1993 Nissan Maxima heater core or blower (fan) + 1

TREP

MEMBER
1993 NISSAN MAXIMA
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

I have a '93 Nissan Maxima GXE with 150k on the engine. I'm having two current issues. First, when the car is running a smoke will emit from the defrost vents causing the window to fog up. I still get hot air and this fog goes away after the car runs for long enough. I heard this is probably the heater core or fan? Ideas? Second, because of this fog/smoke problem I had my car parked all winter on a hill. When I went to move the car this spring the rear wheels were stuck. Locked ebrake? Somethin' else? Thank you so much for your time and insight into how I might go about fixing it.

1 Reply

BUDDYCRAIGG

MECHANIC
2,262 POSTS

If it's fishy smelling mist coming from the vents then it's a heater core, but it wouldn't stop after a while of driving, it would infact get worse.

If it's smoke, then you need to find the cause right now, as that is a fire hazard.

About it not being able to move.
The brake pads have probably rusted to the rotors.
This could happen on 1 wheel or all 4.
Or
The metal backing plate of the pads have rusted, the rusted metal has expanded, and is now squeezing on the rotor just as if you had the parking brake on.
This happens most often in the rear.