The temperatures have been mild this spring/early summer in the northeast. When I set the temperature control to the lowest setting the air from the vents is atleast 10 degrees (F) warmer than the outside air temperature. Is there a door/louver/deflector in the dash that is not closing completely and allowing heated air in the vent system?
Thanks
ventilation
-
Crazy Jake
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:29 am
- Car: 2009 Nissan Rogue SL, Venom Red, Leather, Moonroof
-
kerrton
- Posts: 2161
- Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:48 am
- Car: 2008 Nissan Rogue SL FWD Gotham Gray
- Location: Southern Alberta, Canada
Re: ventilation (Crazy Jake)
I think all vehicles are like that to some degree, it's because the ventilation conduits run inside the vehicle and come into proximity with heat from the engine etc.., so it is impossible for the air in the conduits to maintain the same temp as outside. This would vary depending on the design for the conduits (i.e. their pathway and how close they run to heat sources), and insulation between the conduit and heat sources.
My Rogue is the same way, I agree it is annoying because on a cool day you don't want to feel warm air coming in from the vents, the only option to reducet his effect is to increase the fan speed which increases the flow rate of the air through the conduit and minimizes heat transfer, so the faster it flows the cooler it should be because it spends less time in the conduit which is when it gets heated up.
My Rogue is the same way, I agree it is annoying because on a cool day you don't want to feel warm air coming in from the vents, the only option to reducet his effect is to increase the fan speed which increases the flow rate of the air through the conduit and minimizes heat transfer, so the faster it flows the cooler it should be because it spends less time in the conduit which is when it gets heated up.
-
philipa_240sx
- Posts: 3808
- Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:30 am
- Location: Canada
Re: ventilation (kerrton)
I think there are a combination of things going on here and it's a function of how the system is designed:
1) The fresh air intake plenum is located at the rear of the engine compartment along the firewall. The plenum is made of steel and is insulated somewhat, however engine heat is still being transferred to the plenum warming the incoming fresh air.
2) The heater core does not contain a valve to 'turn off' the heat. Instead a 'air mix door' is used to block off the heater core when full cold is selected. This door may not be sealing completely. Another possibility is that since the heater core is only blocked off at the air inlet, heat could still be escaping and mixing with the cool air at the outlet.
Regardless, it's annoying that you cannot get cold outside air when needed.
This problem exists to varying degrees with many other Nissan's and other makes as well. My '03 Altima exhibited a similar issue and to a lesser extent, my '87 Pathfinder and '90 240SX.
Short of a complete redesign, I doubt there is much we can do about it.
1) The fresh air intake plenum is located at the rear of the engine compartment along the firewall. The plenum is made of steel and is insulated somewhat, however engine heat is still being transferred to the plenum warming the incoming fresh air.
2) The heater core does not contain a valve to 'turn off' the heat. Instead a 'air mix door' is used to block off the heater core when full cold is selected. This door may not be sealing completely. Another possibility is that since the heater core is only blocked off at the air inlet, heat could still be escaping and mixing with the cool air at the outlet.
Regardless, it's annoying that you cannot get cold outside air when needed.
This problem exists to varying degrees with many other Nissan's and other makes as well. My '03 Altima exhibited a similar issue and to a lesser extent, my '87 Pathfinder and '90 240SX.
Short of a complete redesign, I doubt there is much we can do about it.