Coolant: Service and Repair
ENGINE COOLANT
Changing Engine Coolant
WARNING:
- To avoid being scalded, do not change engine coolant when engine is hot.
- Wrap a thick cloth around radiator cap and carefully remove the cap. First, turn the cap a quarter of a turn to release built-up pressure. Then turn the cap all the way.
CAUTION:
- Do not spill engine coolant on drive belt.
DRAINING ENGINE COOLANT
1. Open radiator drain plug (1) at the bottom of radiator, and then remove radiator cap.
- Arrow Indicates Front
When draining all of engine coolant in the system, open water drain plug on cylinder block. Refer to Disassembly And Assembly.
CAUTION:
- Perform this step when engine is cold.
- Do not spill engine coolant on drive belt.
2. Remove reservoir tank as necessary, and drain engine coolant and clean reservoir tank before installing. Refer to Service and Repair.
3. Check drained engine coolant for contaminants such as rust, corrosion or discoloration.
If contaminated, flush the engine cooling system.
REFILLING ENGINE COOLANT
1. 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. Refer to Fluid Type Specifications.
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.
Tool number : KV991J0070 (J-45695)
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 Long Life Anti-freeze coolant or equivalent, mixed with distilled water or demineralized water. Refer to Maintenance.
Engine coolant capacity with reservoir tank) : Refer to "Fluids and Lubricants". Maintenance
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, use the vacuum specifications based on the altitude above sea level.
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 and install the radiator cap. Run the engine to warm up the cooling system and top up the system as necessary.
FLUSHING COOLING SYSTEM
1. Install reservoir tank if removed. Refer to Service and Repair.
2. Install radiator drain plug.
- If water drain plug on cylinder block is removed, close and tighten it. Refer to Disassembly And Assembly.
CAUTION:
Be sure to clean radiator drain plug and install with new O-ring. Refer to Service and Repair.
3. Fill radiator and reservoir tank with water and reinstall radiator cap.
4. Run engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.
5. Rev engine two or three times under no-load.
6. Stop engine and wait until it cools down.
7. Drain water from the cooling system.
8. Repeat steps 1 through 7 until clear water begins to drain from radiator.