Changing Engine Coolant

Draining

WARNING:
^ Never change engine coolant when the engine is hot to avoid being scalded.
^ 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.





1. Open radiator drain plug (2) at the bottom of radiator, and then remove radiator cap.
1: Engine under cover
A: Radiator drain plug hole
<---: Vehicle front
When draining all of engine coolant in the system, open water drain plugs on cylinder block.
2. Remove reservoir tank as necessary, and drain engine coolant and clean reservoir tank before installing.
3. Check drained engine coolant for contaminants such as rust, corrosion or discoloration.
If contaminated, flush the engine cooling system.

Refilling
1. Remove engine cover.
2. Install reservoir tank if removed, and radiator drain plug.

CAUTION:
Be sure to clean drain plug and install with new O-ring.
Tightening torque: Refer to CO-13, "Exploded View". Service and Repair
If water drain plugs on cylinder block are removed, close and tighten them.

3. Check that each hose clamp has been firmly tightened.





4. Remove air relief plug (2) on radiator left side.
1: Reservoir tank
3: Engine cover
<---: Vehicle front





5. Remove air relief plug (1) on heater hose.
2: Heater hose
<---: Vehicle front





6. 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): Refer to CO-25, "Periodical Maintenance Specification". Capacity Specifications





Reservoir tank engine coolant capacity (At "MAX" level): Refer to CO-25, "Periodical Maintenance Specification". Capacity Specifications
A MAX
B MIN
7. When engine coolant overflows air relief hole on radiator, install air relief plug with new O-ring.
Tightening torque: Refer to CO-13, "Exploded View". Service and Repair
8. Repeat step 6.
9. When engine coolant overflows air relief hole on heater hose, install air relief plug with new O-ring. Then refill radiator with engine coolant.
Torque: 1.2 Nm (0.12 kg-m, 11 in-lb)
10. Install radiator cap.
11. Warm up engine until opening thermostat. Standard for warming-up time is approximately 10 minutes at 3,000 rpm.
^ Check 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.

12. 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.
13. Refill reservoir tank to "MAX" level line with engine coolant.
14. Repeat steps 10 through 13 two or more times with radiator cap installed until engine coolant level no longer drops.
15. Check cooling system for leakage with engine running.
16. 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.
17. Repeat step 16 three times.
18. If sound is heard, bleed air from cooling system by repeating step 6, and steps from 10 to 17 until engine coolant level no longer drops.
19. Check that the reservoir tank cap is tightened.

Flushing
1. Install reservoir tank if removed, and radiator drain plug.

CAUTION:
Be sure to clean drain plug and install with new O-ring.
Tightening torque: Refer to CO-13, "Exploded View". Service and Repair
If water drain plugs on cylinder block are removed, close and tighten them.





2. Remove air relief plug (1) on heater hose.
2: Heater hose
<---: Vehicle front





3. Remove air relief plug (2) on radiator.
1: Reservoir tank
3: Engine cover
<---: Vehicle front
4. Fill radiator with water until water spills from the air relief holes, then close air relief plugs. Fill radiator and reservoir tank with water and reinstall radiator cap.
Tightening torque: Refer to CO-13, "Exploded View". Service and Repair
5. Run the engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.
6. Rev the engine two or three times under no-load.
7. Stop the engine and wait until it cools down.
8. Drain water from the system.
9. Repeat steps 1 through 8 until clear water begins to drain from radiator.
10. Check that the reservoir tank cap is tightened.