Engine Cooling System (Coupe): Other Nissan Altima L33

Precaution for Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) "AIR BAG" and "SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER"

The Supplemental Restraint System such as "AIR BAG" and "SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER", used along with a front seat belt, helps to reduce the risk or severity of injury to the driver and front passenger for certain types of collision. This system includes seat belt switch inputs and dual stage front air bag modules. The SRS system uses the seat belt switches to determine the front air bag deployment, and may only deploy one front air bag, depending on the severity of a collision and whether the front occupants are buckled or unbuckled.

Information necessary to service the system safely is included in the SRS Airbag and Seat Belts article of this Service Information.

PRECAUTIONS WHEN USING POWER TOOLS (AIR OR ELECTRIC) AND HAMMERS

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1. After removing nuts and bolts, separate the mating surface, using Tool and remove old liquid gasket. Tool number: KV10111100 (J-37228) CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the mating surfaces.
2. Tap (1) Tool to insert it, and then slide it (2) by tapping on the side as shown below.
3. In areas where Tool is difficult to use, use plastic hammer to lightly tap the parts, to remove it. CAUTION: If for some unavoidable reason suitable tool such as screwdriver is used, be careful not to damage the mating surfaces.

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1. Remove old liquid gasket connected to the liquid gasket application surface and the mating surface, using scraper. Remove liquid gasket completely from the groove of the liquid gasket application surface, bolts, and bolt holes.
2. Thoroughly clean the mating surfaces and remove moisture, grease and foreign materials.
3. Attach liquid gasket tube to Tool. Tool number: WS39930000 (-) Use Genuine RTV Silicone Sealant or equivalent. Refer to " «RECOMMENDED CHEMICAL PRODUCTS AND SEALANTS»(ref-592010-S39097878722014010800000) ".
4. Apply liquid gasket without breaks to the specified location with the specified dimensions. If there is a groove for the liquid gasket application, apply liquid gasket to the groove. As for the bolt holes, normally apply liquid gasket inside the holes. Occasionally, it should be applied outside the holes. Make sure to read the text of service information. Within five minutes of liquid gasket application, install the mating component. If liquid gasket protrudes, wipe it off immediately. Do not retighten nuts or bolts after the installation. After 30 minutes or more have passed from the installation, fill engine oil and engine coolant.

Special Service Tool

The actual shapes of the tools may differ from those illustrated here.

Tool number (TechMate No.) Tool name Description WS39930000 (-) Tube presser Pressing the tube of liquid gasket EG17650301 (J-33984-A) Radiator cap tester adapter Adapting radiator cap tester to radiator cap and radiator filler neck 28 (1.10) dia. 31.4 (1.236) dia. 41.3 (1.626) dia. Unit: mm (in) KV10111100 (J-37228) Seal cutter Removing chain tensioner cover and water pump cover KV991J0070 (J-45695) Coolant Refill Tool Refilling engine cooling system - (J-23688) Engine coolant refractometer Checking concentration of ethylene glycol in engine coolant

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Commercial Service Tool

Tool name Description Power tool Loosening nuts, screws and bolts Radiator cap tester Testing radiator cap

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CHECKING COOLING SYSTEM HOSES

Check hoses for the following

1. Improper attachment
2. Leaks
3. Cracks
4. Damage
5. Loose connections
6. Chafing
7. Deterioration

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1. Check if the reservoir tank coolant level is within MIN to MAX when the engine is cool.
2. Adjust coolant level if it is too much or too little.

CHECKING COOLING SYSTEM FOR LEAKS

To check for leakage, apply pressure to the cooling system using suitable tool (A) and Tool (B).

Tool number: EG17650301 (J-33984-A)

Testing pressure: Refer to " RADIATOR ".

