2001 NISSAN ALMERA radiator cap

System CheckNJLC0054WARNING:
Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot; serious
burns could be caused by high pressure fluid escaping from
the radiator.
Wrap a thick cloth around the cap and carefully remove it by
turning it a quarter turn to allow built-up pressure to escape
and then turn the cap all the way off.
CHECKING COOLING SYSTEM HOSESNJLC0054S01Check hoses for improper attachment, leaks, cracks, damage,
loose connections, chafing and deterioration.
CHECKING RADIATORNJLC0054S02Check radiator for mud or clogging. If necessary, clean radiator as
follows.
+Be careful not to bend or damage the radiator fins.
+When radiator is cleaned without removal, remove all sur-
rounding parts such as cooling fan, radiator shroud and horns.
Then tape the harness and connectors to prevent water from
entering.
1. Apply water by hose to the back side of the radiator core ver-
tically downward.
2. Apply water again to all radiator core surfaces once per
minute.
3. Stop washing if any stains no longer flow out from the radia-
tor.
4. Blow air into the back side of radiator core vertically downward.
+Use compressed air lower than 490 kPa (4.9 bar, 5 kg/cm
2,71
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.
SLC755AC
CHECKING RADIATOR CAPNJLC0054S03To check radiator cap, apply pressure to cap with a tester.
Radiator cap relief pressure:
Standard
78-98kPa
(0.78 - 0.98 bar, 0.8 - 1.0 kg/cm
2, 11 - 14 psi)
Limit
59-98kPa
(0.59 - 0.98 bar, 0.6 - 1.0 kg/cm
2,9-14psi)
SMA967B
Pull the negative pressure valve to open it.
Check that it closes completely when released.
+Check the radiator cap negative pressure valve for contamina-
tion or damage to the valve seat.
+Move the negative pressure valve to check for abnormalities to
the opening/shutting operation.
CAUTION:
+Be sure to perform the inspections after cooling down the
engine.
+Before connecting the radiator cap to the tester, apply
water or LLC to the cap sealing.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMYD
System Check
LC-38

+Replace the radiator cap if abnormalities are found with the
negative pressure valve, or if the valve opening pressure is out
of the standard range.
SLC756AA
CHECKING COOLING SYSTEM FOR LEAKSNJLC0054S04To check for leakage, apply pressure to the cooling system with a
tester.
Testing pressure:
157 kPa (1.57 bar, 1.6 kg/cm
2, 23 psi)
CAUTION:
+Higher than the specified pressure may cause radiator
damage.
+Be sure to perform the inspections after cooling down the
engine.
+Use a hose adapter between the cap tester and filler neck
to prevent the radiator filler neck from deforming.
+If any abnormalities are found, repair or replace the malfunc-
tioning parts.
Water Pump
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATIONNJLC0055CAUTION:
+When removing water pump assembly, be careful not to
get coolant on drive belt.
+Water pump cannot be disassembled and should be
replaced as a unit.
+After installing water pump, connect hose and clamp
securely, then check for leaks using radiator cap tester.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMYD
System Check (Cont'd)
LC-39

SLC344B
JLC295B
Changing Engine CoolantNJLC0079WARNING:
To avoid the danger of being scalded, never change the cool-
ant when the engine is hot.
Ð DRAINING ENGINE COOLANT ÐNJLC0079S011. Set air conditioning system as follows to prevent coolant from
remaining in the system.
a. Turn ignition switch ON and set temperature controller to maxi-
mum hot position.
b. Wait 10 seconds before turning ignition switch OFF.
SMA033D
2. Open radiator drain cock at the bottom of radiator or remove
lower radiator hose, and remove radiator filler cap to drain
coolant.
3. Remove reservoir tank, drain coolant, then clean reservoir
tank.
+Be careful not to allow coolant to contact drive belts.
4. Cover the exhaust tube heat shield to prevent from splashing
coolant.
JLC429B
SLC341B
5. Remove drain plug of cylinder block and air relief plug.
6. Check drained coolant for contaminants such as rust, corro-
sion or discoloration. If contaminated flush engine cooling
system, refer to LC-46, ªFLUSHING COOLING SYSTEMº.
7. Blow the coolant around the exhaust tube heat shield.
NOTE:
An asterisk (*1) in the figure means ªNot installed on some
modelsº.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMYD
Changing Engine Coolant
LC-44

