Refilling Engine Coolant
REFILLING ENGINE COOLANT1. Install the radiator drain plug. Install the reservoir tank and cylinder block drain plug, if removed for a total system drain or for engine removal or repair.
^ The radiator must be completely empty of coolant and water.
^ Apply sealant to the threads of the cylinder block drain plugs. Use Genuine High Performance Thread Sealant or equivalent.
Radiator drain plug: 7.8 - 11.8 Nm (0.8 - 1.2 kg-m, 69 - 104 inch lbs.)
Cylinder block drain plug: 34 - 44 Nm (3.5 - 4.5 kg-m, 25 - 33 ft. lbs.)
2. If disconnected, reattach the upper radiator hose at the engine side.
3. Set the vehicle heater controls to the full HOT and heater ON position. Turn the vehicle ignition ON with the engine OFF as necessary to activate the heater mode.
4. Install the Tool by installing the radiator cap adapter onto the radiator neck opening. Then attach the gauge body assembly with the refill tube and the venturi assembly to the radiator cap adapter.
5. Insert the refill hose into the coolant mixture container that is placed at floor level. Make sure the ball valve is in the closed position.
^ Use Genuine NISSAN Anti-Freeze Coolant or equivalent, mixed 50/50 with distilled water or demineralized water.
Engine coolant capacity (without reservoir tank): 6.9 L (7 1/4 US qt)
Reservoir tank: 0.7 L (3/4 US qt)
6. Install an air hose to the venturi assembly, the air pressure must be within specification.
Compressed air supply pressure: 5.7 - 8.5 kPa (5.6 - 8.4 kg/cm2, 80 - 120 psi)
CAUTION: The compressed air supply must be equipped with an air dryer.
7. The vacuum gauge will begin to rise and there will be an audible hissing noise. During this process open the ball valve on the refill hose slightly. Coolant will be visible rising in the refill hose. Once the refill hose is full of coolant, close the ball valve. This will purge any air trapped in the refill hose.
8. Continue to draw the vacuum until the gauge reaches 28 inches of vacuum. The gauge may not reach 28 inches in high altitude locations, refer to the vacuum specifications based on the altitude above sea level.
Altitude above sea level Vacuum gauge reading
0 - 100 m (328 ft) : 28 inches of vacuum
300 m (984 ft) : 27 inches of vacuum
500 m (1,641 ft) : 26 inches of vacuum
1,000 m (3,281 ft) : 24 - 25 inches of vacuum
9. When the vacuum gauge has reached the specified amount, disconnect the air hose and wait 20 seconds to see if the system loses any vacuum. If the vacuum level drops, perform any necessary repairs to the system and repeat steps 6 - 8 to bring the vacuum to the specified amount. Recheck for any leaks.
10. Place the coolant container (with the refill hose inserted) at the same level as the top of the radiator. Then open the ball valve on the refill hose so the coolant will be drawn up to fill the cooling system. The cooling system is full when the vacuum gauge reads zero.
CAUTION: Do not allow the coolant container to get too low when filling, to avoid air from being drawn into the cooling system.
11. Remove the Tool from the radiator neck opening.
12. Fill the cooling system reservoir tank to the specified level. Run the engine to warm up the cooling system and top up the system as necessary before installing the radiator cap.