Heres one for you guys that like to ponder other peoples problems. My X-Terra likes to run REALLY hot, almost overheating, when parked for any extended period of time with the engine running and A/C on (10-15 minutes or so). To me this does not seem normal. I was wondering if the fan clutch might be bad or something. Does anyone know if this is a common issue with the X-Terra. Coolant levels are good and no coolant leaks. Just had the intake gaskets replaced when I purchased the vehicle because they were leaking coolant and they checked for a head gasket leak. Help me out here.
Thanks
Mike from NC

easy your fan isnt kicking in to cool the fluid so i would open the hood while it is running and see if the fan kicks in.... let us know what you find out....

I've recently ran into that problem myself - twice now my vehicle has done that when I've sat in heavy traffic for an extended period of time. I have a 2002 Nissan Xterra Supercharge. Currently searching for a trustworthy mechanic as my former mechanic was relocated several hours away, so now I have to find someone I can trust to give me accurate information when it comes to any problems, plus won't overcharge me as well.

I've had the fluids recently changed out, as well as new belts and hoses.

a clogged radiator could be a culprit also a way to check this is touch the rad after its been running, if part of the rad is cold(not blazing hot liek the rest) then you have a clogged rad
our fans dont "kick in" unless you have an early '00 with the electric fan

if you have no electric fan and you rad isnt clogged then your fan clutch is going out or has gone out already

also, a way to keep it a lil cooler in traffic on the way home today if that when you will check the xterra is put it in neutral and rev the engine up, this will turn the fan faster and pull more air thru the radiator and condensor, this procedure however is not very effective if you have a bad fan clutch, to check the fan clutch when the truck/engine is OFF reach in and turn the fan by hand, the more resistance you have the better shape your fan clutch is in, if you have lil resistance then your fan clutch is bad

the 00 X didn't have a e-fan for the radiator it had a fan for the a/c condenser... mine has one and it is on the outside behind the grill

right i know, a bud at my job has one, i checked it out, still helps bc the air that blows thru the condensor still goes thru the rad, but the heat from the condensor offsets most of it though

LOL dustin im sure you knew that.. LOL

Before you start the X, remove rad cap. Let idle till it warms up. Do you see water moving?
I have had water pumps get weak before they go out. Over the years have you ever flushed and cleaned it out? Changed coolant?
Just another nickel in the pot. Good-luck!

Jason did you ever find out what turns that e-fan fan on?? I jumped the wires and mine works, I also noticed its a 2 speed fan, 1 set of wires for low and one for high.. I just dont know what activates it, I tried turning on the AC and the defrost and both times I got nothing..

Radiator flush maybe?

Try "HEATER HOTTER." This stuff is a direct replacement for your antifreeze. It is a 18/1 mix if I can remember correctly. But make sure to flush out your old antifreeze. This means:
1 open fill cap
2 open lines at bottom of radiator
3 put a water hose in the filler cap and flush for a few hours
4 put all lines back together and fill radiator with straight water and let engine run for 30 min.
5 repeat setps 1 thru 3
6 put system back togehter and fill with water (de-ionized or distilled) and mix with heater hotter

do you have a body lift? it can affect the fan's position near the shroud, which will drasticly change the airflow.
radiator flush is good, and make sure you have a good coolant/water mix ratio.