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1. Inspect the radiator cap. Replace the cap if the metal plunger cannot be seen around the edge of the black rubber gasket. Replace the cap if deposits of waxy residue or other foreign material are on the black rubber gasket or the metal retainer. NOTE: Thoroughly wipe out the radiator filler neck to remove any waxy residue or foreign material.
2. Pull the negative-pressure valve to open it and check that it closes completely when released. Check that there is no dirt or damage on the valve seat of the radiator cap negative-pressure valve. Check that there are no abnormalities in the opening and closing conditions of the negative-pressure valve.
3. Check radiator cap relief pressure using suitable tool and Tool. Tool number: EG17650301 (J-33984-A) Standard: Refer to " «RADIATOR»(ref-592018-S04224115312014010800000) ". When connecting the radiator cap to the tester, apply water or coolant to the cap seal surface. Replace the radiator cap if there is an abnormality in the negative-pressure valve, or if the open-valve pressure is outside of the standard values.

CHECKING RADIATOR

Check radiator for mud or clogging. If necessary, clean radiator as follows.

1. Spray water to the back side of the radiator core using a side to side motion from the top down.
2. Stop spraying when debris no longer flows from radiator core.
3. Blow air into the back side of radiator core using a side to side motion from the top down. Use compressed air lower than 490 kPa (5 kg/cm 2 , 71 psi) and keep distance more than 30 cm (11.8 in).
4. Continue to blow air until no water sprays out.
5. Check for coolant leaks. Repair as necessary.

Changing Engine Coolant

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1. Remove the engine under cover. Refer to " «REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION»(ref-592019-S16772029082014010800000) ".
2. Open the radiator drain plug at the bottom of the radiator and remove the radiator filler cap. This is the only step required when partially draining the cooling system (radiator only). CAUTION: Do not allow the coolant to contact the drive belts. Perform this step when engine is cold.
3. Follow this step for heater core removal/replacement only. Disconnect the upper heater hose at the engine side and apply moderate air pressure [103.46 kPa (15 psi, 1.055 kg/cm 2 ) maximum air pressure] into the hose for 30 seconds to blow the excess coolant out of the heater core.
4. When draining all of the coolant in the system, remove the reservoir tank and drain the coolant, then clean the reservoir tank before installation. CAUTION: Do not allow the coolant to contact the drive belts. Perform this step when engine is cold.
5. When draining all of the coolant in the system for engine removal or repair, open the drain plug on the cylinder block.
6. Check the drained coolant for contaminants such as rust, corrosion or discoloration. If the coolant is contaminated, flush the engine cooling system.

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1. Install the radiator drain plug. Install the reservoir tank and cylinder block drain plug, 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. Refer to " «RECOMMENDED CHEMICAL PRODUCTS AND SEALANTS»(ref-592010-S39097878722014010800000) ". Radiator drain plug: Refer to " «REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION»(ref-592018-S00206217232014010800000) ". Cylinder block drain plug: 9.8 N.m (1.0 kg-m, 87 in-lb)
2. If disconnected, reattach the upper radiator hose at the engine side.
3. 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.
4. 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)
5. 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. CAUTION: Never use any cooling system additives such as radiator sealer. Additives may clog the cooling system and cause damage to the engine, transmission and/or cooling system. NOTE: Use recommended coolant or equivalent. Refer to " «RECOMMENDED FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS»(ref-592017-S29316942162014010800000) ". Engine coolant capacity (with reservoir tank): Refer to " «CAPACITY»(ref-592018-S10138464532014010800000) ".
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Continue to draw the vacuum until the gauge reaches 28 inches of vacuum. The gauge may not reach 28 inches in high altitude locations, use the vacuum specifications based on the altitude above sea level. 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
9. 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 6 - 8 to bring the vacuum to the specified amount. Recheck for any leaks.
10. 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.
11. Remove the Tool from the radiator neck opening.
12. Fill the cooling system reservoir tank to the specified level and install the radiator cap. Run the engine to warm up the cooling system and top up the system as necessary.
13. Install the engine under cover. Refer to " «REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION»(ref-592019-S16772029082014010800000) ".

Thermostat

Water Control Valve

Radiator