1987 NISSAN PULSAR coolant level

36 Roadside Trouble Shooting


Check the engine oil for level and dilution on the dipstick.
turn creamy. The oil level will also have increased. If
the oil is emulsified, proceed to operation (5).

(2) Remove the fusible link that is positioned
third from the front of th e fusible link connection
block, located at the rear of the battery. Disconnect
the coil high tension lead from the coil. (3) Remove all of the spark plugs except one.
(4) Have an assistant operate the ignition switch
to rotate the engine and listen to the sound made by
the engine as it is being turned over. Move the spark
plug to a different cylinder and repeat the lest. By performing the same test on all cylinders, a
rough comparison can be made to determine if there
is any loss of compression in any cylinder. This will be
apparent by the different sound made by the engine as
it is being turned over.

Normally, if the compression is satisfactory the
cylinder with the spark plug installed will create a
resistance to the rotating engine.

However, if the compression is low in a particular
cylinder, the engine will tu rn over easily and smoothly
when that spark plug is in place.

(5) If the above checks show a loss of coolant
which is present in the engine oil or on the spark plug,
one or more of the following faults may be the cause:

Blown cylinder head gasket.
Cracked cylinder or cylinder head.
If the compression check showed any weak or
inconsistent compressions, in addition to the above
faults any of the following could also be the cause:

Broken piston{s)
Burnt or broken valve(s).
Provided the previous checks do not indicate an

View showing the location of the fusible links.
internal leakage of coolant, proceed with the follow-
ing:

(6) Remove the distributor cap and, with the aid
of an assistant operating th e starter motor, check that
the rotor arm rotates as the engine turns over. (7) Remove the camshaft hous ing top cover and.
again with an assistant operating the ignition switch,
check that all the valves open and close as the engine
turns over.
If the rotor arm or valves do not operate with
engine rotation, one of the following faults may be the
cause:

Rotor arm does not turn but valves operate:
Distributor drive shaft broken.

Rotor arm and valves do not operate: Broken
camshaft drive belt. Sheare d crankshaft timing gear
drive key. Sheared camshaft liming gear drive dowel.

Provided that all the previous checks have been
performed correctly and the operator is satisfied that
none of the components are at fault, all that remains
is for the ignition and valve timing to be checked. It
should be noted, however, that if loss of valve timing
proves to be the fault, th e cause of this occurrence
must be sought and rectified.

(8) In order to check the valve timing it will be
necessary to remove the distributor cap and the
camshaft housing top cover and turn the engine
clockwise via the crankshaft pulley until No. 1 piston
is at TDC on the compression stroke. In this position
the valves of No. 1 cylinder should be closed, the
valves of No. 4 should be rocking and the distributor
rotor should be pointing to the No. 1 high tension lead
segment in the distributor cap.

Engine 51

coolant temperature sensor and temperature sender
switch located in the thermostat housing.

(8) Remove the bolt securing the wiring clamp
to the rear of the manifold and maneuver the wiring
away from the cylinder head and the inlet manifold.
(9) Disconnect the throttle cable and on auto-
matic transaxle models, the kickdown cable from the
throttle body linkage. (10) Remove the bolls securing the throttle cable
bracket to the inlet manifold and place the bracket
and cable(s) to one side.
(11) Mark the fuel supply and return hoses to
ensure correct installation and disconnect the hoses
from the fuel rail or throttle body. Plug the hoses to
prevent the loss of fuel or the entry of dirt. (12) Mark the vacuum hoses connected to the
inlet manifold and throttle body to ensure correct
installation and disconnect the hoses. (13) Remove the nuts securing the engine pipe to
the exhaust manifold and separate the pipe from the
manifold. (14) Remove the oxygen sensor from the exhaust
manifold. Refer to the Fuel and Engine Management
section if necessary. (15) Remove the distributor and coil as described
in the Fuel and Engine Management section. (16) Disconnect the engine breather hoses from
the camshaft housing and cams haft housing top cover.
(17) Remove the bolts retaining the top cover to
the camshaft housing and remove the top cover. (18) Using an open end spanner, hold the cam-
shaft between the inlet and exhaust lobes of number
four cylinder and remove the camshaft timing gear
retaining bolt and the camshaft timing gear.
(19) Remove the bolts securing the camshaft
drive belt inner cover to the camshaft housing. (20) Loosen the cylinder head bolts in the reverse
order of the tightening sequence, backing off each bolt
a quarter turn then half a turn at a time until the bolts
are loose.
NOTE: Do not loosen the head bolts while
the engine is warm as distortion of the
cylinder head could result.

