2003 NISSAN X-TRAIL radiator

CO-6
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OVERHEATING CAUSE ANALYSIS

Except cool-
ing system
parts mal-
function— Overload on engineAbusive drivingHigh engine rpm under no
load
Driving in low gear for
extended time
Driving at extremely high
speed
Power train system mal-
function
— Installed improper size
wheels and tires
Dragging brakes
Improper ignition timing
Blocked or restricted air
flowBlocked bumper —
— Blocked radiator grilleInstalled car brassiere
Mud contamination or
paper clogging
Blocked radiator —
Blocked condenser
Blocked air flow
Installed large fog lamp Symptom Check items

ENGINE COOLANT
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ENGINE COOLANTPFP:KQ100
InspectionEBS00KOG
LEVEL CHECK

Check if the reservoir tank engine coolant level is within “MIN” to
“MAX” range when engine is cool.

Adjust engine coolant level as necessary.
LEAK CHECK

To check for leakage, apply pressure to the cooling system with
a radiator cap tester (commercial service tool) and a radiator
cap tester adapter (special service tool).
WARNING:
Do not remove radiator cap when engine is hot. Serious burns
could occur from high-pressure engine coolant escaping from
radiator.
CAUTION:
Higher test pressure than specified may cause radiator damage.
NOTE:
In a case that engine coolant decreases, replenish radiator with engine coolant.

If anything is found, repair or replace damaged parts.
Changing Engine CoolantEBS00KOH
WARNING:

To avoid being scalded, do not change engine coolant when engine is hot.

Wrap a thick cloth around radiator cap and carefully remove the cap. First, turn the cap a quarter
of a turn to release built-up pressure. Then turn the cap all the way.

Be careful not to allow engine coolant to contact drive belt.
DRAINING ENGINE COOLANT
1. Remove RH and LH undercovers.
2. Open radiator drain plug at the bottom of radiator, and then
remove radiator cap.
When drain all of engine coolant in the system, open water drain plug on cylinder block. Refer to
EM-82, "
CYLINDER BLOCK" .
3. Remove reservoir tank and drain engine coolant.
SMA412B
Testing pressure:
157 kPa (1.57 bar, 1.6 kg/cm
2 , 23 psi)
SLC134B
PBIC2250E

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ENGINE COOLANT

4. Check drained engine coolant for contaminants such as rust, corrosion or discoloration. If contaminated,
flush the engine cooling system. Refer to CO-10, "
FLUSHING COOLING SYSTEM" .
REFILLING ENGINE COOLANT
1. Install reservoir tank, and radiator drain plug.
CAUTION:
Be sure to clean radiator drain plug and install with new O-ring.

If water drain plug on cylinder block is removed, close and tighten it. Refer to EM-82, "CYLINDER
BLOCK" .
2. Fill radiator and reservoir tank to specified level.

Pour engine coolant through engine coolant filler neck
slowly of less than 2 (1-3/4 lmp qt) a minute to allow air
in system to escape.

Use Genuine Nissan Anti-freeze Coolant or equivalent
mixed with water (distilled or demineralized). Refer to
MA-17, "
RECOMMENDED FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS".
3. Warm up engine to normal operating temperature with radiator cap installed.
4. Run engine at 3,000 rpm for 10 seconds and return to idle speed.

Repeat two or three times.
CAUTION:
Watch water temperature gauge so as not to overheat the engine.
5. Stop engine and cool down to less than approximately 50°C (122°F).

Cool down using a fan to reduce the time.

If necessary, refill radiator up to filler neck with engine coolant.
6. Refill reservoir tank to “MAX” level line with engine coolant.
7. Repeat steps 2 through 5 two or more times with radiator cap installed until engine coolant level no longer
drops.
8. Check cooling system for leaks with engine running.
9. Warm up engine, and check for sound of engine coolant flow while running engine from idle up to 3,000
rpm with heater temperature controller set at several position between “COOL” and “WARM”.

Sound may be noticeable at heater unit.
10. Repeat step 9 three times.
11. If sound is heard, bleed air from cooling system by repeating steps 2 through 5 until engine coolant level
no longer drops.

Clean excess engine coolant from engine.
FLUSHING COOLING SYSTEM
1. Fill radiator and reservoir tank with water and reinstall radiator cap.
2. Run engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.Engine coolant capacity
(with reservoir tank at “MAX” level)
: Approx. 7.1 (6-1/4 lmp qt)
SMA182B
Reservoir tank capacity (at “MAX” level)
: 0.6 (1/2 lmp qt)
SMA412B

ENGINE COOLANT
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3. Rev engine two or three times under no-load.
4. Stop engine and wait until it cools down.
5. Drain water from the system. Refer to CO-9, "
DRAINING ENGINE COOLANT" .
6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 until clear water begins to drain from radiator.

