Heater Core Follow Up
#1
Heater Core Follow Up
In case anyone cares, or happens to need this info, I found this site that documents the heater core replacement:
http://www.btinternet.com/~d.brooks1...lownecufix.htm
Yes, it's about replacing an ECU, but it mentions the entire process of replacing the heater core as well. The dude's in the UK, so grain of salt - right hand drive Maxima.
I just did the job following the instructions and ended up with perfect results. Here's the pain:
After the complete demolition:
http://www.mindspring.com/~gruven/maxima/before.jpg
Post ressurection:
http://www.mindspring.com/~gruven/maxima/after.jpg
And if someone had only stolen the car when it was:
http://www.mindspring.com/~gruven/maxima/detail.jpg
For anyone doing this task, it sucked. Took me about 14 hours. The ac didn't need to be discharged (despite other opinions). And the dealer technician that I spoke with that quoted me 4.5 hours, I should've taken him up on that because he had NO IDEA what he was talking about. He told me the ac needed to be discharged and the dash didn't need to come out...Both of which are completely wrong. Anyway, I'm so glad it's over and everything still works.
http://www.btinternet.com/~d.brooks1...lownecufix.htm
Yes, it's about replacing an ECU, but it mentions the entire process of replacing the heater core as well. The dude's in the UK, so grain of salt - right hand drive Maxima.
I just did the job following the instructions and ended up with perfect results. Here's the pain:
After the complete demolition:
http://www.mindspring.com/~gruven/maxima/before.jpg
Post ressurection:
http://www.mindspring.com/~gruven/maxima/after.jpg
And if someone had only stolen the car when it was:
http://www.mindspring.com/~gruven/maxima/detail.jpg
For anyone doing this task, it sucked. Took me about 14 hours. The ac didn't need to be discharged (despite other opinions). And the dealer technician that I spoke with that quoted me 4.5 hours, I should've taken him up on that because he had NO IDEA what he was talking about. He told me the ac needed to be discharged and the dash didn't need to come out...Both of which are completely wrong. Anyway, I'm so glad it's over and everything still works.
#2
Been there and done that. Only thing is Courtesy gave me a VG core for my VE. GRRRRR But I made it work with some hose adaptors. I only found out that the core's in/outlet diameters were different AFTER putting the thing in. Courtesy said, "no problem, just return it and we will switch it". Oh hell no!
My dealer quoted like $900+ because of the extensive labor.
I was the same as you. I didn't have to detach any ac hoses either.
My dealer quoted like $900+ because of the extensive labor.
I was the same as you. I didn't have to detach any ac hoses either.
#3
Ya, almost a grand sounds more realistic to me. And when I finally got that original core out, I was hoping and praying with my fingers crossed that they had got me the right replacement. Been there done that not having the right part when you need it because someone somewhere made a typo...Ya, sure, I'll just rent another hoist, pull the motor, take off the head, bla bla bla...Pacino's got the right quote for that one:
"Don't waste my muthafuc/<in time!"
"Don't waste my muthafuc/<in time!"
#4
Heater core/dash removal
I am taking my dash apart right now to replace the heater core. How did you get the dash past the tilt steering ****? No matter how i look at it i cant get it past that stupid ****. Itherwise i could pull the dash out.
#5
Re: Heater core/dash removal
Originally posted by haloboy84
How did you get the dash past the tilt steering ****?
How did you get the dash past the tilt steering ****?
Before taking out the dash, the steering wheel, ignition, etc (the whole column) will be sitting about 5 inches from the drivers side floorpan.
If you look at:
http://www.mindspring.com/~gruven/maxima/detail.jpg
You'll see what I'm talking about.
#6
I finally got it done. It took me about 9 hours including a lunch break. Would have been done sooner but had to find clamps for my radiator hoses since i had bypassed the heater core for a while. All in all it was a bigger job then i thought. I know why my father, who is a mechanic by trade, comes home everyday and says hes tired. Its a pain in the butt to be slumping in a car and over a hood all day. ANd thanks for the pics they came in handy.
#7
Ive gone through the same grief, replaced the core. Now i must have forgotten something cuz for the life of it i cant get any heat out of it. I know the core is getting coolant and there are no clogs, Is there a sensore or switch,harness,assembly i may have forgotten?
