How to Replace the Heater Hoses in a Nissan Maxima
- 1). Locate the heater hoses on your Nissan Maxima that run to the heater core near the radiator. They are smaller than radiator hoses but look the same, and are at the firewall on the passenger side of the car.
- 2). Turn the engine off to the Maxima and drain all coolant from the radiator. Put a drain pan underneath the radiator to catch any excess coolant and open the radiator petcock, located at the bottom of the radiator.
- 3). Transfer the drained coolant to an approved sealable container for proper disposal. Check with your local municipality regulations for specific disposal requirements, as coolant is very toxic.
- 4). Remove the heater hose clamps using pliers or a screwdriver. Slice the old heater hoses along their length with a sharp utility knife to make removal of the hoses easier. Carefully lift them up and out of the engine compartment.
- 5). Clean the clamp fittings with a multipurpose cleaning solution, and then use gasket sealer on the fitting for a secure connection.
- 6). Insert the new heater hoses by sliding the clamps over them and tighten them to make a secure connection that won't leak.
- 7). Refill the radiator with new coolant. Turn the engine back on, and wait until the Maxima warms up. Check the fittings and connections for leaks. If you find leaks, recheck the heater hose and clamp connections and check for leaks once again. Repeat until the system is free of leaks.
- 8). Check the level of coolant again and add more if necessary after the leak check of the heater hoses before you close the hood. Your Maxima needs to have least a 50 percent level of coolant to run efficiently.
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