How Do I Flush the Radiator in a Nissan 1995 Pathfinder?

A 1995 Nissan Pathfinder is a trusty companion that has lasted a long time. Proper maintenance will keep it operating for a few more seasons. Flushing the radiator every two years will keep the coolant system running smoothly. If not, the engine block can overheat and cause serious damage.

Instructions

Draining

1

Park your Pathfinder on a level surface and engage the parking break. Raise the hood. Make sure the engine has been off for at least 15 minutes, and the radiator is cooled down.

2

Move the temperature control on your dashboard heater/air-condition unit to the maximum hot setting. This will open up the heater coolant control valve.

3

Loosen the radiator cap on top of your radiator to let any pressure escape, then remove completely. Place the bucket underneath the drain valve, which is located on the bottom of the radiator. Loosen and open the drain valve, then open the drain plug, which is located on the engine block. Locate and open the air release plug, which will drain the coolant into the bucket.

Flushing

4

Close the drain valve after the coolant has drained on its own. This should be 40 to 50 percent of the total coolant. Prepare coolant for proper disposal by placing it in a sealed container.

5

Fill the radiator with water, warm up the engine for a few minutes and then let the radiator cool. Remove the drain valve again and let the fluid drain into the bucket. Repeat one or two more times as necessary to remove any debris in the system until the fluid runs fairly clear.

6

Close the drain valve on the radiator and the drain plug on the engine block and make sure both are tight before adding any coolant.

Refilling

7

Fill the radiator slowly with the proper mixture of coolant and water. A combination of 50 percent coolant to 50 percent water is standard in most vehicles and is recommended for the 1995 Pathfinder in areas where the low temperatures are extreme in the winter. In warmer climates, you can use a mixture of 70 percent water to 30 percent coolant, which will protect your engine to temperatures as low as 5 degrees Farenheit.

When the coolant mixture has reached the bottom of the fill neck, fill the radiator reservoir to the fill line.

8

Start the car and let it idle for 10 minutes. You can top off the radiator with more coolant if needed. Let the engine cool and check the levels again to make sure there are no leaks. Check the temperature gauge for any sign of overheating.

9

Install the radiator cap and close the air release plug. You are finished. Don't forget to dispose of the old coolant responsibly. Take it to a facility for hazardous materials disposal or to a local garage where they can dispose of it for you.