#8
oh my gawd - i just went thru this a few weeks ago. make sure to get a new heater core - my uncle said that with all the disassembly you have to do, better get a new one than patch up an old core.
as for not getting any heat? did you put the 2 cables back in the right way?(fresh air vent, heater core vent). how about which vents were open/closed when you dissasembled it? there's also the motor switch that opens and closes the vents - must be put back the right way. I broke one of these vent covers after forcing out the duct, good thing i put together models and used the plastic cement to glue it back together.
anyways, good luck finding the source of your problem. hope this gives you something to start with
as for not getting any heat? did you put the 2 cables back in the right way?(fresh air vent, heater core vent). how about which vents were open/closed when you dissasembled it? there's also the motor switch that opens and closes the vents - must be put back the right way. I broke one of these vent covers after forcing out the duct, good thing i put together models and used the plastic cement to glue it back together.
anyways, good luck finding the source of your problem. hope this gives you something to start with
#9
This thread reminds me why I havn't done this yet. If I imagine myself on the beach while I'm driving in the miserable south Jersey winter, I can sort of feel heat coming out the vents instead of semi warm/cool air. And yesterday on the highway, I actually got warm! If I keep the revs at 3K I get some heat, too bad that's a little high for the 35 mph speed limit the whole way to work every freezing morning! My parents live in Florida..they have an extra bedroom. Mom, Dad, I'm on my way!
#11
Re: heater issue
Originally posted by tmuscedere
For those of you that have done the heater core, can anyone tell me what kind of temperature they are getting out of it with the settings being full hot and full blower?
For those of you that have done the heater core, can anyone tell me what kind of temperature they are getting out of it with the settings being full hot and full blower?
#13
Re: Re: Re: heater issue
Originally posted by 90Maxima
nah man, i cant even get enough heat to defrost the windows. I cant possibly imagine why mine doesnt have any heat.
nah man, i cant even get enough heat to defrost the windows. I cant possibly imagine why mine doesnt have any heat.
#14
Re: Re: Re: Re: heater issue
Ditto. Check the temp gauge on the cluster and make sure the coolant system is working correctly. May want to check the thermostat -- that was the first of my Maxima's issues. It would take a LONG time before heat ever came up - thermostat was staying closed and never opening. Fixed that and the next winter the heater core leaked. Car must want to go back to Florida or something...
The thermostat is a long shot, but drive around for like 30-40 minutes. If still no heat, and coolant system is up to temp (and not overheating), I'd say you have to go back to the dash mess and make sure you have the vent flap re-installed correctly. Make sure it works too...
The thermostat is a long shot, but drive around for like 30-40 minutes. If still no heat, and coolant system is up to temp (and not overheating), I'd say you have to go back to the dash mess and make sure you have the vent flap re-installed correctly. Make sure it works too...
#15
heating
If someone could do me this favour I would greatly appreciate it. With a hot engine and the heater on full and the blower on full could someone give me the temperature of the air that comes out of their heating. Please use the front panel ducts for this test. If possible need actual temperature of air.
#16
Re: heating
Originally posted by tmuscedere
If someone could do me this favour I would greatly appreciate it. With a hot engine and the heater on full and the blower on full could someone give me the temperature of the air that comes out of their heating. Please use the front panel ducts for this test. If possible need actual temperature of air.
If someone could do me this favour I would greatly appreciate it. With a hot engine and the heater on full and the blower on full could someone give me the temperature of the air that comes out of their heating. Please use the front panel ducts for this test. If possible need actual temperature of air.
#17
heating
The reason that I am asking is that when the weather is from 32F to about 40F the heater is fine. As soon as my the outside temperature drops below freezing my heater has a hard time getting the car warm. Yes I have changed the thermostat and checked all the valves and checked the operation of all the stepper motors for the heating system. My only recourse is the heating core itself. I dont know if its just the heating systems on these cars that stink or do I have a problem?
#18
I think from all these threads and all the strange problems these cars have, it must be that the heaters stink. I have never seen a car where the two left vents blow warm and the right vents blow cold. Is the duct work separate in these cars?
