ENGINE MAINTENANCE (QR25DE)MA-15
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1. Install the radiator drain plug. Install the reservoir tank and cylin-
der 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
plug. Use Genuine High Pe rformance Thread Sealant or
equivalent. Refer to GI-21, "Recommended Chemical
Products and Sealants".
: Front
CAUTION:
Do not reuse copper sealing washers.
2. If disconnected, reattach the upper radiator hose at the engine side.
3. Set the vehicle heater controls to the full HOT and heat er 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 recommended coolant or equivalent.
Refer to MA-11, "FOR USA AND CANADA : Fluids and Lubri-
cants".
CAUTION:
Do not use any cooling system additives such as radiator
sealer. Additives may clog th e cooling system and cause
damage to the engine, transmission and/or cooling system.
6. Install an air hose to the venturi assembly, the air pressure must be within specification.
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 vi sible rising in the refill hose. Once the refill hose is
full of coolant, close the ball valve. Th is will purge any air trapped in the refill hose.
Radiator drain plug : Refer to
CO-16, "Exploded View"
.
Cylinder block drain plug (A) : 54 Nm (5.5 kg-m, 40 ft-lb)
Cylinder block drain plug (B) : 9.8 N·m (1.0 kg-m, 87 in-lb)
Tool number : KV991J0070 (J-45695)
Engine coolant capacity
(with reservoir tank) : Refer to
CO-26, "Capacity"
.
Compressed air
supply pressure : 549 - 824 kPa (5.6 - 8.4 kg/cm
2,
80 - 119 psi)
AWBIA1328GB
LLIA0058E
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ENGINE MAINTENANCE (VQ35DE)MA-23
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• 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.
ENGINE COOLANT : Chang ing Engine CoolantINFOID:0000000009464556
WARNING:
Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot. Serious burns could occur from high-pressure
engine 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 pressure to escape. Carefully remove the cap by pushing it down
and turning it all the way.
DRAINING ENGINE COOLANT
1. Remove the engine under cover. Refer to EXT-17, "Removal and Installation".
2. Open the radiator drain plug at the bottom of the radiat or 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/repl acement only. Disconnect the upper heater hose at the
engine side and apply moderate air pressure [103.46 kPa (1.055 kg/cm
2, 15 psi) 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, remo ve 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 all of the drain plugs (A-D) on the cylin-
der block.
6. Check the drained coolant for contaminants such as rust, corro- sion or discoloration.
If the coolant is contaminated, flush the engine cooling system.
SMA412B
PBIC2487E
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MA-24
< PERIODIC MAINTENANCE >
ENGINE MAINTENANCE (VQ35DE)
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 complete ly empty of coolant and water.
• Apply sealant to the threads of the cylinder block drain plug. Use Genuine High Performance
Thread Sealant or equivalent. Refer to GI-21, "Recommended Chemical Products and Sealants"
.
CAUTION:
Do not reuse copp er sealing washers.
2. If disconnected, reattach the upper radiator hose at the engine side.
3. Set the vehicle heater controls to the full HOT and heat er 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 recommended coolant or equivalent.
Refer to MA-11, "FOR USA AND CANADA : Fluids and Lubri-
cants".
CAUTION:
Do not use any cooling system additives such as radiator
sealer. Additives may clog th e cooling system and cause
damage to the engine, transm ission and/or cooling system.
6. Install an air hose to the venturi assembly, the air pressure must be within specification.
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 vi sible 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. Radiator drain plug : Refer to
CO-16, "Exploded View"
Cylinder block front drain plug (LH) (A) (ex-
cept Canada) : 62.0 N·m (6.3 kg-m, 46 ft-lb)
Cylinder block water drain plug (B) : 6.0 N·m (0.6 kg-m, 53 in-lb)
Cylinder block rear drain plug (C) : 78.0 N·m (8.0 kg-m, 58 ft-lb)
Cylinder block RH banjo bolt (D) (oil cooler) : 19.6 N·m (2.0 kg-m, 14 ft-lb)
Tool number : KV991J0070 (J-45695)
Engine coolant capacity
(with reservoir tank) : Refer to
CO-53, "Capacity"
.