(21) Remove the cylinder head bolts and lift the
camshaft housing from the cylinder head. (22) Remove the cylinder head and gasket from
the cylinder block. Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure
with attention to the following points:

(1) Thoroughly clean the gasket surfaces of the
cylinder head, cylinder block and camshaft housing
and check all mating surfaces with a straight edge.
Ensure that all the oilways are clean and free of any
foreign material and lightly oil all operating parts with
engine oil.
(2) Install new gaskets throughout during
assem-
bly.

View of the cylinder head showing the bolt tightening
sequence.
(3) Ensure that the cylinde r head and gasket are
located correctly on the dowels on the cylinder block
face. The head gasket is marked TOP to aid in correct
installation. (4) With the cylinder head and gasket in posi-
tion on the cylinder block, apply an even smear of
Loctite 515 to the cylinder head and camshaft housing
mating surfaces. Take care that no sealant is forced
into the oil passages. (5) Install new cylinder head bolts and lubricate
the bolts and washers with engine oil,
(6) Apply an initial torque to the cylinder head
bolts of 25 Nm in the sequence shown in the
illustration. Further tighten the head bolts in the same
sequence in three separate 60 degree stages. Refer to
Specifications. (7) Install the bolts secur ing the camshaft drive
belt inner cover to the camshaft housing. Install the
camshaft timing gear and tighten the retaining bolt to
the specified torque. (8) Install and adjust the camshaft drive belt as
previously described. (9) Install the distributor, coil and oxygen sensor
as described in the Fuel and Engine Management
section.
(10) Using a new gasket, connect the engine pipe
to the exhaust manifold flange, coat the nuts with an
anti-seize compound and install and tighten the nuts
to
the specified torque. (11) Connect all hoses and electrical wiring dis-
connected during the removal of the cylinder head.
Ensure that all the hoses are returned to their original
locations. (12) Connect the throttle cable and where appli-
cable, the kickdown cable. Adjust the cables as
described in the Fuel and Engine Management section
and the Automatic Transaxle section. (13) Check the engine oil fo r correct level on the
dipstick and for dilution. Change the engine oil and
filter if necessary. (14) Fill the cooling system as described in the
Cooling and Heating Systems section. (15) Start the engine and check for oil or water

68
COOLING AND HEATING SYSTEMS
SPECIFICATIONS
Coolant capacity ........................................ 6.0 liters
Thermostat:
Opening temperature........................... 91 deg
C

Fully open temperature .................... 103 deg
C

Cooling fan:
Fan cut in temperat ure ....................... 100 deg C
Fan cut out temperature ...................... 95 deg C
Radiator cap opening
pressure ................................................... 78 -98 kPa
TORQUE WRENCH SETTINGS
Water pump retaining bolts .............................25 Nm
Thermostat housing bolts .................................15 Nm
Sender unit .......................................................10 Nm
1. COOLING SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING
COOLANT LEAKAGE - EXTERNAL
(1) Loose hose clips or faulty hoses: Tighten the
hose clips or renew the faulty water hoses.
(2) Leaking radiator core or tanks: Repair or
renew the radiator. (3) Leaking heater core or hoses: Repair or renew the heater core. Check the hose clips and hoses
and renew if necessary.

(4)
Leaks at the thermostat cover and/or water
pump O rings. Renew the O rings. (5) Worn or damaged water pump seal assembly:
Renew the water pump. (6) Worn or damaged water pump bearing as-
sembly: Renew the water pump.
(7) Loose or rusted welch plugs; Renew the
welch plugs. (8) Faulty cylinder head gasket or loose cylinder
head bolts: Renew the cylinder head gasket and
correctly tighten the cylinder head bolts. (9) External crack in the cy linder head or cylin-
der block: Repair or renew the faulty components.
NOTE: Check the system for external leak-
age by running the engine to operating
temperature over a dry floor and checking
for the leak source.

Check the vehicle interior below the
heater core for moisture. If a rusted welch
plug is found, it is a good practice to renew
all the welch plugs.

