Fluids and LubricantsMotor oil, transmission oil, radiator fluid, power steering fluid, blinker fluid... wait, there is no blinker fluid. Technical discussion and analysis of the different lubricants we use in our cars.
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One thing I learned from talking to a repair shop once, and it worked great for me, was to just skip the rad drain plug and just pull the lwr hose. Fast, easy, and don't have to worry about stripping the plug or anything. Can make a little mess, but after doing it this way a few times you'll get the hang of it to do it w/out a mess.
Also, if you do it this way, keep in in mind that if you just idle the car a bit between drain/fills then you don't have to put the hose all the way on...just put it on like 1/2 way or less, and it holds water just fine while you're just idling in the garage. Of course, put it on all the way when finished, but it makes it easier pulling the hose off/on since it sort of sticks to the plastic rad outlet thingy quite a bit.
One thing I learned from talking to a repair shop once, and it worked great for me, was to just skip the rad drain plug and just pull the lwr hose. Fast, easy, and don't have to worry about stripping the plug or anything. Can make a little mess, but after doing it this way a few times you'll get the hang of it to do it w/out a mess.
Also, if you do it this way, keep in in mind that if you just idle the car a bit between drain/fills then you don't have to put the hose all the way on...just put it on like 1/2 way or less, and it holds water just fine while you're just idling in the garage. Of course, put it on all the way when finished, but it makes it easier pulling the hose off/on since it sort of sticks to the plastic rad outlet thingy quite a bit.
Yeah, I have heard that.....but that also involves removing those f***ing plastic splash guards under there which I avoid at all costs.....those things are the biggest PITA ever......
Yeah, I have heard that.....but that also involves removing those f***ing plastic splash guards under there which I avoid at all costs.....those things are the biggest PITA ever......
LOL, yes, they are a pain, but it's less risk/pain to me than messing w/ the rad plug. I've heard too many stories of them going bad/leaking and at least for me, it's just easier to pull the plastic trim and do it via the hose.
86k on my 02 and the radiator finally cracked. The plastic tank cracked at a seam in the plastic. I am replacing it with an OEM all metal (Aluminum) and dumping the plastic tank version. Dealer wanted $400 for a new radiator. Found it online for less than $200.
I plan to use either Toyota Red or Nissan Green. This thread was a ton of help. Thanks!
86k on my 02 and the radiator finally cracked. The plastic tank cracked at a seam in the plastic. I am replacing it with an OEM all metal (Aluminum) and dumping the plastic tank version. Dealer wanted $400 for a new radiator. Found it online for less than $200.
I plan to use either Toyota Red or Nissan Green. This thread was a ton of help. Thanks!
Heya Chuck.
Did you ever flush your coolant beforehand? I'm at 80.5k. Using the Toyota Red. I should probalby flush it this year. It's been 2 years since I did it.
Did you ever flush your coolant beforehand? I'm at 80.5k. Using the Toyota Red. I should probalby flush it this year. It's been 2 years since I did it.
Flush?? Nope....one part of the preventive maintenance that I neglected. That could explain the crack or it could have been the Nismo rad cap.
I picked up a gallon of the Toyota Red. $ 22.00 a gallon here in C-bus. Nissan Green @ a local dealer was also $22.00 a gallon. Toyota dealer was closer.
Flush?? Nope....one part of the preventive maintenance that I neglected. That could explain the crack or it could have been the Nismo rad cap.
I picked up a gallon of the Toyota Red. $ 22.00 a gallon here in C-bus. Nissan Green @ a local dealer was also $22.00 a gallon. Toyota dealer was closer.
I'm replacing the radiator tonight.
Ah nice. I have the same cap.
Yeah the coolant was pricey. I think I paid around that too.
I'll hit you up if I need to replace mine. You replacing your hoses too?
What's the major pain of removing the splash guards?
Quote:
Originally Posted by kgallerie
Yeah, I have heard that.....but that also involves removing those f***ing plastic splash guards under there which I avoid at all costs.....those things are the biggest PITA ever......
What's the worst part of removing those? Is it just time consuming, or tricky? I have a slow antifreeze leak I can't readily see, so I was planning to take those off to find it...until I saw this post. In 35-45 degree weather, I might let a pro look for it instead, if it's that frustrating.
What's the worst part of removing those? Is it just time consuming, or tricky? I have a slow antifreeze leak I can't readily see, so I was planning to take those off to find it...until I saw this post. In 35-45 degree weather, I might let a pro look for it instead, if it's that frustrating.
It's getting those snap in fasteners to go back in like they're supposed to without breaking any.
It's getting those snap in fasteners to go back in like they're supposed to without breaking any.
Heh. I know exactly what you mean from working on my "old" 240sx. Different area of the vehicle, same kind of frustration! Somebody else seems to have had that problem already, as there's only a couple remaining. Sheesh. Guess I'll have to be extra careful.
Thanks for the quick response. Sigh, will get started on it in the morning.
Heh. I know exactly what you mean from working on my "old" 240sx. Different area of the vehicle, same kind of frustration! Somebody else seems to have had that problem already, as there's only a couple remaining. Sheesh. Guess I'll have to be extra careful.
Thanks for the quick response. Sigh, will get started on it in the morning.
I'm a newbee here, but this what I did. Run the car , put the heater on , drain the coolant from the bottom ,while the car is running with the heater on I put the hose on the radiator flushing the coolant for at least five minutes. turn off the car & let the rest of the coolant drain from the radiator ,close the the plug from the bottom of the radiator & fill it up with the 50/50 antifreeze(prestone) drive the car & tap it off later.
I would go with Toyota or Honda OEM on a foreign vehicle. Yeah, you pay $14/gallon, but you don't worry about issues down the road.
More importantly, flush the system REAL well with distilled water first, then drain the entire radiator and fill with 100% antifreeze. This guarantees you the 50/50 recommended mix.
I have a 98 Max original rad that has been flushed every two years with the Prestone regular stuff. I want to use the Toyota Red, so should I be more diligent in clearing out the old Prestone?
Drain the old anti-freeze and substitute with distilled water or
How about running your hose continuously until it appears all clear?
And once clear, its assumed 50% capacity is already just water and just topping up with Toyota Red brings to about 50/50?
Just a note you guys can buy nissan coolant online from courtesyparts or any nissan dealer that sells parts online. You'll never find it listed as "coolant" or "antifreeze" though so you have to look it up by part number 999MP-AF000P
its listed as "LONG LIFE ANTIF"
courestyparts.com sells it for $18ish
so does infinitipartsusa.com
if you are just flushing with distilled water and then filling the radiator with 100% antifreeze, you just need one bottle.
Nope....one part of the preventive maintenance that I neglected. That could explain the crack or it could have been the Nismo rad cap. 
Guess I'll have to be extra careful. 
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