Compressed air
supply pressure : 549 - 824 kPa (5.6 - 8.4 kg/cm
2,
80 - 119 psi)
LLIA0058E
Revision: November 20132014 Altima NAM
MA-44
< PERIODIC MAINTENANCE >
CHASSIS AND BODY MAINTENANCE
POWER STEERING FLUID AND LINES : Inspection
INFOID:0000000009464588
FLUID LEVEL
Check power steering fluid level at the scale on reservoir tank cap
indicator.
• Check power steering fluid level with engine stopped and the fluid temp between 0 – 30 ° C (32 – 86 ° F).
• Power steering fluid level should be between the hatching area of the indicator on the power steering reservoir tank cap.
CAUTION:
• Do not overfill.
• Do not reuse used power steering fluid.
• Recommended power steering fluid is Genuine NISSAN E-
PSF or equivalent. Refer to MA-11, "FOR USA AND CANADA :
Fluids and Lubricants".
FLUID LEAKAGE
Check the power steering hydraulic system for leaks, cracks, dam-
age, loose connections, chafing or det erioration. Repair or replace
as necessary.
1. Start engine and allow engine to idle.
2. Turn steering wheel right-to-left several times.
3. Hold steering wheel at each “lock” position for five seconds to check fluid leakage.
CAUTION:
Do not hold steering wheel in a locked position for more
than 10 seconds. Damage to power steering oil pump may
occur.
4. If power steering fluid leakage at connections is noticed, loosen flare nut and retighten.
CAUTION:
Do not over tighten flare nut as damage to O-ring and connection can occur.
5. If power steering fluid leakage from the power steer ing oil pump is noticed, repair connection or replace
power steering oil pump. Refer to ST-15, "Inspection"
.
6. Check steering gear boots for accumulation of power steering fluid. Power steering fluid indicates a leak from the power steering gear, replace as necessary. Refer to ST-36, "Removal and Installation"
.
AXLE AND SUSPENSION PARTS
AXLE AND SUSPENSION PARTS : InspectionINFOID:0000000009464589
Check front and rear axle and suspension parts for excessive play,
cracks, wear or other damage.
• Shake each wheel to check for excessive play.
• Check wheel bearings for smooth operation.
• Check axle and suspension nuts and bolts for looseness.
• Check strut (shock absorber) for oil leakage or other damage.
• Check suspension ball joint for grease leakage and ball joint dust cover for cracks or other damage.
ALGIA0125ZZ
SGIA0506E
SMA525A
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CHASSIS AND BODY MAINTENANCEMA-45
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DRIVE SHAFT
DRIVE SHAFT : InspectionINFOID:0000000009464590
• Check drive shaft mounting point and joint for looseness and other damage.
• Check boot for cracks and other damage.
CAUTION:
Replace entire drive shaft assembly when noi se or vibration occur from drive shaft.
LOCKS, HINGES AND HOOD LATCH
LOCKS, HINGES AND HOOD LATCH : LubricatingINFOID:0000000009464591
SEAT BELT, BUCKLES, RETRAC TORS, ANCHORS AND ADJUSTERS
SEAT BELT, BUCKLES, RETRACTORS, ANCHORS AND ADJUSTERS : Inspection
INFOID:0000000009464592
CAUTION:
• After any collision, inspect all seat belt assembli es, including retractors and other attached hard-
ware (i.e. anchor bolt, guide ra il set). NISSAN recommends to repl ace all seat belt assemblies in use
during a collision, unless not damaged an d properly operating after minor collision.
Also inspect seat belt assemblies no t in use during a collision, and replace if damaged or improperly
operating.
SFA392B
PIIB6450E
Revision: November 20132014 Altima NAM
SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSESMIR-13
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SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS
SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES
Work FlowINFOID:0000000009895302
CUSTOMER INTERVIEW
Interview the customer if possible, to determine the c onditions that exist when the noise occurs. Use the Diag-
nostic Worksheet during the interv iew to document the facts and conditions when the noise occurs and any
customer's comments; refer to MIR-17, "Diagnostic Worksheet"
. This information is necessary to duplicate the
conditions that exist when the noise occurs.
