2002 - 2018 Nissan Altima 2.5 Liter (QR25DE) Thermostat Replacement - Full Walkthrough!

[@Positiveluv]

I love your videos for a lady. It is so easy for me to do exactly the work I need done with my Bougee nails and my wrench is in torques for real. I am always working on my Ultima and my Mercedes a Cavalier F150 pick up truck and a SUV I am. I’m that kind of lady, so thank you so much for your videos. They’re very helpful and I greatly appreciate them.

[@TheOne4music]

Thanks for this🙏 I got the same code and went to buy a thermostat and the guy from autozone asked me wich thermostat 😂 I think he got confused because they look pretty similar but I'm pretty sure it says water valve in their computer right?😂

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Awesome! Yeah it should say "water control valve" or something like that lol. I can't blame them, this engine is the only one I've ran into with two "thermostats". Thanks for watching! 😊

[@benaldredge2671]

Doing this soon. Thank you for posting!

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Awesome, let us know if you have any questions. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@Similar-the-one]

@@TrickShiftGaragehey man you know why does my 2008 nissan Altima reads the temperature high when driving it couple of blocks

[@kag1444]

Excellent video! Thank you!

[@oliverr6925]

greatly helpful! slightly unsure on what you mean by 12 o clock position, but I am sure I can figure it out.

[@bobbofly]

I'm certain you've tumbled to the answer by now, so this reply is for anyone with the same question. Picture in your mind's eye a transparent clockface over the thermostat opening, only the numbers being visible. 12 at the top, 3 on the right side, 6 on the bottom & 9 on the left. Basically the "jiggle valve" would be positioned at the top, or "12 'o clock position. Now, on the horizontal plane this same system works to indicate "forward" "rear" "left" & "right" positions. you simply imagine the invisible clockface on the ground, instead. For added accuracy you can even fill in the rest of the clock's numbers.

[@3wash_]

Thanks for this video bro, it was very helpful 🙏🏻

[@TrickShiftGarage]

You're welcome bro, thanks for watching! 👍

[@CarolDunbarIII]

Thanks for your help!! I can do this!!!

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment! 🤟

[@antoniosandridge9826]

Perfect vid

[@neilwilliams2193]

Will this work on a 2015 Nissan Altima 2.5? Thank you so much for your helpful video.

[@Mushroomhaus0001]

Would you consider doing a video on replacing the transmission sensors? There’s a few sensors for the CVT and there’s no good KZbin video for all of them. Most of them only show the speed sensor and doesn’t differentiate between input/output or anything on the trans.

[@faithgiant_Ps91]

I heard from Nissan that the fifth gen Nissan Altimas do not have the water control valve, only the thermostat. Have you heard this as well?

[@juanbarona]

Great video. What size is the bolt? I need to buy one. Thank you.

[@AuxiarMolkhun]

Unfortunately my thermostat housing starting dripping 3 days after attempting this. However, I did use loctite not thinking about it on the bolts, and it did seem to have a weird reaction that I think is what ultimately caused it to start dripping. I've cleaned the bolts and re-housed the thermostat and cleaned the housing again, so we'll see if it comes back or not. Edit: Even after cleaning both of the bolts really well, making sure both mating surfaces were spotless, it's still leaking out around the bottom bolt despite no apparent reason to do so. Edit 2: Based on the appearance of the replacement thermostat and its fit in the housing, I believe that the thermostat I ordered my have an undersized gasket, or the thermostat itself may be a little smaller in diameter, as there appears to be virtually no play in the alignment of your new one in the housing, while mine felt like there was too much room to wiggle it around. I'll have to compare the thermostat's size to the old one again and make sure that's not the issue. Edit 3 (Final): I was correct in my assumption on Edit 2, the thermometer's diameter was slightly smaller (thanks Parts Geek), and the gasket, though looking very similar to the old one, was actually a fair bit smaller and did not seat correctly in the thermostat housing. I simply replaced the gasket with the old one as it was still in great shape. This reduced the steady leak into one that was very light, and I could only detect by swiping my fingers along the bottom of the housing once it was all connected. Not knowing what else I could do, I simply tightened the bolts more than the 16 lb-ft that you recommended, as it felt like they still had some room to move without stripping anything out. This, as far as I can tell, has completely removed the leak, at least for now. Before, I went 3 days of testing the car before the leak appeared, so I'm hoping that this time it stays gone.

[@Jonathan-uq5bf]

Nice Video. Just fyi if you have a 2013-2018 you probably just have one Thermostat. Went to the to Nissan's parts department and they couldn't find a second thermostat. Then when I got home noticed that the parts diagram shows a second thermostat for 2012 but when changed to a 2013 Altima that second thermostat is gone. If I am wrong I would be curious where the second one is for a 2013 Altima

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Thanks for the insight! 🙂

[@Tngoz]

I just had the upper radiator hose replaced about a month ago. Guessing it's leaking again because fluid is pooling under it and the air box on to the block. Wish I could send you pics.

