Refilling Engine Coolant
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Close the radiator drain plug. Install the reservoir tank, cylinder block drain plugs (A), (B), (C), (D) and block heater, (if equipped).
- 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 ".
CAUTION: Do not reuse copper sealing washers.BLOCK PLUG AND BLOCK HEATER INSTALLATION SPECIFICATIONSPart Washer Tightening Torque A No Refer to "DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY ". B Reuse No Refer to "DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY ". New Refer to "DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY ". C Yes Refer to "DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY ". D Plug Yes Refer to "DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY ". Block heater Refer to "DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY ". - 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.
- Remove the vented reservoir cap and replace it with a non-vented reservoir cap before filling the cooling system.
- 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)
- 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 "FOR USA AND CANADA: FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS " (United States and Canada) or "FOR MEXICO: FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS " (Mexico).
Cooling system capacity (with reservoir): Refer to "STANDARD AND LIMIT ".
- Install an air hose to the venturi assembly, the air pressure must be within specification.
Compressed air supply pressure: 549 - 824 kPa (5.6 - 8.4 kg/cm 2 , 80 - 119 psi)
CAUTION: The compressed air supply must be equipped with an air dryer. - 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. Rising coolant will be visible in the refill hose. After the refill hose is full of coolant, close the ball valve. This will purge 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. Refer to the following table for expected vacuum readings.
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
- When the vacuum gauge has reached the specified amount, disconnect the air hose and wait 20 seconds to see if the system loses vacuum. If the vacuum level drops, perform necessary repairs to the system and repeat steps 6 - 8 to bring the vacuum to the specified amount. Recheck for 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.CAUTION: Do not allow the coolant container to get too low when filling, to avoid air from being drawn into the cooling system.
- Remove the Tool from the radiator neck opening and install the radiator cap.
- Remove the non-vented reservoir cap.
- 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.
- Install the engine under cover or skid plate. Refer to "REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ".