92SEPathFindr

Thank all!! ahardb0dy, thanks for the link and there is one "to" hose, one "overflow", & one "inner" hose. I replaced the overflow (looked horrible) and the inner (was loose) and cut off 2 inches of the "to" hose (because it was loose). After thinking it over, I think we need to fill the overflow reservoir to the "Max Line" because that creates an existing vacuum/siphon situation. Then when/if there is an overheat, fluid flows in and create and because there's fluid already there it creates a siphon effect and when the pressure reverses the fluid is sucked back into the radiator. My overall point is OVERHEATING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE ..LOL and indicates big problems aside from a burst hose. PathyAndTheJets, thanks and yes I did get a new 13lb cap from Pep Boys ($7/made in Mexico). The old cap was original equipment (26 years) and the rubber was bad and decaying. There is no bleed tee that I see. But that bleeder bolt on the manifold is GREAT! Yes silverton, I know what you mean but that corruption is throughout the entire system including all the passages inside the engine, the heater core, the hoses, and the radiator. Total and thorough flushing is required to clean a contaminated system from what I have just learned. If the system is maintained and functional that's great but mine was contaminated. Now, I have flushed the system 5 times (3 Prestone/2 Tide powder dissolved) and just added this kick-ass product, Thermocure, for a few days and then I will flush again before the final filling with antifreeze & distilled H2o. Here's some photos of the product and from today of my new to me Pathfinder. Thanks for the advice and help everyone!! All the best, Aaron

Thanks ahardb0dy, I learned about the bleed bolt. Very nice feature! I think the need of a more aggressive flush depends on the condition of the cooling system. In my case, the Tee cut into the heater intake hose really helps to flush the entire system with hose pressure. I'm very satisfied with the results and I will be flushing it twice more before the final refilling. My heater works well with good fan power and my temp gauge, once warm, stays pegged right about 1/4. I don't have a FSM yet but the owner's manual states to fill the overflow reservoir to the "Max" line when refilling the system. After cleaning, I replaced the tubes in and out of the reservoir, yet I am uncertain as to what is it's function aside from being just an overflow reservoir. My question is about the overflow reservoir. After starting (when cold) does the radiator purge into the reservoir while heating and then suck it back out once the thermostat opens? Cheers and thanks for feedback everyone!

Yes, it was rusty, rusty water with a lot of really fine rusty silt and I think just plain water no antifreeze. After draining I added another dissolved box of Tide, ran it for 30 minutes, drained, then flushed with the Prestone Tee while the cap and radiator drain were off. Added another bottle of Prestone flush, drove it, drained and flushed with hose water. This time inadvertently I unscrewed the drain/plug completely out and it flowed out great. Flushing with the plug out really allowed good flushing! Now the system contains distilled h2o & Prestone flush/cleanser until the next flush. Then one more product "Thermocure Rust Remover" before I flush again & then add 60/40 antifeeze/distilled H2o is my plan. Yeah, the rice trick works well and I added some dishwasher powder and dish soap. My question is about the overflow reservoir as my previous vehicles didn't have this kind: After starting (when cold) does the radiator purge into the reservoir while heating and then suck it back out once the thermostat opens? Thanks!

Found a cool video on the coolant system:

Update: I drained the system/radiator, filled with Prestone Flush and then hose water, ran it for 30 minutes+/-. Drained it, added powdered Tide (whole tiny box from laundromat) after dissolving it in hot water (recommended by a career mechanic I know), ran it and drove it for 30 minutes+/-. Cleaned the reservoir overflow with hot water, dish soap, and added white rice to scour the inside clean and that worked well. And that's it so far. When I removed the battery I found two, stripped from abrasion, wires? Here are photos of the progress and the wires:

Thanks Steve_RI! Anyone replaced that miserable drain on the radiator with a valve or something that opens and closes more efficiently? Or maybe the bottom of my radiator is full of debris? I don't know but the drain seems horribly slow and restricted. Thanks again for the help!

Great, thanks for the help Slartibartflast and silverton. I have used the Prestone Tee on my Subaru over 10 years ago and the Tee has held up great with a few flushes since. I plan on doing basically what you described. I haven't done this yet and was looking to get feedback beforehand. 1) Not necessary to open the two block drain bolts right? 2) On refilling I will need to use that bleeder bolt (driver's side toward the rear with the sticker that says only open while cold) to get all the air out correct? 3) I've read about others using baking soda, or Tide powdered detergent, or something called Formula 88 for the flushing process. Anyone ever used CLR, (Calcium, Lime, Rust)? Thanks for the tips. Aaron

Does anyone have the FSM picture with how the coolant flows through the engine, radiator, and heater and can you link to it or post it here? Thanks

Thanks for your information Old-Timer! I am thinking about a way to recirculate the water plus flush product(s) so that I can filter out particles (with a very fine large screen I have) and maintain the water hot enough to open the thermostat while doing this repeatedly maybe with different products. A career mechanic I know said put some Tide laundry powder in with the radiator water, run the car for 5 minutes then drain, repeat until cleaned, then flush with clean water, then add coolant/distilled mix, etc. He also said doing it this way I would NOT need to remove the thermostat. Another online thread recommended Formula 88. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Formula-88-All-Purpose-Cleaner-and-Degreaser-128-oz-04312/100145974?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|G|0|G-BASE-PLA|&gclid=CjwKEAiAmNW2BRDL4KqS3vmqgUESJABiiwDTODN_MIYGzf7lyKcJ6W877rIDwceGsMuVGh1OtowdeBoCcE3w_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds Any other cooling flush knowledge? Thanks

I Appreciate the feedback Steve. Thank you.

Any thoughts/advice? Thanks a lot.

After looking into quite a bit I was planning to follow the Prestone directions (sort of): Remove & clean overflow reservoir and leave it unhooked until finished flushing. Drain radiator, put the Tee in the heater hose inlet hose, close radiator drain, add the cooling system cleaner & water and run engine for 10 minutes (or more), then hook garden hose to Tee and put splash deflector tube in radiator opening and run engine while flushing the system with the hose-water until the water runs clear. Then I thought I would do the process a second or even a third time. Then after reconnecting the overflow reservoir, add 60/40 mix coolant/distilled h2o until full and I was planning on opening that bleed bolt on the top intake Plenum to let the air completely out of the system. My questions: 1) Which hose of the two hoses is the "heater inlet hose"? Top hose or bottom? My photos show the hoses. 2) Do the engine block drains need to be opened? There are two correct? 3) Does the thermostat have to be removed? 4) Anything you would do differently or recommend also doing? Thanks again!

http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/topic/41514-hello-npora/?p=772827

Hi friends, I'm new to Pathfinders and hope to get a bit of help. My radiator fluid/coolant is rusty colored. I want to flush the system well a few times with some of the flush products before I refill it with antifreeze & distilled h2o. In 2011 there was quite a bit of work done including engine, water pump, all hoses, clutch, and more and I assume the thermostat. I bought a Prestone Flush kit which includes the Tee fitting. I don't have a FSM yet and there is a lot of different advice about how best to do this and not necessarily for my year Pathfinder. Any help? Thanks! I have a photo of the heater hoses coming through the firewall and I want to find which one is the "heater inlet hose". My kit says to put the Tee in that hose. Cheers and thanks a lot. http://s304.photobucket.com/user/ut234/library/1992%20Pathfinder%20SE