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Dang, sorry to hear that! My guess is there's another bad coolant hose or a bad coolant housing gasket. If you follow the upper radiator hose to the engine, there is a big housing that has a bunch of coolant hoses connected to it. It has coolant hoses for the throttlebody as well as the oil cooler behind the engine. Check those hoses to make sure they are not leaking. If they look good, inspect that housing they are all connected to, it could be l leaking through a bad gasket on that housing. I think it's connected with like 2-3 bolts, and you'll need to buy a new gasket and might as well buy a new water control valve and replace it since you got it opened up. Anyways, hope this helps, good luck! 😊

[@Tngoz]

I see the housing unit with the other hoses. Thank you!!

[@Tngoz]

​@@TrickShiftGarage well.... it was a loose clamp on the upper hose at the water valve. Problem solved.

[@elink786]

Thanks ❤❤

[@TrickShiftGarage]

You're welcome, thanks for watching! ❤️❤️

[@peterquest6406]

My Nissan presage 2007 has same engine but I'm sure my thermostat came out opposite way to this,long end doesn't seem to fit into engine end.Is this right or wrong?

[@Stambo59]

What about the other one? Isn't there 2 on some of these engines?

[@roberttoomey1755]

Thanks

[@TrickShiftGarage]

You're welcome 🙂

[@peterquest6406]

My thermostat came out with short facing engine.New one goes in same way,is this wrong? Won't go in with long end facing engine.Car is 2007 Nissan presage qr25 dr engine.

[@itsdarito]

great video; would you recommend installing a transmission cooler; i'm thinking about installing an aftermarket one and need as many altima-owner opinions as i can get

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Yes! I'm for a transmission cooler especially if your in a warmer climate. I'm looking into doing it eventually and install a thermostat with it so it comes on when it reaches 180° temperature first. Thanks for watching and commenting bro! 😊

[@JoNateFool]

Is there a separate video for the 2007-2012 noticed onced you lifted the intake you went back to the old model

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Hi, this video has our 2007 Altima in it so it specifically covers 2007-2012s. The other model years use the same engine and have the same thermostat part number, so it should be the same process. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@joeryaniii]

One more question sorry… my thermostat is wedged inside the block and not inside the piece I took off.. how would you go about getting it out so that I can put the new in? Yours came out with the piece but mine didn’t.. thank bro!

[@TrickShiftGarage]

It should come off with a gentle pull, if not grab some pliers and pull it out, make sure you grab the rubber gasket around the outside of it too. 🙂

[@MC-ph7gr]

Hello. There are 3 O2 sensors on 4 cyc. Altima. Do you know the function of the last downstream one by the middle of the car? TY

[@cameron126651]

Look it up brotha I’m sure you got the answer by now but in case you didn’t upstream sensor monitors fuel ratio and affects gas mileage, downstream monitors emissions and to my understanding it’s less important

[@Stephm8122]

What does it mean when water leaks from the housing after the thermostat was replaced..? All bolts were tightened and housing put back in place

[@TrickShiftGarage]

The rubber seal might not be properly installed or the housing has a crack in it somewhere comes to mind first. Thank for watching! 👍

[@chadc2524]

Hi, I have this same code, why did you replace the bottom thermostat and not the top?? Can you tell me the difference between the two? Thanks!

[@TrickShiftGarage]

So the top one is called a water-control valve but essentially acts like a second thermostat. When the code points to the thermostat, the computer is referring to the bottom one that's replaced here. Hope this helps, thanks for watching! 😊

[@chadc2524]

@@TrickShiftGarage thank you so much. I appreciate your help.

[@Icubela]

Does this resolve P0128 code ? TIA😊

[@joeryaniii]

Also when I drained it was all green does that mean I can’t pour the yellow in?

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Yeah, just stick with the green coolant.

[@joeryaniii]

@@TrickShiftGarage if I used the one that says you can mix with any color, per the guy at Autozone, 🤦🏾‍♂️ should I drain it all again today and swap it with the green?

[@TrickShiftGarage]

What coolant did you use?

[@bigrob9759]

Do you have to drain the entire coolant to do this?

[@TrickShiftGarage]

You don't have to drain it completely. Just loosen the hose by thermostat and whatever amount of coolant that drains out make sure to put back in with fresh coolant. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@faithgiant_Ps91]

Quick question. Did you grab an OEM thermostat from the dealership? Or did you find a good aftermarket brand? And if so, what brand do you recommend? The dealership in my area wants $61.00 just for the thermostat 😳

[@TrickShiftGarage]

I bought a Gates brand thermostat and it's been good so far, zero issues or trouble codes. You can buy it on Amazon for under $20. Here's the link in case you are interested! 😊 amzn.to/3sQEQvw Thanks for watching!

