Cooling System Bleeding: 4-Cylinder
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Nissan Altima, 2003 Nissan Altima, and 2002 Nissan Altima. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING:
To avoid being scalded, never change the 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.
CAUTION:
DO NOT open the radiator cap while changing engine coolant. Fill the radiator only from the filler cap above the radiator upper hose with radiator cap closed.
- Remove engine undercover, using power tools. Open radiator drain plug at the bottom of radiator. See Fig 1. Remove radiator filler cap when draining all the coolant in the system. Be careful not to allow coolant to contact drive belts.
- Remove the reservoir tank, drain the coolant and then clean the tank before installing. When draining all of the coolant in the system for engine removal or repair, open the drain plug on the cylinder block. See Fig 2. Check drained coolant for contaminants such as rust, corrosion or discoloration. If contaminated, flush engine cooling system.
- Install the radiator drain plug and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Install the reservoir tank and cylinder block drain plug. Tighten cylinder block drain plug to specification. 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.
- If disconnected, reattach the upper radiator hose at the engine side. 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.
- Install the Coolant Refill Tool (J-45695) by installing the radiator cap adapter onto the radiator neck opening. See Fig 3. Then attach the gauge body assembly with the refill tube and the venturi assembly to the radiator cap adapter.
- 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 Anti-Freeze Coolant or equivalent, mixed 50/50 with distilled water or demineralized water.
- Install an air hose to the venturi assembly, the supply air pressure must be 80-120 psi. (5.6-8.4 kg/cm2 ). The compressed air supply must be equipped with an air dryer to prevent excess moisture from entering the cooling system.
- 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.
- Continue to draw the vacuum until the gauge reaches 28 inches of vacuum. The gauge may not reach 28 inches in high altitude locations. For vacuum specifications based on the altitude above sea level, see VACUUM SPECIFICATIONS table.
- 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 7- 9 to bring the vacuum to the specified amount. Recheck for any leaks.
- 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.
- DO NOT allow the coolant container to get too low when filling, to avoid air from being drawn into the cooling system. Remove the Coolant Refill Tool (J-45695) from the radiator neck opening. 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 radiator cap.