COOLANT LEAKAGE - INTERNAL
( 1 ) Cylinder head gasket leak due to warped
cylinder head or cylinder block gasket faces: Reface


Checking the radiator hose for deterioration.

Check the engine oil for level and dilution on the
dipstick.

Cooling and Heating Systems 69

the cylinder head or cylinder block and renew the
cylinder head gasket.

(2) Crack in the cylinder head or cylinder block:
Repair or renew as necessary.

NOTE; Check the engine for internal leak-
age by withdrawing the dipstick and inspect-
ing for emulsified oil. Run the engine and
check for excessive steam at the exhaust
pipe which would indi cate coolant leakage
into the combustion chamber.

COOLANT LOSS BY OVERFLOW
(1) Overfull system: Drain the excess coolant
from the system.
(2) Faulty radiator cap: Renew the faulty cap.
(3) Blocked radiator core tubes: Clean or renew
the radiator core.

(4) Faulty thermostat: Renew the thermostat.
(5) Coolant foaming due to poor quality anti-
freeze or corrosion inhibitor: Drain the system and
renew the coolant and additive.

Renew the radiator cap if the sealing rubber has
deteriorated.
ENGINE OVERHEATING
(1) Radiator cap defective: Renew the radiator
cap.
(2) Incorrect fuel mixture: Check the fuel system
as described in the Fuel and Engine Management
section. (3) Obstructed air passage through the radiator
core from the front to the rear: Blow the obstruction
from the rear to the front of the radiator core using
compressed air or water pressure. (4) Faulty thermostat: Renew the thermostat.
(5) Incorrect ignition timing: Check and adjust
the ignition timing as described in the Engine Tune-up
section. (6) Incorrect valve timing: Set the valve timing
as described in th e Engine section.
(7) Loss of coolant from the overflow: Check
and rectify as described under the heading Coolant
Loss By Overflow.
(8) Poor circulation: Check and rectify as de-
scribed under the heading Coolant Circulation Faulty.
(9) Low engine oil level: Stop the engine imme-
diately and replenish the oil in the sump. (10) Restricted muffler, catalytic converter or
damaged tailpipe, accompanied by loss of power:
Remove the restrictions or renew the faulty com-
ponents as necessary.
(11) Incorrectly adjusted or dragging brakes:
Check and rectify by adjustment or renewal of
components. (12) Faulty temperature gauge and/or sender unit:
Check and rectify as necessary.
NOTE: Engine overheating is indicated by
an excessive rise in engine temperature
shown by the temperature gauge.

Overheating is usually accompanied by
steam emitting from the coolant overflow
pipe and loss of engine power. A blown
cylinder head gasket may be indicated by
bubbles in the coolant.

COOLANT CIRCULATION FAULTY
(1) Partial blockage of the radiator core tubes:
reverse flush or renew the radiator core.
(2) Sludge deposits in the engine water jacket:
Clean and flush the engine water jacket and add
inhibitor to the coolant. (3) Faulty water pump: Renew the water pump.
(4) Faulty thermostat: Renew the thermostat.
(5) Collapsing lower radiator hose: Renew the
lower radiator hose and check the radiator core tubes. (6) Insufficient coolant in the system: Replenish
the coolant and check for leaks.
NOTE: If rust or sludge deposits are sus-
pected, check the color of the coolant in the
radiator. Rusty or muddy coolant indicates
rust or sludge in the system.

2. HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER TROUBLE SHOOTING

NO HOT AIR INSIDE VEHICLE
Faulty thermostat: Renew the thermostat.
Faulty heater valve: Check and renew the

Blocked heater hoses: Remove the blockage.
Blocked heater core: Clean or renew the core.

NOTE: Ensure that the engine is reaching
normal operating temperature. If in doubt
check the operation of the thermostat as
described under the Thermostat heading in
this section.

(1)
(2)
valve.
(3)
(4)

70 Cooling and Heating Systems


Installed view of the heater hoses. 1.6 liter models with the air cleaner removed for clarity
.
When the engine is at normal operating
temperature and the heater valve is open,
both of the heater hoses should feel
warm/hot. If the valve is not allowing the
coolant to flow, one hose will be hot while
the other will be cold.