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RADIATOR

RADIATORPFP:21400
Removal and InstallationEBS00KOI
WARNING:
Do not remove radiator cap when the engine is hot. Serious burns could occur from high-pressure
engine coolant escaping from radiator. Wrap a thick cloth around the cap. Slowly turn it a quarter of a
turn to release built-up pressure. Carefully remove radiator cap by turning it all the way.
REMOVAL
1. Remove RH and LH undercovers.
2. Drain engine coolant. Refer to CO-9, "
Changing Engine Coolant" .
CAUTION:

Perform this step when engine is cold.

Do not spill engine coolant on drive belt.
3. Remove air duct (inlet) and air duct assembly. Refer to EM-15, "
AIR CLEANER AND AIR DUCT" .
4. Disconnect harness connector from fan motor, and move it aside.
5. Disconnect radiator hoses (upper and lower).
6. Remove A/T fluid cooler hoses. (A/T models)

Install blind plug to avoid leakage of A/T fluid.
7. Remove radiator mounting brackets.
8. Remove radiator and radiator cooling fan assembly.
CAUTION:
Do not damage or scratch radiator core when removing.
1. Reservoir tank 2. Reservoir tank cap 3. Reservoir tank hose
4. Radiator mounting bracket 5. Mounting rubber (upper) 6. Radiator cap
7. Radiator 8. O-ring 9. Radiator drain plug
10. Mounting rubber (lower) 11. A/T fluid cooler hose 12. Radiator hose (lower)
13. Radiator hose (upper) 14. Bracket 15. Radiator cooling fan assembly
PBIC2251E

RADIATOR
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INSTALLATION
Install in the reverse order of removal.
INSPECTION AFTER INSTALLATION

Check for leaks of engine coolant using a radiator cap tester adapter (special service tool: EG17650301)
and a radiator cap tester (commercial service tool). Refer to CO-9, "
LEAK CHECK" .

Start and warm up engine. Visually check if there is no leaks of engine coolant and A/T fluid (A/T models).
Checking Radiator CapEBS00KOK
1. Pull negative-pressure valve to open it and make sure that it
closes completely when released.

Make sure that there is no dirt or damage on the valve seat of
radiator cap negative-pressure valve.

Make sure that there are no unusualness in the opening and
closing conditions of negative-pressure valve.
2. Check radiator cap relief pressure.

When connecting radiator cap to radiator cap tester (commer-
cial service tool) and radiator cap tester adapter (special ser-
vice tool), apply engine coolant to radiator cap seal surface.

Replace radiator cap if there is an unusualness in negative-
pressure valve, or if the relief pressure falls below the limit.
Checking RadiatorEBS00KOL
Check radiator for mud or clogging. If necessary, clean radiator as follows.

Be careful not to bend or damage radiator fins.

When radiator is cleaned without removal, remove all surrounding parts such as cooling fan, radiator
shroud and horns. Then tape harness and connectors to prevent water from entering.
1. Apply water by hose to the back side of the radiator core vertically downward.
2. Apply water again to all radiator core surface once per minute.
3. Stop washing if any stains no longer flow out from the radiator.
4. Blow air into the back side of radiator core vertically downward.

Use compressed air lower than 490 kPa (4.9 bar, 5 kg/cm2 , 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.
SMA967B
Standard:

78 - 98 kPa (0.78 - 0.98 bar, 0.8 - 1.0 kg/cm
2 , 11 - 14 psi)
Limit:

59 kPa (0.59 bar, 0.6 kg/cm
2 , 9 psi)
SLC135B

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RADIATOR (ALUMINUM TYPE)

RADIATOR (ALUMINUM TYPE)PFP:21460
Disassembly and AssemblyEBS00KOM
PREPARATION
1. Attach the spacer to the tip of radiator plate pliers A (special ser-
vice tool).
Spacer specification: 1.5 mm (0.059 in) thick × 18 mm (0.71 in)
wide × 8.5 mm (0.335 in) long.
2. Make sure that when radiator plate pliers A (special service tool) are closed dimension H′′ is approx. 7.6
mm (0.299 in).
3. Adjust dimension H′′ with the spacer thickness, if necessary.
DISASSEMBLY
1. Remove upper and lower tanks with a radiator plate pliers B
(special service tool).
CAUTION:
Do not disassemble lower tank and A/T fluid cooler. (A/T
models)
NOTE:
Lower tank and A/T fluid cooler from a single part are handled
as an assembly. (A/T models)
1. Upper tank 2. Sealing rubber 3. Core
4. Lower tank 5. Lower tank (with A/T fluid cooler)
PBIC2493E
SLC655C
SLC903

RADIATOR (ALUMINUM TYPE)
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Grip the crimped edge and bend it upwards so that radiator
plate pliers B slips off.
CAUTION:
Do not bend excessively.

In areas where radiator plate pliers B cannot be used, use
screwdriver to bend the edge up.
CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage tank.
2. Remove sealing rubber.
3. Make sure the edge stands straight up.
ASSEMBLY
1. Clean contact portion of tank.
SLC893
SLC930
SLC931
SLC932