JLC298B
Ð REFILLING ENGINE COOLANT ÐNJLC0079S021. Install reservoir tank, radiator drain cock or lower radiator hose
and cylinder block drain plug.
+Apply sealant to the thread of cylinder block drain plugs.
:8-11N´m(0.8 - 1.2 kg-m, 70 - 104 in-lb)
2. Fill radiator slowly with coolant until coolant spills from the air
relief plugs, then install air relief plugs.
+Location of air relief plugs
Water inlet and rear side intake manifold water tubes
3. Disconnect heater hose at engine, pour coolant into the hose
so that it flows toward the heater core.
+While filling, if coolant from engine side spills out, be sure to
reconnect the heater hose.
+Fill coolant to the level of the radiator cap at a rate of 2!(1-3/4
Imp qt)/min or lower.
(Close the air relief plugs in order starting with the location from
where the coolant began spilling out.)
CAUTION:
If the filling rate is too fast, this could lead to air being mixed
in the coolant. Be sure to fill the coolant slowly according to
the rate indicated above.
+Replace the copper washer of the air bleeding plug.
Air relief plug:
: 6.7 - 7.9 N´m (0.68 - 0.81 kg-m, 59 - 70 in-lb)
+Use genuine Nissan anti-freeze coolant or equivalent
mixed with water (distilled or demineralized).
SMA182B
SMA412B
Refer to MA-16, ªRECOMMENDED FLUIDS AND LUBRI-
CANTSº.
Engine coolant capacity (With reservoir tank):
8.7!(7-5/8 Imp qt)
Reservoir tank capacity:
0.7!(5/8 Imp qt)
+Pour coolant through coolant filler neck slowly to allow air
in system to escape.
4. Fill radiator and reservoir tank to specified level.
5. Warm up engine to normal operating temperature without
radiator cap installed.
+If coolant overflows radiator filler hole, install radiator cap.
6. Run engine at 3,000 rpm for 10 seconds and return to idle
speed with radiator cap installed.
+Repeat two or three times.
Watch coolant temperature gauge so as not to overheat the
engine.
7. Stop engine and cool it down.
+Cool down using a fan to reduce the time.
+If necessary, refill radiator up to filler neck with coolant.
8. Refill reservoir tank to MAX level line with coolant.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMYD
Changing Engine Coolant (Cont'd)
LC-45

9. Repeat steps 4 through 7 two or more times with radiator cap
installed until coolant level no longer drops.
10. Check cooling system for leaks with engine running.
11. Warm up engine, and check for sound of coolant flow while
running engine from idle up to 3,000 rpm with heater tempera-
ture controller set at several positions between COOL and
HOT.
+Sound may be noticeable at heater water cock.
12. If sound is heard, bleed air from cooling system by repeating
steps 4 through 7 until coolant level no longer drops
+Clean excess coolant from engine.
Ð FLUSHING COOLING SYSTEM ÐNJLC0079S031. Open air relief plug.
2. Fill radiator with water until water spills from the air relief hole,
then close air relief plug. Fill radiator and reservoir tank with
water and reinstall radiator cap.
3. Run engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.
4. Rev engine two or three times under no-load.
5. Stop engine and wait until it cools down.
6. Drain water.
7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 until clear water begins to drain from
radiator.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMYD
Changing Engine Coolant (Cont'd)
LC-46