NO COOLED AIR INSIDE VEHICLE
(1) Compressor drive belt slipping or broken:
Renew and/or adjust the drive belt as described in the
Engine Tune-up section.
(2) Insufficient refrigerant: Check the system for
leaks and charge as necessary. Refer to the Air
Conditioning heading in th is section for information
on checking the refrigerant level. (3) Compressor inoperative: Check for power to
the compressor clutch before removing the compres-
sor for repair by a specialist. (4) Heater system allowing warm air to mix with
cooled air: Check the operation of the heater system.
NOTE: The above trouble shooting proce-
dures are basic checks only. If the air
conditioning system is suspect, it is rec-
ommended that the vehicle be taken to an
authorized dealer for testing and repair.
It is normal for water to be seen drain-
ing under the vehicle from the evaporator
after the vehicle has been operated with
the air conditioning on.

3. DESCRIPTION
The cooling system is of the sealed, pressurized
type with fan and water pump assistance. The system
is pressurized in order to raise the boiling point of the
coolant and so increase the efficiency of the engine.

Provision for pressure a nd vacuum relief of the
system is incorporated in the radiator cap.

The radiator overflow hose is connected to a
reserve tank mounted adjacent to the battery. As the
coolant volume expands due to an increase in tem-
perature, the pressure valve in the radiator cap opens
and allows the excess coolant to flow into the reserve
tank. When the engine is stopped and the temperature
of the coolant falls, the vacuum valve in the radiator
cap opens and allows the excess coolant in the reserve
tank to siphon back into the radiator. Thus the
necessity for frequent topping up of the coolant is
eliminated.

The temperature of the cooling system is con-
trolled by a thermostat located in the thermostat
housing attached to the cylinder head.

The thermostat prevents circulation of coolant
through the radiator by directing coolant through the
by-pass circuit, until the engine has reached operating
temperature. This restricted circulation allows the
engine to reach operating temperature quickly, im-
proving drivability and fuel economy.

Removal of the thermostat to cure overheating is
not recommended because th e by-pass circuit will
remain open reducing the amount of water flowing
through the radiator.

An anti-corrosion inhibitor should always be
added to the coolant to protect the cooling and
heating systems from corrosion.

The water pump is mounted to the front of the
engine and is driven by the camshaft drive belt. It is
equipped with a double row ball bearing and a spring
loaded seal assembly. The water pump is a disposable
unit and cannot be repaired.

The fan is driven by an electric motor which is
actuated by the coolant temperature sensor and the
control unit.

On vehicles equipped with air conditioning, an
additional electric fan is m ounted to the radiator. This
fan is controlled by a sw itch connected to the air
conditioning compressor.

The radiator consists of an aluminum core with
plastic side tanks. Minor damage to the core can be
repaired using Nissan repair agent.

The left hand tank of the radiator houses the
transaxle oil cooler on automatic transaxle models.

To drain the cooling system a drain plug is
provided on the lower radiator pipe outlet.

4. RADIATOR
NOTE: To avoid scalding, use caution when
releasing the radiator cap on an engine
which is at the normal operating tempera-
ture. Turn the cap anti-clockwise to the first
stop and allow any pressure in the system to
release. When the pressure is released turn
the cap past the stop and remove it from the
radiator.

72 Cooling and Heating Systems

(16) After the vehicle has been driven several
kilometers check the coolant level in the reserve tank
and top up if necessary.

TO REMOVE
(1) Drain the cooling system as previously de-
scribed.
(2) Loosen the hose clamps and disconnect the
hoses from the radiator. (3) If applicable disconnect the automatic trans-
axle oil cooler hoses from the left hand side radiator
tank. Plug the hoses and fitt ings to prevent the entry
of dirt and the loss of fluid.
(4) Disconnect the hose from the reserve tank at
the top of the radiator. (5) On models with air conditioning, remove the
hoses and support bracket bolts and move the bracket
and hoses away from the top of the radiator. (6) Remove the radiator support bracket bolts
from the radiator support pa nel and lift the radiator
from the lower mountings and out of the vehicle.
NOTE: A radiator that has been in use for
some time should not be allowed to stand
empty for any length of time. The radiator
should be immersed in a tank of coolant or
otherwise kept full. If applicable, ensure that
no coolant is allowed to enter the automatic
transaxle oil cooler in the left hand side tank
of the radiator.

