coolant reservoir NISSAN SENTRA 1998 B14 / 4.G Owners Manual

If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by
an extremely high temperature gauge read-
ing), or if you feel a lack of engine power,
detect abnormal noise, etc., take the follow-
ing steps.
WARNING
cDo not continue to drive if your ve-
hicle overheats. Doing so could
cause a vehicle fire.
cTo avoid the danger of being
scalded, never remove the radiator
cap while the engine is still hot.
When the radiator cap is removed,
pressurized hot water will spurt out,
possibly causing serious injury.
cDo not open the hood if steam is
coming out.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road,
apply the parking brake and move the
shift lever to N (Neutral) (manual trans-
mission) or the shift selector lever to P
(Park) (automatic transmission).
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the air conditioner. Open all the
windows, move the heater or air condi-
tioner temperature control to maximumhot and fan control to high speed.
3. If engine overheating is caused by climb-
ing a long hill on a hot day, run the engine
at a fast idle (approximately 1,500 rpm)
until the temperature gauge indication
returns to normal.
4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the ra-
diator before opening the hood. Wait until
no steam or coolant can be seen before
proceeding.
5. Open the hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
6. Visually check drive belts for damage or
looseness. Also check if the cooling fan
is running. The radiator hoses and radia-
tor should not leak water. If coolant is
leaking, the water pump belt is missing or
loose, or the cooling fan does not run,
stop the engine.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair,
jewelry or clothing to come into contact
with, or to get caught in, the running
fan, belts, or fan motor. The fan motor
can start at any time when the coolant
temperature is high.
7. After the engine cools down, check the
coolant level in the reservoir tank with the
engine running. Add coolant to the res-
ervoir tank if necessary. Have your ve-
hicle repaired at an authorized NISSAN
dealer.
IF YOUR VEHICLE
OVERHEATS
6-10In case of emergency
ZX

The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a high-quality, year-round, anti-
freeze coolant solution. The anti-freeze so-
lution contains rust and corrosion inhibitors;
therefore, additional engine cooling system
additives are not necessary.
CAUTION
When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only an ethylene glycol
anti-freeze with the proper mixture ratio
of 50% anti-freeze and 50% distilled
water. The use of other types of coolant
solutions may damage the engine cool-
ing system.
Outside tempera-
ture down toAnti-
freezeDistilled
water
ÉC ÉF
þ35 þ30 50% 50%
WARNING
cNever remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Wait until the en-
gine and radiator cool down. Seriousburns could be caused by high pres-
sure fluid escaping from the radia-
tor.
cSee precautions in ``If your vehicle
overheats'' found in the ``In case of
emergency'' section of this manual.
c
The radiator is equipped with a pres-
sure cap. Use only a genuine NISSAN
cap when replacement is required.
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
With coolant reservoir
Check the coolant level in the reservoir tank
when the engine is cold. If the coolant level
is below MIN, add coolant up to the MAX
level. If the reservoir tank is empty, check
the coolant level in the radiatorwhen the
engine is cold.If there is insufficient cool-
ant in the radiator, fill the radiator with
coolant up to the filler opening and also add
it to the reservoir tank up to the MAX level.
ADI1046
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Do-it-yourself8-5
ZX

1. Move the heater or air conditioner tem-
perature control dial to the maximum hot
position.
2. Open the radiator drain plug. Open the
drain plug on the engine block.3. Open the radiator cap to drain the cool-
ant.
4. Flush the cooling system by running
fresh water through the radiator.
5. Close the drain plugs on the radiator and
the engine block securely.
6. See the ``Technical and consumer infor-
mation'' section for cooling system ca-
pacity. Fill the radiator slowly with the
proper mixture of coolant and water. Fill
the reservoir tank up to the MAX level.
7. Open and close the air release plug(s) to
release air. Then fill the radiator again
and install the radiator cap.
8.
Start the engine, and warm it up until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
Then race the engine two or three times
under no load. Watch the engine coolant
temperature gauge for signs of overheating.
ADI0632
ADI0615
Do-it-yourself8-7
ZX

HEADLIGHTS
The headlight is a semi-sealed beam type
which uses a replaceable headlight (halo-
gen) bulb. A bulb can be replaced from
inside the engine compartment without re-
moving the headlight assembly.
CAUTION
cHigh pressure halogen gas is sealed
inside the halogen bulb. The bulb
may break if the glass envelope is
scratched or the bulb is dropped.
cWhen handling the bulb, do not
touch the glass envelope.
Removing the headlight bulb
1. Open the engine hood.
2. Disconnect the negative (-) battery cable.
3.
If removing the right-hand (passenger
side) headlight bulb, it is necessary to first
reposition the engine coolant reservoir.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from
the rear end of the bulb.
5. Push down the spring retainer.
6. Pull out the headlight bulb and socket as
an assembly. Do not shake or rotate thebulb when removing it. Do not handle the
glass envelope.
Replacing the headlight bulb
1. Insert the bulb and socket assembly into
the headlight.
DO NOT TOUCH THE BULB.
2. Install the spring retainer.
3. Push the electrical connector into the
bulb plastic base until it snaps and stops.
4. If installing the right-hand (passenger
side) headlight bulb, be sure to reposition
the engine coolant reservoir.
5. Connect the negative (-) battery cable.
6. Close the engine hood.
CAUTION
cUse the same number and wattage
as originally installed:
2 DOOR
Wattage 65/55
Bulb no. 9007
4 DOOR
Wattage 65/45
Bulb no. 9004
ADI0607
LIGHT BULBS
Do-it-yourself8-25
ZX