• The customer may not be able to provide a detailed descr iption or the location of the noise. Attempt to obtain
all the facts and conditions that exist when the noise occurs (or does not occur).
• If there is more than one noise in the vehicle, be sure to diagnose and repair the noise that the customer is
concerned about. This can be accomplished by test driving the vehicle with the customer.
• After identifying the type of noise, isolate the noise in terms of its characteristics. The noise characteristics
are provided so the customer, service adviser and technician are all speaking the same language when
defining the noise.
• Squeak —(Like tennis shoes on a clean floor) Squeak characteristics include the light contact/fast movement/brought on by road conditions/hard surfaces
= higher pitch noise/softer surfaces = lower pitch noises/edge to surface = chirping.
• Creak—(Like walking on an old wooden floor) Creak characteristics include firm contact/slow mo vement/twisting with a rotational movement/pitch depen-
dent on materials/often brought on by activity.
• Rattle—(Like shaking a baby rattle) Rattle characteristics include the fast repeated contac t/vibration or similar movement/loose parts/missing
clip or fastener/incorrect clearance.
• Knock —(Like a knock on a door) Knock characteristics include hollow sounding/someti mes repeating/often brought on by driver action.
• Tick—(Like a clock second hand) Tick characteristics include gentle contacting of li ght materials/loose components/can be caused by driver
action or road conditions.
• Thump—(Heavy, muffled knock noise)
Thump characteristics include softer k nock/dead sound often brought on by activity.
• Buzz—(Like a bumble bee) Buzz characteristics include high frequency rattle/firm contact.
• Often the degree of acceptable noise level will vary depending upon the person. A noise that you may judge
as acceptable may be very irritating to the customer.
• Weather conditions, especially humidity and temperature, may have a great effect on noise level.
DUPLICATE THE NOISE AND TEST DRIVE
SBT842
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MIR-14
< SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS >
SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES
If possible, drive the vehicle with the customer until the noise is duplicated. Note any additional information on
the Diagnostic Worksheet regarding the conditions or lo cation of the noise. This information can be used to
duplicate the same conditions when you confirm the repair.
If the noise can be duplicated easily during the test drive, to help identify the source of the noise, try to dupli-
cate the noise with the vehicle stopped by doing one or all of the following:
1) Close a door.
2) Tap or push/pull around the area where the noise appears to be coming from.
3) Rev the engine.
4) Use a floor jack to recreate vehicle “twist”.
5) At idle, apply engine load (electrical load, half-clutch on M/T model, drive position on CVT and A/T models).
6) Raise the vehicle on a hoist and hit a tire with a rubber hammer.
• Drive the vehicle and attempt to duplicate the conditions the customer states exist when the noise occurs.
• If it is difficult to duplicate the noise, drive the v ehicle slowly on an undulating or rough road to stress the
vehicle body.
CHECK RELATED SERVICE BULLETINS
After verifying the customer concern or symptom, chec k ASIST for Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) related
to that concern or symptom.
If a TSB relates to the symptom, follo w the procedure to repair the noise.
LOCATE THE NOISE AND IDENTIFY THE ROOT CAUSE
1. Narrow down the noise to a general area. To help pi npoint the source of the noise, use a listening tool
(Chassis Ear: J-39570, Engine Ear: J-39565 and mechanic's stethoscope).
2. Narrow down the noise to a more specific area and identify the cause of the noise by:
• removing the components in the area that you suspect the noise is coming from. Do not use too much force when removing clips and fasteners, otherwise clips and fasteners can be
broken or lost during the repair, resulting in the creation of new noise.
• tapping or pushing/pulling the component that you suspect is causing the noise.
Do not tap or push/pull the component with excessive force, otherwise the noise will be eliminated only
temporarily.
• feeling for a vibration with your hand by touching the component(s) that you suspect is (are) causing the
noise.
• placing a piece of paper between components that you suspect are causing the noise.
• looking for loose components and contact marks. Refer to MIR-14, "Generic Squeak and Rattle Troubleshooting"
.
