draining engine coolant?

[joshjv]

Just wondering if anyone has drained their rogue engine of coolant? I am planning on soon installing an engine block heater, similar to the one standard on the Canadian version, and to do so it is necessary to drain the coolant. Does anyone has any tips on the process? I saw the directions in the service manual, seems pretty straight-forward. One question that i had was will I need to open the water drain plugs on the back of the engine?

Any reason not to reuse the coolant that i drain out? I've got less than 4k miles on it. Will be doing this at the same time as I do my first scheduled maintenance.

The whole job of draining, installing heater, and refilling looks pretty simple; however, it will be a bit difficult just based on how confined the spaces around the engine are.

Thanks!Josh

[philipa_240sx]

Hi joshjv,

I assume you read my post regarding the block heater and managed to source the correct unit.

Do not worry about the extra drain plugs. Just drain enough coolant to get the block heater in.

With only 4k miles, I would just reuse the coolant. It's practically new. Just be sure you have a gallon of premixed 'longlife' coolant on hand to replace the stuff that inevitably gets spilt.

As for refilling. I have replaced coolant on a few Nissan's. I also assume you read the FSM on refilling the cooling system.

A few words of advice:

1) Raise the front of the car slightly on jack stands.2) Fill the system slowly and as much as possible when cold. 3) The manual recommends going through a repeated cycle of filling, replace rad cap, warm motor, cool, recheck coolant level. I use a shorter method... but use it at your own risk...

Start the motor with the rad cap off and allow the engine to warm up. You will know when the thermostat opens as coolant will start to flow and the trapped air will start to bubble out. Be patient. Rev the engine periodically and keep adding coolant. It may take a VERY long time to get the air out (about 30-45 min). You will know most of the air is out when you no longer have to add coolant.

5) Make sure you keep the overflow reservoir filled for the next week or so. The last bit of trapped air may work it way out and you don't want to be left without any coolant to refill the system.

[joshjv]

Thanks for the tips, they will be helpful. I haven't decided which of the two heaters i will get, probably whichever can be sourced more quickly, as i believe they were comparable in price.Any idea how much coolant i should expect to drain to get down below the heater plug?

for your refill method, you leave the radiator cap open for that first full refilling period? do you add the coolant directly to the radiator then?

Thanks!

[philipa_240sx]

for your refill method, you leave the radiator cap open for that first full refilling period? do you add the coolant directly to the radiator then?

Thanks!

Yes, I leave the rad cap open and refill directly into the rad.

Nissan's method is more time consuming but is safer. There is less risk of getting hot coolant spraying out and possibly injuring you. Just be sure the engine is completely cool before removing the cap.