Coolant: Service and Repair
Changing Engine Coolant [VQ40DE]WARNING:
- To avoid being scalded, never change the coolant when the engine is hot.
- Wrap a thick cloth around the cap to carefully remove the cap. First, turn the cap a quarter of a turn to release any built-up pressure, then push down and turn the cap all the way to remove it.
DRAINING ENGINE COOLANT
1. Turn ignition switch ON and set temperature control lever all the way to HOT position or the highest temperature position. Wait 10 seconds and turn ignition switch OFF.
2. Remove the engine front undercover using power tool.
3. Open the radiator drain plug at the bottom of the radiator, and remove the reservoir cap. This is the only step required when partially draining the cooling system (radiator only).
CAUTION: Do not allow the coolant to contact the drive belts.
4. When draining all of the coolant in the system for engine removal or repair, it is necessary to drain the cylinder block. Remove the cylinder block drain plugs (A), (B), (C), (D) and block heater if equipped, to drain the cylinder block as shown.
NOTE: For Canada, the (D) cylinder block drain plug as shown, is not a cylinder block drain plug but a block heater.
5. Remove the reservoir tank to drain the engine coolant, then clean the reservoir tank before installing it.
6. Check the drained coolant for contaminants such as rust, corrosion or discoloration. If the coolant is contaminated, flush the engine cooling system. Follow the "Flushing Cooling System" procedure.
REFILLING ENGINE COOLANT
1. Close the radiator drain plug. Install the reservoir tank, cylinder block drain plugs (A), (B), (C), (D) and block heater if equipped, 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 (A), (B), (C), (D). Use Genuine High Performance Thread Sealant or equivalent. Refer to [Recommended Chemical Products and Sealants].
- Tighten each plug to the specified torque. Refer to [Engine Unit: Disassembly and Assembly].
2. 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.
3. Remove the vented reservoir cap and replace it with a non-vented reservoir cap before filling the cooling system.
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 recommended coolant or equivalent. Refer to [Recommended Fluids and Lubricants].
Cooling system capacity (with reservoir) : Refer to [Recommended Fluids and Lubricants].
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.
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 and install the radiator cap.
12. Remove the non-vented reservoir cap.
13. 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 vented reservoir cap.
FLUSHING COOLING SYSTEM
1. Drain the water from the engine cooling system. Refer to [Changing Engine Coolant [VQ40DE]].
2. Fill the radiator and the reservoir tank (to the MAX line), with water. Reinstall the radiator cap and leave the vented reservoir cap off.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Press the engine accelerator two or three times under no-load.
5. Stop the engine and wait until it cools down.
6. Drain the water from the engine cooling system. Refer to [Changing Engine Coolant [VQ40DE]].
7. Repeat steps 2 through 6 until clear water begins to drain from the radiator.