Radiator (Aluminum type)=NJLC0082Refer to LC-21, ªRadiator (Aluminum type)º.
Overheating Cause AnalysisNJLC0070
Symptom Check items
Cooling sys-
tem parts
malfunctionPoor heat transferWater pump malfunction Worn or loose drive belt
Ð Thermostat stuck closed Ð
Damaged finsDust contamination or
paper clogging
Mechanical damage
Clogged radiator cooling
tubeExcess foreign material
(rust, dirt, sand, etc.)
Reduced air flowCooling fan does not oper-
ate
ÐÐ High resistance to fan rota-
tion
Damaged fan blades
Damaged radiator shroud Ð Ð Ð
Improper coolant mixture
ratioÐÐÐ
Poor coolant quality Ð Ð Ð
Insufficient coolantCoolant leaksCooling hoseLoose clamp
Cracked hose
Water pump Poor sealing
Radiator capLoose
Poor sealing
RadiatorO-ring for damage, dete-
rioration or improper fit-
ting
Cracked radiator tank
Cracked radiator core
Reservoir tank Cracked reservoir tank
Overflowing reservoir tankExhaust gas leaks into
cooling systemCylinder head deteriora-
tion
Cylinder head gasket
deterioration
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMYD
Radiator (Aluminum type)
LC-47

Symptom Check items
Except cool-
ing system
parts mal-
functionÐ Overload on engineAbusive drivingHigh engine rpm under
no load
Driving in low gear for
extended time
Driving at extremely high
speed
Powertrain system malfunc-
tion
Ð Installed improper size
wheels and tires
Dragging brakes
Improper ignition timing
Blocked or restricted air
flowBlocked bumper Ð
Ð Blocked radiator grilleInstalled car brassiere
Mud contamination or
paper clogging
Blocked radiator Ð
Blocked condenser
Ð
Installed large fog lamp
Service Data and Specifications (SDS)
THERMOSTATNJLC0071
Valve opening temperature Above 80.5 - 83.5ÉC (177 - 182ÉF)
Valve liftMore than 9.0 mm/95ÉC (0.354 in/203ÉF)
RADIATORNJLC0073Unit: kPa (bar, kg/cm2, psi)
Cap relief pressureStandard 78 - 98 (0.78 - 0.98, 0.8 - 1.0, 11 - 14)
Limit 59 - 98 (0.59 - 0.98, 0.6 - 1.0,9-14)
Leakage test pressure157 (1.57, 1.6, 23)
ENGINE COOLANT CAPACITYNJLC0080Unit:!(Imp qt)
With reservoir tank8.7 (7-5/8)
Reservoir tank0.7 (5/8)
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMYD
Overheating Cause Analysis (Cont'd)
LC-48

SMA089D
Engine Coolant Mixture Ratio=NJMA0006S03The engine cooling system is filled at the factory with a high-quality,
year-round and extended life engine coolant. The high quality
engine coolant contains the specific solutions effective for the anti-
corrosion and the anti-freeze function. Therefore, additional cool-
ing system additives are not necessary.
CAUTION:
When adding or replacing coolant, be sure to use only Genu-
ine NISSAN Anti-freeze Coolant (L2N) or equivalent. Because
L2N is premixed type coolant.
The use of other types of engine coolant may damage your
cooling system.
+When checking the engine coolant mixture ratio by the coolant
hydrometer, use the chart below to correct your hydrometer
reading (specific gravity) according to coolant temperature.
Mixed coolant specific gravity
Unit: specific gravity
Engine coolant mixture
ratioCoolant temperature ÉC (ÉF)
15 (59) 25 (77) 35 (95) 45 (113)
30% 1.046 - 1.050 1.042 - 1.046 1.038 - 1.042 1.033 - 1.038
50% 1.076 - 1.080 1.070 - 1.076 1.065 - 1.071 1.059 - 1.065
WARNING:
Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot. Serious
burns could be caused by high pressure fluid escaping from
the radiator. Wait until the engine and radiator cool down.
RECOMMENDED FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS
Engine Coolant Mixture Ratio
MA-18