Changing Engine Coolant
ENGINE COOLANT
Changing Engine Coolant
WARNING:
- To avoid being scalded, never change engine coolant when engine is hot.
- Wrap a thick cloth around radiator cap and carefully remove radiator cap. First, turn radiator cap a quarter of a turn to release built-up pressure. Then turn radiator cap all the way.
DRAINING ENGINE COOLANT
1. Remove engine room cover (RH and LH). Refer to Component Removal and Installation.
2. Remove engine cover with power tool. Refer to Removal and Installation.
3. Open radiator drain plug at the bottom of radiator, and then remove radiator cap.
When draining all of engine coolant in the system, open water drain plugs on cylinder block. Refer to Disassembly and Assembly.
4. Remove reservoir tank if necessary, and drain engine coolant and clean reservoir tank before installing.
5. Check drained engine coolant for contaminants such as rust, corrosion or discoloration. If contaminated, flush the engine cooling system. Refer to "FLUSHING COOLING SYSTEM".
REFILLING ENGINE COOLANT
1. Install reservoir tank if removed and radiator drain plug.
CAUTION:
Be sure to clean radiator drain plug and install with new O-ring.
Radiator drain plug:
Torque: 1.2 N�m (0.12 kg-m, 11 in-lb)
If water drain plugs on cylinder block are removed, close and tighten them. Refer to Disassembly and Assembly.
2. Check that each hose clamp has been firmly tightened.
3. Remove air relief plug (1) on heater hose.
4. Fill thermostat housing and reservoir tank to specified level.
- Refill engine coolant up to filler neck of thermostat housing.
- Pour engine coolant through engine coolant filler neck slowly of less than 2 (2-1/8 US qt, 1-3/4
Imp qt) a minute to allow air in system to escape.
- Use Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant or equivalent mixed with water (distilled or demineralized).
Engine coolant capacity (With reservoir tank at "MAX" level):
Approximately 10.4 l (11 US qt, 9-1/8 Imp qt)
Reservoir tank engine coolant capacity (At "MAX" level):
0.8 l (7/8 US qt, 3/4 Imp qt)
- When engine coolant overflows air relief hole on heater hose, install air relief plug.
Air relief plug:
Torque: 1.2 N�m (0.12 kg-m, 11 in-lb)
5. Install radiator cap.
6. Warm up until opening thermostat. Standard for warming-up time is approximately 10 minutes at 3,000 rpm.
- Check thermostat opening condition by touching radiator hose (lower) to see a flow of warm water.
CAUTION:
Watch water temperature gauge so as not to overheat engine.
7. 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 engine coolant up to filler neck of thermostat housing.
8. Refill reservoir tank to "MAX" level line with engine coolant.
9. Repeat steps 4 through 7 two or more times with radiator cap installed until engine coolant level no longer drops.
10. Check cooling system for leakage with engine running.
11. 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.
12. Repeat step 11 three times.
13. If sound is heard, bleed air from cooling system by repeating steps 4 through 7 until engine coolant level no longer drops.
FLUSHING COOLING SYSTEM
1. Install reservoir tank if removed and radiator drain plug.
CAUTION:
Be sure to clean drain plug and install with new O-ring.
Radiator drain plug:
Torque: 1.2 N�m (0.12 kg-m, 11 in-lb)
If water drain plugs on cylinder block are removed, close and tighten them. Refer to Disassembly and Assembly.
2. Remove air relief plug (1) on heater hose.
3. Fill thermostat housing with water until water spills from the air relief hole, then close air relief plug. Fill thermostat housing and reservoir tank with water and reinstall radiator cap.
Air relief plug:
Torque: 1.2 N�m (0.12 kg-m, 11 in-lb)
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 system. Refer to "DRAINING ENGINE COOLANT".
8. Repeat steps 1 through 7 until clear water begins to drain from radiator.