I think these cars are simply known for many different bugs...heat...Bose stereos...faulty radio antennas...etc. Of course, mine is 14 years old and you can expect it. But I have to admit, the heater issues are illogical sometimes.
RickC
I think these cars are simply known for many different bugs...heat...Bose stereos...faulty radio antennas...etc. Of course, mine is 14 years old and you can expect it. But I have to admit, the heater issues are illogical sometimes.
RickC
#19
RE: Heater
Well i have had my maxima 4 years and its 13 years old. The heat was messed up till i replaced the core. Now if you dont make very sure you put it together right you will probably get the problems you stated. I myself had forgotten to plug in the connector for the controls that change the airflow from top to bottom to vent, on my 89 GXE. So i was getting wierd airflow problems. but i fixed that real quick. cant be having air flow problems in the car when you got friends with you.
#22
Yes, take your time doing it, take pictures if you have to during the process and make sure that everything is plugged back in as you took it out. For me it took 2 people 11 hours to do but luckily I had no problems afterwards.
#23
Originally posted by tmuscedere
Yes, take your time doing it, take pictures if you have to during the process and make sure that everything is plugged back in as you took it out. For me it took 2 people 11 hours to do but luckily I had no problems afterwards.
Yes, take your time doing it, take pictures if you have to during the process and make sure that everything is plugged back in as you took it out. For me it took 2 people 11 hours to do but luckily I had no problems afterwards.
Ok great, I have digital camera!
where can i buy and how much for the heater core??
#25
Heater Core source
The dealership in question is Scottsdale (AZ) Infiniti. Sorry I don't have a number for them, but they do have a website and a toll free number. They quoted me $131.89 for the core, special order only, and they're charging $10.30 to ship to Albuquerque. Darn good deal.
#26
Originally Posted by tmuscedere
The reason that I am asking is that when the weather is from 32F to about 40F the heater is fine. As soon as my the outside temperature drops below freezing my heater has a hard time getting the car warm. Yes I have changed the thermostat and checked all the valves and checked the operation of all the stepper motors for the heating system. My only recourse is the heating core itself. I dont know if its just the heating systems on these cars that stink or do I have a problem?
#27
Anyone that is having to replace the heater core is in for a big surprise when you think it doesn't take that long. Took some guys and I ten hours to get it all done...... if you don't believe me, check out this pic and the link to more pix underneath it
Some more heater core pix
Some more heater core pix
#28
Aaron, I also have an 89, but mine's a GXE. I've got the dash totally stripped down, crash bar removed, but now I'm nervous about removing the heater core assembly. With all the cables and doors, etc, I'm convinced I'm going to screw up. Any tips on getting that big black box out?
A friend of mine (Nissan dealership mechanic) says the Freon needs to be drained before I can proceed, but nobody else mentions that. So, how do I get the core out without draining Freon?
A friend of mine (Nissan dealership mechanic) says the Freon needs to be drained before I can proceed, but nobody else mentions that. So, how do I get the core out without draining Freon?
#29
Originally Posted by Cassio
Aaron, I also have an 89, but mine's a GXE. I've got the dash totally stripped down, crash bar removed, but now I'm nervous about removing the heater core assembly. With all the cables and doors, etc, I'm convinced I'm going to screw up. Any tips on getting that big black box out?
A friend of mine (Nissan dealership mechanic) says the Freon needs to be drained before I can proceed, but nobody else mentions that. So, how do I get the core out without draining Freon?
A friend of mine (Nissan dealership mechanic) says the Freon needs to be drained before I can proceed, but nobody else mentions that. So, how do I get the core out without draining Freon?
#30
Thanks everybody!!
I finally finished my heater core replacement last weekend (I was working alone). Thanks everybody for your help and suggestions. As soon as they fix the site, I'm definitely becoming a paying participant. This thread alone saved me $700.
#31
Originally Posted by tmuscedere
The reason that I am asking is that when the weather is from 32F to about 40F the heater is fine. As soon as my the outside temperature drops below freezing my heater has a hard time getting the car warm. Yes I have changed the thermostat and checked all the valves and checked the operation of all the stepper motors for the heating system. My only recourse is the heating core itself. I dont know if its just the heating systems on these cars that stink or do I have a problem?
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