Coolant changing Hi there, I want to completely change the coolant in my Nissan Pulsar 1.8L (1989). But don't know which hose to take out to drain all the old coolant from the radiator? Any other tips will be welcomed. Thanks a lot.

Quite often when replacing coolant in older vehicles new leaks start to show up. The newer technology in coolant makes it a really good cleaner, and when it I changed it would clean out any bit of rust scale exposing weak areas where new leaks can form. If the leak is coming from the front of the engine where the drive belts run, there's a good chance it is coming from the water pump.

If you can't find the drain plug, maybe there isn't one. Put a container under the hose you need to change. Undo the clips at each end and pull the hose off one end. Point the loose end of the hose so the coolant goes into the container you put under the car. Replace the hose with the new one, do the clips up and then pour the coolant back in to the system (IF it is clean and not full of bits of dirt etc!) If it is dirty, then use clean water and antifreeze to make a 50 / 50 mixture and fill the system with that. Be careful not to pour the mixture in too quickly or you will make an air lock in the system.

What engine 2.2 or 2.4 ?
Important: On vehicles equipped with the 2.4L engine, open the coolant air bleed valve. The coolant air bleed valve is located on the top of the thermostat bypass pipe/heater pipe assembly. Close the valve once a continuous stream of coolant is expelled from the valve.
Does the cooling fan come on ?
Notice: When adding coolant, it is important that you use GM Goodwrench DEX-COOL™ coolant. If coolant other than DEX-COOL™ is added to the system, the engine coolant will require change sooner: at 50 000 km (30,000 miles) or 24 months.
Close the radiator drain ****. Remove the drain hose.
If previously removed, install the engine block drain plugs.
When installing the drain plugs, use pipe sealer GM P/N 12346004.
Important: On vehicles equipped with the 2.4L engine, open the coolant air bleed valve. The coolant air bleed valve is located on the top of the thermostat bypass pipe/heater pipe assembly. Close the valve once a continuous stream of coolant is expelled from the valve.
Fill the surge tank to the base of the filler neck.
Start the engine with the pressure cap off. Let the engine run until the upper radiator hose starts to get hot.
If the coolant level in the surge tank is low, add the proper mix of coolant until the level reaches the full cold line.
Important: After servicing the cooling system, and if the vehicle is equipped with an intermittent low coolant light, an occasional low coolant light may be encountered during some extreme driving maneuvers. This complaint should be eliminated by removing the surge tank cap and adding coolant to a level just at or above the full cold line when the system is cold.
Install the cap onto the tank with hand tight pressure.

Make sure the fans are coming on or it will over heat. If the fans come and the gauge is reading hot check the thermostat. Follow the top radiator hose to the engine block it probably has 2 bolts holding the thermostat housing on.

manual or auto

You really won't lose that much coolant in just changing the upper hose.
But, crawl underneath the front of the car, and somewhere along the bottom left or right hand corner of the radiator, you'll find a valve of some type. Either rotate/turn the valve, or pull and turn, to open. Be sure to have a clean bucket ready and under the drain while doing this, to catch the drained fluid.

Then remove the radiator cap to allow air in the top of the radiator and speed the flow. Drain only to a point in the radiator that is below the lowest point of the top radiator hose, probably the engine end. Close the drain.
Remove/replace the radiator hose. Pour coolant from bucket back into the radiator where the cap was removed. If it does not all go, then save.
Start engine and allow to warm up. As soon as you see the level drop (meaning the thermostat has opened) add more coolant, and continue doing so until no more coolant can be added. Replace the cap. Monitor the coolant reservoir and add coolant as needed to the appropriate fill line.
Do not store excess coolant where pets/animals could consume as it lethal such creatures.

There should be a petcock on the bottom of the radiator. If not, remove the lower hose, and this will drain the coolant. You may not need to drain it, as I usually don't when I do them. You will lose a little out of the hoses, but it is up to you.

first off make sure the car has cooled down from its last drive then remove the radiator cap now look at the bottom of the radiator you should see an odd looking white screw that sticks out remove this screw it is the drain for the coolant make sure you have a bucket to dispose of the coolant once it has drained get your garden hose and flush it out then refill it

f.y.i. coolant is very sweet to the taste but it is very poisonous so make sure you do not leave it out for any cats or dogs because they will drink it and die

There is a small bypass hose for the thermostat. Are you asking how to do a complete flush? If you want to make sure you get all the coolant out there is a 14mm drain plug on the left side of the engine block that will allow all the coolant to drain. It is tough to get to without the right tools. Make sure you remove the small bleeder screw on the thermostat housing when refilling so all the air is purged from the system.

there is no drain plug on the engine block unfortunately, however taking the lower radiator hose off will drain almost all the coolant out off the block. then reconnect the lower hose and fill completely with just water and flush solution let sit for a few minutes. then take lower hose off again let it completely drain. reconnect lower hose and fill with 60/40 mix of coolant this will protect to -40 degrees F. when you have it completely full keep cap off radiator and start vehicle turn your heater on hot and the fan to high. top off with coolant and replace cap. there should be no need to bleed system of air. please rate this solution.