REPAIR THE CAUSE
• If the cause is a loose component, tighten the component securely.
• If the cause is insufficient clearance between components:
- separate components by repositioning or loos ening and retightening the component, if possible.
- insulate components with a suitable insulator such as urethane pads, foam blocks, felt cloth tape or urethane
tape. A NISSAN Squeak and Rattle Kit (J-50397) is av ailable through your authorized NISSAN Parts Depart-
ment.
CAUTION:
Do not use excessive force as many components are constructed of plastic and may be damaged.
NOTE:
• Always check with the Parts Department for the latest parts information.
• The materials contained in the NISSAN Squeak and Rattle Kit (J-50397) are listed on the inside cover of the
kit; and can each be ordered separately as needed.
• The following materials not found in the kit can also be used to repair squeaks and rattles.
- SILICONE GREASE: Use instead of UHMW tape that will be visible or does not fit. The silicone grease will
only last a few months.
- SILICONE SPRAY: Use when grease cannot be applied.
- DUCT TAPE: Use to eliminate movement.
CONFIRM THE REPAIR
Confirm that the cause of a noise is repaired by test driving the vehicle. Operate the vehicle under the same
conditions as when the noise originally occurred. Refer to the notes on the Diagnostic Worksheet.
Generic Squeak and Rattle TroubleshootingINFOID:0000000009895303
Refer to Table of Contents for specific component removal and installation information.
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SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSESMIR-15
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INSTRUMENT PANEL
Most incidents are caused by contact and movement between:
1. Cluster lid A and the instrument panel
2. Acrylic lens and combination meter housing
3. Instrument panel to front pillar finisher
4. Instrument panel to windshield
5. Instrument panel pins
6. Wiring harnesses behind the combination meter
7. A/C defroster duct and duct joint
These incidents can usually be located by tapping or moving the components to duplicate the noise or by
pressing on the components while driving to stop the noi se. Most of these incidents can be repaired by apply-
ing felt cloth tape or silicone spray (in hard to reach areas). Urethane pads can be used to insulate wiring har-
ness.
CAUTION:
Do not use silicone spray to isolate a squeak or ra ttle. If you saturate the area with silicone, you will
not be able to recheck the repair.
CENTER CONSOLE
Components to pay attention to include:
1. Shift selector assembly cover to finisher
2. A/C control unit and cluster lid C
3. Wiring harnesses behind audio and A/C control unit
The instrument panel repair and isolation pr ocedures also apply to the center console.
DOORS
Pay attention to the:
1. Finisher and inner panel making a slapping noise
2. Inside handle escutcheon to door finisher
3. Wiring harnesses tapping
4. Door striker out of alignment causing a popping noise on starts and stops
Tapping or moving the components or pressing on them wh ile driving to duplicate the conditions can isolate
many of these incidents. You can usually insulate the ar eas with felt cloth tape or insulator foam blocks from
the NISSAN Squeak and Rattle Kit (J-50397) to repair the noise.
TRUNK
Trunk noises are often caused by a loose jack or loose items put into the trunk by the owner.
In addition look for:
1. Trunk lid bumpers out of adjustment
2. Trunk lid striker out of adjustment
3. The trunk lid torsion bars knocking together
4. A loose license plate or bracket
Most of these incidents can be repaired by adjusting, se curing or insulating the item(s) or component(s) caus-
ing the noise.
SUNROOF/HEADLINING
Noises in the sunroof/headlining area can often be traced to one of the following:
1. Sunroof lid, rail, linkage or seals making a rattle or light knocking noise
2. Sun visor shaft shaking in the holder
3. Front or rear windshield touching headlining and squeaking
Again, pressing on the components to stop the noise while duplicating the conditions can isolate most of these
incidents. Repairs usually consist of insulating with felt cloth tape.
OVERHEAD CONSOLE (FRONT AND REAR)
Overhead console noises are often caused by the cons ole panel clips not being engaged correctly. Most of
these incidents are repaired by pushing up on the c onsole at the clip locations until the clips engage.
In addition look for:
Revision: November 20132014 Altima NAMRevision: November 20132014 Altima NAM