Failure to observe this precaution may
result in overheating when the engine is put
back into service. This is caused by internal
deposits in the radiator drying and flaking
and so obstructing the circulation of the
coolant in the system.

TO FLUSH AND CLEAN
(1) Remove the radiator as previously described.
(2) Apply a water hose to the radiator outlet and
reverse flush the radiator until the water flowing from
it is clean.

Cleaning the radiator core from the rear to the front
using a garden hose.
(3) Stand the radiator upright and apply a
stream of water or compressed air to the radiator core
from the rear to [he front. Maintain this procedure
until all dirt and foreign matter is removed from the
radiator core.
(4) With the aid of a light, make a visual check
of the core tubes through the radiator inlet or outlet
fittings. If it is apparent that the tubes are severely
impregnated with flakes of rust it will be necessary to
renew the radiator assembly.
TO REPAIR

The repair procedure described below is only
suitable for holes occurring in the radiator core tubes
that are not bigger than approximately 1 mm.

(1) Suitably mark the area of the leak using a
piece of chalk or similar. (2) Remove the radiator from the vehicle as
previously described, clean it thoroughly and dry the
damaged area with a hair dryer. (3) If necessary, carefully cut away or bend the
fins from the tubes to expose the affected area.
NOTE: Do not remove more than 25 mm
total finning from the radiator or cooling
performance will be affected.

(4) Clean the damaged area carefully using a
scraper and wipe clean using a cloth moistened with
petrol.
(5) Apply well mixed Nissan or Holden adhe-
sive part number 21411-J7025, or equivalent, spar-
ingly to the damaged area using a wooden spatula.
(6) Allow the repair to dry in ambient condi-
tions for a minimum of 3 hours before installing the
radiator to the vehicle and testing for leaks. Do not
use heat to promote drying.
TO INSTAL

Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure
with attention to the following points:
Reverse flushing the radiator using water pressure.

Cooling and Heating Systems 77
These openings are plugged with welch plugs. The
plugs may have to be renewed when cleaning the
engine water jackets or when defective due to corro-
sion.

TO RENEW
NOTE: If a welch plug is found to be
corroded it is good policy to renew all the
welch plugs.

(1) Drain the radiator and cylinder block.
(2) Remove the necessary engine components or
accessories to gain ampl e working space around the
welch plug. (3) Using a punch and hammer, tap the welch
plug on its outer circumference into its opening. (4) Grasp the edge of the welch plug with a pair
of multi-grip pliers and using the shoulder of the pliers
as a fulcrum, lever the plug out of its opening. (5) Thoroughly clean and dry the welch plug
opening.
(6) Lightly smear the edge of a new welch plug
and the opening with Loctite 675. (7) Place the welch plug onto the opening and
using a tube or socket fitting the rim of the plug, drive
the plug squarely into its opening.
NOTE; The welch plug must be driven into
the opening straight and squarely or leaks
may occur.

(8) Install the components which were removed
to gain access to the plug. (9) Fill the cooling system as previously de-
scribed. With the reserve tank pressure cap installed,
run the engine until it reaches normal operating
temperature and check for coolant leaks.
10. HEATER UNIT, WATER VALVE AND
CONTROLS
DESCRIPTION
The heater controls use four adjustments to direct
air through the vehicle.

The air intake control selects fresh air from
outside the vehicle or recirculates air from inside the
vehicle. The recirculate position is used in dusty
conditions or to rapidly heat or cool the vehicle
interior. The fresh air positi on is the best to deodorize
the vehicle interior or demist the windscreen.

The air control lever is used to direct air to the
face outlets, the floor outle ts and the windscreen
outlets. This control also has two bi-level positions
where air may be directed to the face and floor outlets
or the windscreen and floor outlets.

The temperature control opens or shuts the heater
water valve to control the flow of engine coolant
through the heater core, which raises or lowers the
temperature of the air passing through the core.
Maximum heating is only available when the engine is
at the normal operating temperature.

The fan speed control switches the fan on and off
and is used to select the desired fan speed.

Air conditioned models use identical controls
with the addition of an air conditioner on/off button.
The centre of the button is illuminated when the air
conditioner is switched on.

