CanadianMoFo

I have the no heat at idle problem. It has been discussed several times in the past couple years. Car warms up to temperature, at a stop light the heat starts to fade fast. Comes right back up as soon as you rev the engine a little.

All info on it pointed to the TSB for air in the heater core, making a gurggling noise at start up.

What is missing is anyone reporting back on what the resolution to the issue was. Was it as the TSB suggests, air in the coolant lines needing to be purged? Or was it some other problem.

CM

cyclopsmd

I had this problem. If you download the TSB about the gurgling noise, it walks you through the procedure on how to clear the air out of the coolant lines (which is the problem). It was very easy to do - took about 30 min.
In short, you need a funnel adapter filled with coolant that goes onto your radiator (there is a kit with a part number listed in the TSB that you have to buy for like $20). You jack up the front of your car so your bumper is 24" off the ground (yeah, it's pretty high). You turn on your engine and set the heater to full blast. Then you push the throttle to keep your rpms at 3500 or so for about 5 min. The goal is to get your thermostat to open, which will let in the coolant and release any air bubbles in the system. The important part is to have that funnel thingy and to raise the front of the car up...
Good luck. Worked like a charm for me.

Jon

CanadianMoFo

Thanks for the feedback.

I'm sure the shop working on the car will be frustrated. I might have to *gasp* take it to the dealer by the sounds of the tools required.

DeusExMaxima

iTrader: (1)

I just parked my car on a steep slope and opened the radiator cap and filled it until ut was full, all while engine was running. That worked for me.

CanadianMoFo

http://maxima.theowensfamily.com/tsb/NTB03-072.pdf

FYI the above link to the TSB for this issue. Reasonably long procedure.

CM.

cyclopsmd

It only took me 30 minutes. I did it in my garage... I used the above link...

wolf2989

I have the same problem. I'm guessing this wouldn't be covered under a powertrain warranty would it? If its not how much do you think the stealership is going to rape me for?

xoomer.com

iTrader: (19)

the park on the steep hill worked for many

MaXXXpower

iTrader: (4)

I drove up on ramps, Filled the resevoir to MAX, opened the radiator cap (which was to the top), All while running. Then sat in the car and gave it a lil gas for 1min, trying not to let too much coolant leak out the radiator cap. Also, squeezed the big rubber hose a couple times to make sure no air was trapped in there.
Worked great, no more running water noise when first moving and heats up like a ****.

Porgie

Hey all i have a 2004 Nissan Maxima with 48,000 on it. It is cold in NYC right now... LoL. I noticed when i turned the heater on it throws out cold often luke warm air while te car is idle. When begine to drive it will heat up better... Is this how the Maxima si designed. I had a 96 and the heater would work fine on stand still. Is this an issue. I have to 100,000 Mile bumper to bumper warrenty.. does anyone think this could be addresses under that.. Thanks!

ramberg

iTrader: (29)

I just had that problem. I went to a place on 35th and 4th Ave in Brooklyn and had them Flush and change the anti-freeze. That fixed the problem. 40 dollars plus tax. Also free full service car wash.

brio_max

iTrader: (9)

The heating system is strange.

NismoMax80

iTrader: (6)

There is a TSB for it. also a recent thread discussing fixing it on your own by following the TSB. (you can find it in the TSB Sticky)

brio_max

iTrader: (9)

I found just one TSB about
GAUGES / HVAC / WARNING LIGHTS DO NOT WORK CORRECTLY
Did you mean that one?

NismoMax80

iTrader: (6)

not sure where u went but they're all still there when i looked:

http://x.nissanhelp.com/forums/Knowledgebase/links/211

brio_max

iTrader: (9)

That's the same source i looked at and there's nothing about heating issues

CanadianMoFo

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=546103

NismoMax80

iTrader: (6)

i found it on the 8th page. "gurgling sound...."

CanadianMoFo

TSB did the trick. My mechanic fashioned the filler device as suggested in the TSB. Cost me 1hr of labour to have the TSB performed. He changed the coolant at the same time. All in all a good deal to resolve the issue without a visit to the stealership.

CM

brio_max

iTrader: (9)

Thanks guys!