How to bleed cooling system?

Tiny
BUSINESSFRED
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 123,000 MILES
Just serviced my car listed above is the US version.

Replaced the two thermostats and ECT sensor.

After pulling OBD2 code
P0128.

What is the proper way to bleed the system?

Also where is the coolant reservoir located?
Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 AT 9:35 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
There is no "bleed" procedure for this vehicle. Basically it tells you to fill the radiator, run the vehicle until the thermostat opens, then flush the fluid if needed. However, once it is open you top off the radiator.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

As for this code, are you sure this is new since you replaced these parts? If it is then you still have an issue because this code is telling you that the engine temperature is not high enough even though it has run enough to be hot. Basically there is a timer in the PCM that expects to see a certain temp after a certain amount of time. When it doesn't then it sets this code.

That could be due to a stuck thermostat open or a temp sensor. Since these are new, and if this code is new, I suspect one of them is defective.

I attached the testing so that you can run through it and see which it is.

As for the reservoir it is in the box of this exploded view.

Thanks
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 9:58 AM
Tiny
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The code was prior to the repair.

I couldn't find any information online about it. Thank you very much.
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 5:03 PM
Tiny
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You are welcome. If the code did not return, then I would fill the system and rev the engine a few times to make sure there are not air pockets and then start driving it. Check the coolant level after the first couple of trips and if there are no issues, you are good to go. Thanks for the update and let us know if you need more info. Thanks
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:06 PM
Tiny
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I found a leaking hose right under the ECT Sensor.

How can I identify this part?
It's curved and closest to the ECT sensor.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 4:21 PM
Tiny
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Here's a picture:
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 4:22 PM
Tiny
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Just to confirm it is the one I pointed too?

Does your vehicle have CVT transmission? If it does, I suspect it is number 2 on the diagram. The larger hose appears to be the upper radiator hose.

You can confirm this by following it to the radiator and make sure it lines up with the diagram.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 4:36 PM
Tiny
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It leads out towards the rear side of the engine.

It's smaller than the large hoses.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 4:41 PM
Tiny
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Yeah. Take a look at those attachments to my last post. I think it is number 2. However, let's trace the hose and see where it stops. It should be the radiator if I am correct.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 4:43 PM
Tiny
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It's from the thermostat housing to underneath the intake manifold.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 4:49 PM
Tiny
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Okay. Out of the thermostat housing helps. Take a look at this one I attached. Is it B? Looks like that goes to the oil cooler. If not then it is C that goes to the heater core. B is going to be a smaller line then C but both of these are going to be smaller then the large radiator hoses.
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Sunday, December 6th, 2020 AT 2:54 PM
Tiny
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Thank you so much.
It's definitely B.
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Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM
Tiny
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You are welcome. Let us know if you need more info. Thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 6:38 PM

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