Tap the welch plug on its ou ter circumference into the
cylinder block.
Using a correct fitting tube or socket, drive the welch
plug into its opening. View of the heater controls.

110 Fuel and Engine Management
originally performed, an intermittent fault is indi-
cated. Proceed as follows:

(a) Check for faulty wiri ng connections. Check
that all wiring connectors are clean and secure. (b) Check that all earth wires are secure.
(4) Disconnect the wiring connector from the
coolant temperature sensor. (5) With the ignition switched On, measure the
voltage across the terminals on the coolant tempera-
ture sensor wiring connector. The voltage should be
4-6 volts.
If the voltage is below 4 volts, proceed to opera-
tion (9).

If the voltage is as specified, proceed as follows.
(6) Remove the coolant temperature sensor
from the vehicle. (7) Connect an ohmmeter to the coolant temper-
ature sensor terminals. (8) Immerse the meta1 end of the coolant
tem-
perature sensor in a 50/50 mixture of glycol and iced
water at a temperature of 0 deg C. The resistance
should be 6 000 ohms. Slowly heat the mixture and measure the resis-
tance of the coolant temperature sensor at the follow-
ing temperatures. Compare the results with the spec-
ified values:

0 d e g C ................................................. 6 000 ohms
20 deg C .................................................. 2 500 ohms
30 deg C .................................................. 1 800 ohms
40 deg C.................................................. 1 200 ohms
70 deg C .......................................................450 ohms
90 degC .......................................................250 ohms
100 deg C.....................................................190 ohms
110 deg C.....................................................110 ohms
If the resistances obtained are not as specified at
any of the given temperatures, renew the coolant
temperature sensor and retest for fault codes.

(9) Disconnect the control unit wiring connec-
tors.
(10) Check the wiring harness for shorts and
continuity between the coolant temperature sensor
wiring connector terminals and the control unit wiring
connector terminals C10 and D2. Repair or renew the
wiring harness as necessary.
Also check the control unit terminals for damage.
If no fault is found, renew the control unit and
retest for fault codes.

To Remove and Install
(1) Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
(2) Disconnect the wiring connector from the
coolant temperature sensor.
(3) Drain the coolant as described in the Cooling
and Heating Systems section to a level below the
sensor.
(4) Unscrew the sensor from the thermostat
housing. Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure
with attention to the following points;

(1) Apply Loctite 675 or a similar conductive
sealer to the threads of th e sensor. Tighten the sensor
to the specified torque.
(2) Fill the cooling system with the correct
mixture of water and inhibitor as described in the
Cooling and Heating Systems section. (3) Ensure that the wiring connector is clean and
secure.
THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR
To Test - Codes 21 and 22

NOTE: The following test procedure as-
sumes that fault codes 21 or 22 have been
displayed during the se lf diagnosis test pro-
cedure. If no codes have been displayed but
the operation of the throttle position sensor
is suspect, begin the test procedure at oper-
ation (24).

(1) Erase the self diagnosis code memory as
previously described.
(2) Start and run the engine at idle speed for 60
seconds or until the ECM warning lamp lights. If the engine will not start, disconnect the throttle
position sensor wiring co nnector and proceed to
operation (8). .

(3) With the engine id ling, quickly increase the
engine speed to 3 000 rpm and return to idle.

If the ECM warning lamp remains illuminated,
proceed to operation (4).

If the ECM warning lamp extinguishes, an inter-
mittent fault is indicated. Proceed as follows:

(a) Check for faulty wiri ng connections. Check
that all wiring connectors are clean and secure. (b) Check that all earth wires are secure.
(4) Stop the engine, switch the ignition On and
connect a jumper lead between terminals A and B on
the diagnostic link connect or. Note any fault codes
displayed.

If codes 21 or 22 are displayed, proceed as
follows.

(5) Remove the jumper lead from the diagnostic
link connector. (6) Erase the self diagnosis codes as previously
described. (7) Disconnect the wiring connector from the
throttle position sensor. If code 22 was displayed in operation (4), proceed
to operation (13).

If code 21 was displayed in operation (4), proceed
as follows.

(8) Start and run the engine at idle speed for 2
minutes or until the ECM warning lamp lights. If the
engine will not start, pr oceed to operation (11).
(9) Stop the engine, switch the ignition On and
connect a jumper lead between terminals A and B on