Parking brake* ÐCheck that the lever has
the proper travel and confirm that your
vehicle is held securely on a fairly steep hill
with only the parking brake applied.
Automatic transmission ``Park'' mecha-
nism ÐOn a fairly steep hill check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector
lever in the P (Park) position without apply-
ing any brakes.
UNDER THE HOOD AND VEHICLE
The maintenance items listed here should
be checked periodically, such as each time
you check the engine oil or refuel.
Additional information on the following
items with an ``*'' is found in the ``Do-it-
yourself'' section of this manual.
Windshield washer fluid* ÐCheck for
adequate fluid in the tank.
Engine coolant level* ÐCheck the cool-
ant level when the engine is cold.
Radiator and hoses ÐCheck the front of
the radiator and clean off any dirt, insects,
leaves, etc., that may have accumulated.
Make sure the hoses have no cracks, de-
formation, rot or loose connections.Brake and (if so equipped) clutch fluid
level's* ÐMake sure the brake and clutch
fluid levels are between the MIN and MAX
lines on each reservoir.
Battery* ÐCheck the fluid level in each
cell.
Engine drive belts* ÐMake sure the drive
belts are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level* ÐCheck the level after
parking the vehicle on a level surface, with
the engine off. Wait a few minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Power steering fluid level* and lines Ð
Check the level when the fluid is cold, with
the engine off. Check the lines for proper
attachment, leaks, cracks, etc.
Automatic transmission fluid level* Ð
Check the level after putting the selector
lever in P (Park) with the engine idling at
operating temperature.
Exhaust system ÐMake sure there are no
cracks, holes, loose joints or supports. If the
sound of the exhaust seems unusual or
there is a smell of exhaust fumes, immedi-
ately have the exhaust system inspected by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. (See thecarbon monoxide warning in the ``Starting
and driving'' section of this manual.)
Underbody ÐThe underbody is frequently
exposed to corrosive substances such as
those used on icy roads or to control dust. It
is very important to remove these sub-
stances, from the underbody, otherwise rust
may form on the floor pan, frame, fuel lines
and exhaust system. At the end of winter,
the underbody should be thoroughly flushed
with plain water, especially those areas
where mud and dirt may have accumulate.
See the ``Appearance and care'' section of
this manual.
Fluid leaks ÐCheck under the vehicle for
fuel, oil, water or other fluid leaks after the
vehicle has been parked for awhile. Water
dripping from the air conditioner after use is
normal. If you should notice any leaks or if
gasoline fumes are evident, check for the
cause and have it corrected immediately by
an authorized NISSAN dealer.
9-4Maintenance
ZX

The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure
instructed in the ``Do-it-yourself'' section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
US
measureImp
measureLiter
Fuel 13-1/4 gal 11 gal 50 Unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87 AKI (RON 91)*1
Engine oil (Refill)
With oil filter GA16DE 3-3/8 qt 2-7/8 qt 3.2
API SG or SH and Energy Conserving II*2
API Certification Mark *2 SR20DE 3-5/8 qt 3 qt 3.4
Without oil filter GA16DE 3 qt 2-1/2 qt 2.8
SR20DE 3-3/8 qt 2-7/8 qt 3.2
Cooling system
With reservoir
Antifreeze coolant
(Ethylene glycol base) Manual transmission: SR20DE 6-1/2 qt 5-1/2 qt 6.2
GA16DE 5-1/2 qt 4-5/8 qt 5.2
Automatic transmission: SR20DE 6-1/2 qt 5-1/2 qt 6.2
GA16DE 6 qt 5 qt 5.7
Manual transmission gear oilRS5F31A 6-1/8 - 6-3/4 pt 5-1/8 - 5-5/8 pt 2.9 - 3.2
API GL-4, Viscosity SAE 80W - 90 only
RS5F32V 7-7/8 - 8-1/4 pt 6-1/2 - 6-7/8 pt 3.7 - 3.9
Automatic transmission fluid
Refill to the proper level according to the instructions in the
``Do-it-yourself'' section.Nissan Matic `D' (Continental U.S. and Alaska) or Genuine Nissan Auto-
matic Transmission Fluid (Canada).*3
Power steering fluidType DEXRON
TMIII or equivalent.
Brake fluidGenuine Nissan Brake Fluid*4 or equivalent
DOT 3 (US FMVSS No. 116)
Multi-purpose grease Ð Ð Ð NLGI No. 2 (Lithium Complex)
Air conditioning system refrigerant Ð Ð Ð HFC-134a (R-134a)*5
Air conditioning system lubricantsNissan A/C System Lubricant Type R or equivalent*5
*1: For further details, see ``Fuel recommendation.''
*2: For further details, see ``Recommended SAE engine oil viscosity.''
*3: Dexron
TMIII/MerconTMor equivalent may also be used. Outside the Continental United States and Alaska contact a Nissan dealership for more
information regarding suitable fluids, including recommended brand(s) of DexronTMIII/MerconTMAutomatic Transmission Fluid.
*4: Available in mainland USA through your Nissan dealer.
*5: For further details, see ªAir conditioner specification label.º
CAPACITIES AND
RECOMMENDED FUEL/
LUBRICANTS
10-2Technical and consumer information
ZX