How to Change a Thermostat on 1994 Nissan Maxima

The Maxima is Nissan's flagship sedan, and has been sold in the United States since 1981. For the 1994 model year, the Nissan Maxima was equipped with a 3.0 L V-6 engine, designed and built in Japan. The Maxima's V-6 has a traditional cooling system and uses a thermostat to help monitor engine operating temperatures. Changing the thermostat in the 1994 Maxima is easier than in some cars, but is still a challenge overall. Thermostat replacement is recommended for mechanically-inclined owners.

Instructions

1

Park your Maxima on level ground, free of distraction. Gather all tools needed and let your engine cool for approximately 30 minutes before beginning procedure. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

2

Place the drain pan underneath the radiator and remove the radiator drain plug. Let the coolant completely drain from the system. Keep the coolant away from children and animals; it is very toxic.

3

Locate the thermostat housing directly above the water pump. The Maxima thermostat housing is at the front of the engine bay for easy access. Use the pliers to remove the clamps holding the water hose connected to the thermostat housing. Cap the open end of the hose off, to prevent contamination.

4

Remove the three bolts on the thermostat housing to remove it. Pull the old thermostat out and discard. Prep the contact area by cleaning it thoroughly with a dry towel.

5

Prep the thermostat housing by applying a small amount of liquid gasket sealant to the contact edges of the housing. Place the thermostat in its mount, in the fitting position. Reattach the thermostat housing and loosely turn the bolts by hand.

6

Use your torque wrench to tighten the thermostat housing bolts to between 12 and 15 foot-pounds of torque. This is the most important step for proper thermostat installation. Once you have tightened all of the bolts, double-check the torque level of each.

7

Reconnect the water hose to the thermostat housing. Don't forget to reattach the clamp for proper fitting. Refill the cooling system and reconnect the negative battery cable. Start your engine and check for leaks.