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Nissan Altima L32. Manual - part 199

OVERHEATING CAUSE ANALYSIS

CO-33

< FUNCTION DIAGNOSIS >

[VQ35DE]

Except cool-
ing system
parts mal-
function

—

Overload on engine

Abusive driving

High engine rpm under no
load

Driving in low gear for ex-
tended time

Driving at extremely high
speed

Powertrain system malfunc-
tion

—

Installed improper size
wheels and tires

Dragging brakes

Improper ignition timing

Blocked or restricted air
flow

Blocked bumper

Blocked air flow

—

Blocked radiator grille

Installed car brassiere

Mud contamination or paper
clogging

Blocked radiator

Blocked air flow

Blocked condenser

Installed large fog lamp

Symptom

Check items

CO-34

< ON-VEHICLE MAINTENANCE >

[VQ35DE]

ENGINE COOLANT

ON-VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

ENGINE COOLANT

System Inspection

INFOID:0000000004205462

WARNING:

• Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot. Serious burns could occur from high pres-

sure coolant escaping from the radiator.

• Wrap a thick cloth around the cap. Slowly push down and turn it a quarter turn to allow built-up pres-

sure to escape. Carefully remove the cap by pushing down and turning it all the way.

CHECKING COOLING SYSTEM HOSES

Check hoses for the following:

• Improper attachment

• Leaks

• Cracks

• Damage

• Loose connections

• Chafing

• Deterioration

CHECKING RESERVOIR LEVEL

• Check if the reservoir tank coolant level is within MIN to MAX

range when the engine is cool.

• Adjust coolant level if it is too much or too little.

CHECKING COOLING SYSTEM FOR LEAKS

To check for leaks, apply pressure to the cooling system using suit-

able tool (A) and Tool (B).

WARNING:

Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot. Serious

burns could occur from high pressure coolant escaping from

the radiator.

CAUTION:

Higher pressure than specified may cause radiator damage.

CHECKING RADIATOR CAP

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.

SMA412B

Tool number

: EG17650301 (J-33984-A)

Testing pressure : 157 kPa (1.6 kg/cm

, 23 psi)

AWBIA0740ZZ

ENGINE COOLANT

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< ON-VEHICLE MAINTENANCE >

[VQ35DE]

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 clos-

ing conditions of the negative-pressure valve.

3. Check radiator cap relief pressure using suitable tool and Tool.

• 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 nega-

tive-pressure valve, or if the open-valve pressure is outside of

the standard values.

CHECKING RADIATOR

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

• Be careful not to bend or damage the radiator fins.

• When radiator is cleaned without removing, remove all surrounding parts such as cooling fan shroud and

horns. Then tape the harness and electrical connectors to prevent water from entering.

1. Apply water by hose to the back side of the radiator core, with the hose pointed vertically downward.
2. Apply water again to all radiator core surfaces once per minute.
3. Stop washing if any dirt no longer rinse out from the radiator.
4. Blow air into the back side of radiator core, with the air hose pointed vertically downward.

• Use compressed air lower than 490 kPa (5 kg/cm

, 71 psi) and keep distance more than 30 cm (11.8 in).

5. Blow air again into all the radiator core surfaces once per minute until no water sprays out.
6. Check for leaks.

Changing Engine Coolant

INFOID:0000000004205463

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 push down and turn the cap all the way to remove.

DRAINING ENGINE COOLANT

1. Remove the engine undercover using power tool.
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.

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

) 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:

SMA967B

Tool number

: EG17650301 (J-33984-A)

Standard: 122.3 – 151.7 kPa (1.2 – 1.5 kg/cm

, 18 – 22 psi)

Limit: 107 kPa (1.1 kg/cm

, 16 psi)

WBIA0570E

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< ON-VEHICLE MAINTENANCE >

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ENGINE COOLANT

Do not allow the coolant to contact the drive belts.

5. When draining all of the coolant in the system for engine removal or repair, open the drain plug on the cyl-

inder block.

6. Check the drained coolant for contaminants such as rust, corrosion or discoloration.

If the coolant is contaminated, flush the engine cooling system.

REFILLING ENGINE COOLANT

1. Install the radiator drain plug. If the cooling system was drained completely, install the reservoir tank and

the cylinder block drain plugs.

• 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

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.

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.

• Use Genuine NISSAN Engine Coolant or equivalent, mixed

50/50 with distilled water or demineralized water.

Refer to

MA-12, "Engine Oil Recommendation"