The Nissan Path

Not 100% sure which category this falls under, but throwing it out there in case anyone has had the same issue. (Moderator, please feel free to move to the appropriate board).

2006 Pathfinder SE w/ 89k miles

Having an issue where in the winter, after the car warms up and the heater has been pumping warm air for 15'ish minutes, it start blowing cold air out of the dash and footwell vents on the drivers side. Presumably it's cold air from the outside. The vents in the center and passenger side (dash and footwell) continue to blow warm'ish air. Vents in back seat and way back still blow warm air as well. Doesn't seem to matter if the heat is on auto or manual setting.

I've had the radiator flushed and filled (2 months ago) and the dealer did find a valve that was bad by the firewall that was causing a coolant leak (yesterday). But the issue is back. Possible it's got something to do with the dampers (or whatever they are called) behind the vents?

Anyone seen this before?

I've had good luck with the dealer repair shop and I'm content to maintain that relationship in case the coolant VS transmission issue ever pops up.

THANKS!

Did you ever burp the system as was advised in your prior post? It sounds like classic air pockets in the coolant system. Usually worse at low speeds or when idling.

Yep. Twice as a matter of fact. No noticeable improvement that I could tell. There seem to be similar issues (but other manufacturers) that point towards blocked or bad heater core or possibly faulty blend doors. So was just curious if anyone else had tried to burp w/o luck and continued to investigate. Thanks!

I've heard of a couple of bad heater pumps. You said they replaced a bad valve at the firewall; was it the heater pump on the driver's side of the firewall that they replaced or the plastic pipe assembly on the passenger side of the firewall?

This is exactly my problem. Went to Nissan and the guys told me that usually it is a problem with the electrical motor that combine hot and cold air for the driver side (it is located on the passenger side). Some worn plastic gears inside it. I don't know what to say, if the motor is bad than why I have warm air for 10 minutes or so? Couldn't be a defective interior temp sensor?

defender wrote:This is exactly my problem. Went to Nissan and the guys told me that usually it is a problem with the electrical motor that combine hot and cold air for the driver side (it is located on the passenger side). Some worn plastic gears inside it. I don't know what to say, if the motor is bad than why I have warm air for 10 minutes or so? Couldn't be a defective interior temp sensor?

Sounds like they are talking about the mode door actuator. They do have plastic gears inside and they can get stripped over time. There are three or four of them on the heating and cooling unit and you have to pull the entire dash to replace any of them. They usually cost about $35 each.

They told me 350 USD each.

No, not actuators...unless they are including installation! Genuine Nissan units go for under $30 from online dealers. Refer the following part codes on the diagram linked below: 27443M, 27443MA, 27443MB:

http://www.nissanpartsdeal.com/parts-li ... -unit.html

Uau! Those parts costs about 350 USD a piece without installation. I've checked with Nissan dealer this morning.

Well, if they are charging you $350 a piece, the dealer is ripping you off. Nissan MSRP for the three actuators combined is only $90.

I have the spanish made Pathfinder, 2.5 diesel, YD25. I wonder if american actuators fit so I can order from there.