Coolant: Service and Repair
Changing Engine CoolantWARNING:
^ To avoid being scalded, do not change engine coolant when the engine is hot.
^ Wrap a thick cloth around radiator cap and carefully remove radiator cap. First, turn radiator cap a quarter of a turn to release built-up pressure. Then turn radiator cap all the way.
DRAINING ENGINE COOLANT
1. Remove front engine undercover with power tool.
2. Open radiator drain plug at the bottom of radiator, and then remove radiator cap.
When draining all of engine coolant in the system, open water drain plugs on cylinder block.
3. Remove reservoir tank as necessary, and drain engine coolant and clean reservoir tank before installing.
4. Check drained engine coolant for contaminants such as rust, corrosion or discoloration. If contaminated, flush the engine cooling system.
REFILLING ENGINE COOLANT
1. Install reservoir tank if removed, and radiator drain plug.
CAUTION: Be sure to clean drain plug and install with new O-ring.
Radiator drain plug: 1.18 Nm (0.12 kg-m, 10 inch lbs.)
If water drain plugs on cylinder block are removed, close and tighten them.
2. Make sure that each hose clamp has been firmly tightened.
3. Remove air relief plug on heater hose.
4. Fill radiator, and reservoir tank if removed, to specified level.
^ Pour engine coolant through engine coolant filler neck slowly of less than 2 l (2-1/8 US qt, 1-3/4 Imp qt) a minute to allow air in system to escape.
^ Use Genuine Nissan Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant or equivalent mixed with water (distilled or demineralized)
Engine coolant capacity (With reservoir tank at MAX level): Approximately 8.6 l (9-1/8 US qt, 7-5/8 Imp qt)
Reservoir tank engine coolant capacity (At MAX level): 0.8 l (7/8 US qt, 3/4 Imp qt)
^ When engine coolant overflows air relief hole on heater hose, install air relief plug with new O-ring.
Air relief plug: 1.19 Nm (0.12 kg-m, 11 inch lbs.)
5. Install radiator cap.
6. Warm up until opening thermostat. Standard for warming-up time is approximately 10 minutes at 3,000 Rpm.
^ Make sure thermostat opening condition by touching radiator hose (lower) to see a flow of warm water.
CAUTION: Watch water temperature gauge so as not to overheat engine.
7. Stop the engine and cool down to less than approximately 50°C (122°F).
^ Cool down using fan to reduce the time.
^ If necessary, refill radiator up to filler neck with engine coolant.
8. Refill reservoir tank to MAX level line with engine coolant.
9. Repeat steps 4 through 7 two or more times with radiator cap installed until engine coolant level no longer drops.
10. Check cooling system for leaks with engine running.
11. Warm up the engine, and check for sound of engine coolant flow while running engine from idle up to 3,000 rpm with heater temperature controller set at several position between COOL and WARM.
^ Sound may be noticeable at heater unit.
12. Repeat step 11 three times.
13. If sound is heard, bleed air from cooling system by repeating step 4 through 7 until engine coolant level no longer drops.