Changing Engine Coolant
Changing Engine CoolantWARNING:
^ To avoid being scalded, never change the engine coolant when the engine is hot.
^ Wrap a thick cloth around 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.
DRAINING ENGINE COOLANT
1. Remove engine undercover with power tool.
2. Open radiator drain plug at the bottom of radiator, and remove radiator cap.
^ Be careful not to allow engine coolant to contact drive belts.
When draining all the engine coolant in the system, also perform the following steps.
3. Remove air relief plug on heater hose.
4. Drain engine coolant from both sides of cylinder block when draining all the engine coolant in the system.
5. Check drained engine coolant for contaminants such as rust, corrosion or discoloration. If contaminated, flush engine cooling system. Refer to "FLUSHING COOLING SYSTEM".
6. Remove reservoir tank, drain engine coolant, then clean reservoir tank.
REFILLING ENGINE COOLANT
1. Install reservoir tank if removed, and radiator drain plug.
Radiator drain plug: 0.78 - 1.56 Nm (0.08 - 0.16 kg-m, 7 - 14 inch lbs.)
2. Install cylinder block drain plugs if removed.
^ Apply thread sealant to the thread of cylinder block drain plugs.
Use Genuine Thread Sealant or equivalent. Refer to "RECOMMENDED CHEMICAL PRODUCTS AND SEALANTS".
Cylinder block drain plug: 14.7 - 24.5 Nm (1.5 - 2.5 kg-m , 11 - 18 ft. lbs.)
3. Fill radiator and reservoir tank to specified level.
^ Use genuine Nissan anti-freeze engine coolant or equivalent mixed with water (distilled or demineralized). Refer to "RECOMMENDED FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS".
Engine coolant capacity (With reservoir tank): Approximately 9.8 liters (10 - 3/8 US quarts, 8 - 5/8 Imp quarts)
Reservoir tank capacity: 0.8 liters (7/8 US quarts, 3/4 Imp quarts)
^ Pour engine coolant through engine coolant filler neck slowly of less than 2 liters (2 - 1/8 US quarts, 1 - 3/4 Imp quarts) a minute to allow air in system to escape.
^ When engine coolant overflows air relief hole on heater hose, install air relief plug.
4. Warm up engine to normal operating temperature with radiator cap installed.
5. Run engine at 3,000 rpm for 10 seconds and return to idle speed. Repeat two or three times. Watch engine coolant temperature gauge so as not to overheat the engine.
6. Stop engine and cool down to less than approximately 50°C (122°F).
^ Cool down using a fan to reduce the time.
^ If necessary, refill radiator up to filler neck with engine coolant.
7. Refill reservoir tank to MAX level line with engine coolant.
8. Repeat steps 4 through 7 two or more times with radiator cap installed until engine coolant level no longer drops.
9. Check cooling system for leaks with engine running.
10. Warm up 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.
11. Repeat step 8 three times.
12. If sound is heard, bleed air from cooling system by repeating steps 4 through 7 until engine coolant level no longer drops.
^ Clean excess engine coolant from engine.