Coolant System Bleed Procedure
COOLING SYSTEM BLEED PROCEDURE^ Steps 3 through 9 in this procedure describe making and using a cooling system "bleed" tool.
^ However, you can use a commercially available funnel-type coolant refill "bleed" tool, such as Lisle(R) Spill-Free Funnel Tool #285-LIS-22150. See Figure 3.
^ The above tool is available from TECH-MATE.
^ If a funnel-type tool is used, refer to the instructions that come with the tool for proper usage.
Remove All Air Bubbles (Bleed) the Cooling System as Follows:
1. Check the coolant level in the radiator (see Figure 4 above).
a. If the coolant level is up to the radiator filler neck, proceed with step 3.
b. If the coolant level is NOT up to the radiator filler neck, perform step 2, and then proceed with step 3.
c. If, for whatever reason, the radiator is drained, use Engine Coolant Refill Tool #J-45695 to fill the radiator, and then proceed with step 3.
NOTE:
Refer to NTB02-011a for Engine Coolant Refill Tool #J-45695 information.
2. Slowly fill the radiator and reservoir tank to the specified level (see Figure 4).
^ Make sure to use a 50/50 coolant mixture.
^ Pour coolant into radiator filler neck slowly (less than 3 - liters 3-1/8 quarts per minute) to allow air in the cooling system to escape.
^ Gently squeeze the upper radiator hose while filling. This will help purge air from the system.
^ Continue to fill until the coolant level stays up at the top of the radiator filler neck.
NOTE:
^ Use Genuine Nissan Anti-freeze Coolant, mixed 50/50 with distilled water or de-mineralized water.
^ Refer to the MA section of the applicable Service Manual (ESM) under "Recommended Fluids and Lubricants" for additional information.
^ Engine coolant capacity (with reservoir tank) is:
7.5 liters (7-7/8 quarts) for vehicles equipped with the 4-cylinder engine (QR25DE)
8.1 liters (8-5/8 quarts) for vehicles equipped with the 6-cylinder engine (VQ35DE)
^ Reservoir tank capacity is:
0.7 liters (3/4 quart) for both the QR25DE and VQ35DE engines
3. Install a wire under the radiator cap pressure valve to allow air and coolant to flow through freely (see Figure 5).
NOTE:
Make sure the wire you install is at least 2 mm [0.079 in] in diameter. A wire less than 2 mm in diameter will not allow air to escape quickly and will not bleed the cooling system properly. Do not use a paper clip or other thin wire for this operation.
4. After installing the wire in the radiator cap, install the cap on the radiator
5. Disconnect the coolant reservoir hose from the radiator filler neck overflow port.
6. Make a coolant system "bleed" tool as follows:
a. Obtain a one-gallon plastic bottle (e.g., empty windshield washer fluid bottle, etc.).
NOTE:
If available, you can use an old coolant overflow reservoir bottle, as long as the drain is at the bottom of the bottle.
b. Obtain a length (approximately 3 feet) of rubber hose that will fit onto the radiator filler neck overflow port.
c. Cut a hole in the bottom of the plastic bottle that is smaller in diameter than the outside diameter of the rubber hose. It has to seal.
d. Insert the rubber hose into the hole in the bottom of the plastic bottle. There should be a tight fit (interference fit) between the hose and bottle hole that will prevent leakage.
e. Connect the other end of the hose to the radiator filler neck overflow port.
7. Fill the modified one-gallon bottle to about 3/4 full with a 50/50 coolant mixture.
8. Hang the bottle from the hood latch (see Figure 6).
WARNING:
Make sure the hood is properly supported to hold the additional weight of the bottle filled with coolant mixture.
9. Set the heater controls as follows:
Vehicles with Manual A/C:
^ A/C off.
^ Temperature set to full HOT
^ Mode control set to Floor/Defrost
^ Fan speed set to HIGH
Vehicles with Automatic A/C:
^ Temperature set to 90°F (30°C)
^ Fan speed set to HIGH
10. Make sure the transmission is in the Park ("P") position (for automatic transmission) or the Neutral ("N") position (for manual transmission).
11. Firmly apply the parking brake and place blocks in front of and behind the rear wheels.
12. Raise the front of the vehicle
^ The bottom of the front bumper "fascia" needs to be approximately 22 inches (558 mm) from the ground.
^ This will help air bubbles (that may be "caught" in the cooling system) to escape.
13. Run the engine at 1,500 RPM (occasionally revving the engine).
^ Make sure the coolant level in the plastic bottle does not drop below 1/4 of the bottle's capacity.
^ Keep the engine running until the cooling fans turn on (approximately 20 - 25 minutes), and
^ Make sure that no more bubbles are seen in the "bleed" tool (bottle).
^ To help dislodge air bubbles, gently squeeze the upper radiator hose a few times while the engine is running.
CAUTION:
Watch the coolant temperature gauge to make sure the engine does not overheat.
14. Shut OFF the engine and allow it to cool to less than approximately 122°F (50°C).
^ To reduce the amount of cool-down time, use a fan to blow air across the radiator.
Finish the Coolant Re-filling Procedure as Follows:
15. Crimp the bleed tool hose near the radiator and disconnect it from the filler neck overflow port
^ The bleed tool (bottle and hose) will no longer be needed.
16. Carefully remove the radiator cap.
WARNING:
Use extreme caution when removing the radiator cap.
17. Reconnect the coolant reservoir hose to the radiator filler neck overflow port.
^ Confirm the reservoir tank is filled to the MAX level line with the specified coolant mixture (see Figure 4).
^ Then re-install the reservoir cap.
18. Fill the radiator with the specified coolant mixture to the top of the filler neck (see Figure 4).
19. Remove the wire from the radiator cap (see Figure 7).
20. Inspect the radiator cap condition.
A. The Black Rubber Gasket should be smaller in diameter than the Metal Plunger under it (see Figure A 1).
If the Metal Plunger can be seen around the edge of the Black Rubber Gasket, and the gasket is clean without any deposits of a waxy residue or foreign material, the gasket is OK.
NOTE:
Make sure you pressure test the radiator cap and confirm it opens and closes at the correct specifications.
B. If the Metal Plunger cannot be seen around the edge of the Black Rubber Gasket (see Figure A2), the radiator cap must be replaced.
^ Thoroughly wipe out the radiator filler neck to remove any waxy residue or foreign material.
^ Install a new radiator cap.
C. If the Metal Plunger can be seen around the edge of the Black Rubber Gasket, but there are deposits of waxy residue or foreign material on the gasket or the metal retainer (see Figure A3), the radiator cap must be replaced.
^ Thoroughly wipe out the radiator filler neck to remove any waxy residue or foreign material.
^ Install a new radiator cap.
21. Install the radiator cap on the radiator, making sure it is turned to the fully locked position.
22. Clean/remove excess coolant from the engine and engine compartment.
23. Run the engine and check the cooling system for leaks.
24. Test the heater performance to verify the repair.