Nissan Maxima Service and Repair Manual: Engine maintenance (VQ35DE)

DRAINING ENGINE COOLANT

1. Remove the engine under cover. Refer to EM-23, "Removal and Installation".
2. Open radiator drain plug at the bottom of radiator and remove the radiator filler cap. This is the only step required for a partial cooling system drain. CAUTION: Do not allow the coolant to contact drive belt.
3. If removing the heater core, remove the upper heater hose from the engine coolant outlet and apply moderate air pressure of 103.46 kPa (1.055 kg-cm2, 15 psi) maximum for 30 seconds into the hose to blow out excess coolant from the core.
4. For a complete cooling system drain, remove the reservoir tank and drain the coolant, and then clean the reservoir tank before installation. CAUTION: Do not allow the coolant to contact drive belt.
5. When performing a complete cooling system drain remove the cylinder block front drain plug and the cylinder block RH drain plug.
6. Check the drained coolant for contaminants such as rust, corrosion or discoloration.

• If contaminated, flush the engine cooling system.

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 completely empty of coolant and water.
• Apply sealant to the threads of the cylinder block drain plugs. Use Genuine High Performance Thread Sealant or equivalent.

Radiator drain plug : Refer to CO-14, "Removal and Installation".
Cylinder block front drain plug : 9.8 N*m (1.0 kg-m, 87 in-lb)
Cylinder block RH drain plug : 19.6 N*m (2.0 kg-m, 14 ft-lb)

2. If disconnected, reattach the upper radiator hose at the engine side.
3. Set the vehicle heater controls to the full HOT and heater 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.

Tool number : KV991J0070 (J-45695)

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.

CAUTION: Do not use any cooling system additives such as radiator sealer. Additives may clog the cooling system and cause damage to the engine, transmission and/or cooling system.

Engine coolant capacity (with reservoir tank) : Refer to MA-15, "FOR USA AND CANADA : Fluids and Lubricants" (United States and Canada) or MA-16, "FOR MEXICO : Fluids and Lubricants" (Mexico).

6. Install an air hose to the venturi assembly, the air pressure must be within specification.

Compressed air supply pressure : 549 - 824 kPa (5.6 - 8.4 kg/cm2, 80 - 119 psi)

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 visible 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.
8. Continue to draw the vacuum until the gauge reaches 28 inches of vacuum. The gauge may not reach 28 inches in high altitude locations; use the vacuum specifications based on the altitude above sea level.

Altitude above sea level Vacuum gauge reading
0 - 100 m (328 ft) : 28 inches of vacuum
300 m (984 ft) : 27 inches of vacuum
500 m (1,641 ft) : 26 inches of vacuum
1,000 m (3,281 ft) : 24 - 25 inches of vacuum

9. When the vacuum gauge has reached the specified amount, disconnect the air hose and wait 20 seconds to see if the system loses any vacuum. If the vacuum level drops, perform any necessary repairs to the system and repeat steps 6 - 8 to bring the vacuum to the specified amount. Recheck for any leaks.
10. Place the coolant container (with the refill hose inserted) at the same level as the top of the radiator. Then open the ball valve on the refill hose so the coolant will be drawn up to fill the cooling system. The cooling system is full when the vacuum gauge reads zero.

    CAUTION: Do not allow the coolant container to get too low when filling, to avoid air from being drawn into the cooling system.

11. Remove the Tool from the radiator neck opening.
12. Fill the cooling system reservoir tank to the specified level and install the radiator cap. Run the engine to warm up the cooling system and top up the system as necessary.
13. Install the engine under cover.

FUEL LINES

FUEL LINES : Inspection

Inspect fuel lines, filler cap and tank for improper attachment, leaks, cracks, damage, loose connections, chafing or deterioration.

If necessary, repair or replace damaged parts.

AIR CLEANER FILTER

AIR CLEANER FILTER : Removal and Installation

1. Air duct hose and resonator assembly
2. Front air duct
3. Air cleaner case (lower)
4. Grommets
5. Air cleaner case mounting bracket
6. Bracket
7. Air cleaner filter
8. Air cleaner case (upper)
9. Mass air flow sensor
1. To electric throttle control actuator
2.  Air cleaner case side clips

CHANGING THE AIR CLEANER FILTER

NOTE: It is not necessary to remove the front air duct to replace the air cleaner filter.

1. Unhook the air cleaner case side clips.
2. Remove the air cleaner filter.
3. Install a new air cleaner filter.
4. Lock the air cleaner case side clips.

ENGINE OIL

ENGINE OIL : Inspection

OIL LEVEL

NOTE:

• Before starting the engine, check the oil level. If the engine is already started, stop it and allow 10 minutes before checking.
• Check that the oil level is within the range as indicated on the dipstick.
• If it is out of range, add oil as necessary until the dipstick indicates the correct level.