Postby smj999smj » Fri Nov 29, 2013 5:32 pm
The auto trans is easy. There's a 19mm drain plug on the pan and a 10mm head bolt that holds the dipstick in the tube on the right side of the engine compartment. After warming the vehicle up to normal operating temperature, shut the engine off, remove the drain plug and let the fluid drain into a pan. Replace the drain plug washer and reinstall. Install a trans funnel into the dipstick tube and install about 3-3/4 qts. of Nissan Type "J" or "S" compatible ATF (Nissan Type "S" runs about $9/quart, which is the same as Castrol Multi-import ATF, which runs about $6/qt. I pick up a gallon jug of Valvoline Maxlife ATF from Advance Auto Parts for about $22. Amsoil and Royal Purple also make ATFs that are recommended for Type "S" applications). Start the vehicle, run until the fluid is at operating temperature and check the level. Top off as needed. Usually it takes 4 quarts or just a little under.
The transfer case needs a 10MM hex socket to remove the drain and fill plugs. I've always re-used the aluminum washers, but it is recommended that they be replaced. I highly recommend you purchase a fluid transfer pump. This will make it much easier to fill the transfer case and is also great for filling differentials. They can be found for around $20. Drain the fluid, reinstall the drain plug and fill to the fluid reaches the lip of the drain plug (make sure the vehicle is level). Regular Dexron III can be used in the transfer case, but I use Valvoline Maxlife ATF there, as well.
The radiator coolant is drained trough the radiator drain plug, or "petcock," obviously. The thing to remember about the R51 coolant system is that the radiator cap is not the pressure relief cap, like on earlier Pathfinders. It is actually the coolant reservoir cap that is the vent cap of the system. This is important to know because after you top off the radiator with coolant, you need to reinstall the cap before starting the vehicle or coolant will shoot out of the radiator opening and make a big mess! I prefer to use genuine Nissan green anti-freeze; they also make a longer life, blue antifreeze. But, any universal antifreeze (like Prestone) will work fine. Turn the key "on" and adjust the front and rear heaters to max heat. After draining the coolant, refill the radiator to the type with premixed antifreeze or a 50/50 mixture of concentrated antifreeze and distilled water. When the radiator is full, install the radiator cap and fill the reservoir to the "max" line. Install the reservoir cap. Raise the front of the vehicle or park on an incline for best purging results. Start the vehicle and let it warm up enough so that the thermostat will open; I usually run the engine at approximately 2500 RPM during this process. Usually about 10 minutes of this will purge most of the air out. Top off the reservoir as needed. If you experience any issues with poor heat, repeat the purge process again.