Cooling System Bleeding
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Nissan Quest. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING:
To avoid danger of being scalded, never change coolant when engine is hot. Wrap a thick cloth around cap and carefully remove cap. First, turn cap quarter turn to release built-up pressure. Then turn cap all the way.
- Remove engine undercover. Open radiator drain plug at bottom of radiator and remove radiator filler cap. See Fig 1 . This is the only step required for partial cooling system drain.
- For complete cooling system drain, remove reservoir tank and drain coolant. Clean reservoir tank before reinstalling. Do not allow coolant to spill on drive belts.
- When performing complete cooling system drain (to remove engine or for engine repair), remove cylinder block front, right and left cylinder block drain plugs. See Fig 2 and Fig 3 .
- If vehicle is equipped with an engine block heater in place of left cylinder block drain plug, do not remove engine block heater. Check drained coolant for contaminants such as rust, corrosion or discoloration. If contaminated, flush engine cooling system.
- Install radiator drain plug and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . If cooling system was drained completely, use Genuine High Performance Thread Sealant or equivalent to seal threads of cylinder block drain plugs. Install reservoir tank and cylinder block drain plugs and tighten to specification.
- Radiator must be completely empty of coolant and water. Set vehicle heater controls to full HOT and heater ON position. Turn vehicle ignition ON with engine OFF as necessary to activate heater mode.
- Install Coolant Refill Tool (J-45695), by installing radiator cap adapter onto radiator neck opening. See Fig 4 . Attach gauge body assembly with refill tube and venturi assembly to radiator cap adapter.
- Insert refill hose into floor-level coolant mixture container. Make sure ball valve is in closed position. Use Genuine NISSAN Long Life Anti-Freeze Coolant or equivalent, mixed 50/50 with distilled water or demineralized water.
- Install an air hose to venturi assembly. Air pressure must be 80-120 psi and be equipped with an air dryer. Vacuum gauge will begin to rise and there will be an audible hissing noise. During this process, open ball valve on refill hose slightly. Coolant will be visibly rising in refill hose. Once refill hose is full of coolant, close ball valve. This will purge any air trapped in refill hose.
- Continue to draw vacuum until gauge reaches 28 inches of vacuum. Gauge may not reach 28 inches in high altitude locations. See VACUUM SPECIFICATIONS table.
- When vacuum gauge reaches specified amount, disconnect air hose and wait 20 seconds to see if system loses any vacuum. If vacuum level drops, perform any necessary repairs to system and repeat steps 9 and 10 to bring vacuum to specified amount. Recheck for any leaks.
- Place coolant container (with refill hose inserted) at same level as top of radiator. Open ball valve on refill hose so coolant will be drawn up to fill cooling system. Cooling system is full when vacuum gauge reads zero.
- Do not allow coolant container to get too low when filling, to avoid air from being drawn into cooling system. Remove Coolant Refill Tool (J-45695), from radiator neck opening. See Fig 4 . Fill cooling system reservoir tank to specified level. Reinstall radiator cap. Run engine to warm up cooling system. Top off as necessary.
VACUUM SPECIFICATIONS
| Altitude Ft. (Meters) | Gauge Reading (In. Hg) |
|---|---|
| 0-328 Ft. (0-100) | 28 |
| 984 (300) | 27 |
| 1640 (500) | 26 |
| 3281 (1000) | 24-25 |