[@faithgiant_Ps91]

@@TrickShiftGarage appreciate the info. I know Gates is a good brand. I use their belts. Thanks again brother 💪🏼

[@TrickShiftGarage]

You're welcome brother! 👍

[@johnluke96]

My Altima is overheating and the thermostat gauge is sporadic. I think I need to replace the thermostat, but it isn't giving me a code. Could it be faulty even if there is no code?

[@engineerssachbaat558]

Yes

[@MC-ph7gr]

Hello. We have the same car and we talked here before. My check engine light is on due to a thermostat warning. My engine heats up a little late but not too late. When I took out the thermostat, the top part was completely close and the bottom completely open. What can be the problem? TY

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Hello again MC! Sorry to hear about your thermostat giving you problems. I'm going to assume here that the thermostat was defective and wasn't operating properly. Go ahead and replace it and see if that fixes the issue. Now, our cars also have the "water control valve" which acts like a second thermostat to the engine, that might also need to be replaced if your thermostat warning comes back. If all else fails, you might need to get it diagnosed at the shop as something deeper is going on. Good luck and as always thanks for watching bro! 😊

[@MC-ph7gr]

​@@TrickShiftGarage Is it possible that thermostat opens too early when it's completely close at room temperature? Also the cooling water is dirty. Can this be the issue?

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Yes, it's possible that is the case. And if your coolant water is dirty then you should drain and refill with fresh coolant, it could be playing a part in this issue.

[@joeryaniii]

Is it a bad sign if I can’t get the cap off? It turns fine but not coming off and I don’t wanna break it

[@joeryaniii]

Can I leave it on and just drain from the bottom if it won’t come off?

[@AdrianAcostaVila]

good!

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Thanks for watching! 👍

[@sharzantaki6434]

If this is bad, does it cost the heater to take an hour or more to turn ? Everyone my 07 altima takes 1 hour or more to turn.

[@faithgiant_Ps91]

There are a few possible reasons, but yes that is one of the main reasons that your heat might be struggling. You can always check your temperature gauge on your dash and see if it is staying down towards the cold or more towards the middle like it is supposed to. if it keeps staying more towards the cold or fluctuating between cold and the middle, it's likely that you could have a thermostat that is stuck open. Commonly, if your heat is not working at full capacity, it could be due to your thermostat being stuck open or stuck halfway open, which if that's the case, you would want to replace it

[@absbica31]

Im replacing my 2 thermostats. I just changed the one that you didnt, and it was a bit of a pain with the bolts. However I noticed with this duralast one that it doesnt sit "snug* in the housing. Do you know if that is normal? The old one (nissan part) had to get pulled out with plyers but the new one just barely fit but could be rotated if you wanted. So i had to make sure it remained vertical as I slipped the housing back on and secured with bolts. Im hoping the pressure of the housing and body prevents it from rotating

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Hmmm 🤔 Unfortunately, I don't know if that is normal as I still have the original one in there. I would just keep an eye on it for the first week and make sure there's no leaks developing and the coolant temperature is warming up like normal and staying at the correct temperature. Hope this helps!

[@badsin4u]

is draining the coolant necessary??

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Yes, if you don't drain it, it will drain out on its own when you remove the bolts on the thermostat housing. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@veronicajefferson988]

I have a 2012 Altima. And it just started leaking out, then out of the blue it ran hot. So maybe it just needs a new thermostat

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Sounds like it could be the source of the leak too. Hopefully that's the case. Let us know if you have any questions, thanks for watching 🙂

[@jgallo52]

my temp gauge is fluctuating and my AC goes in and out, would changing this help my situation>? 2009 altima here

[@TrickShiftGarage]

I would try a look at the cooling fans, they might be going out intermittently. I don't think a bad thermostat should affect your AC like that, but I could be wrong. Just a suggestion, hope this helps. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@engineerssachbaat558]

When engine overheats , Ac can stop giving cold air

[@jalenchristian1242]

Are the locations the same in the 2020 model?

[@TrickShiftGarage]

I am not sure since the 2020 model uses a different engine. Thanks for watching 👍

[@gravitycore1]

this device confuses me as it is not directly connected to the ECU, so how does the computer know when the thermostat is going haywire, how does the device relay data to the car? This is merely me looking for the wires that connects it

[@TrickShiftGarage]

I'm not sure and wondered that when my check engine light was telling me it was a bad thermostat. I think the ECU uses temperature sensors and other inputs to determine when the thermostat is going bad. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@hmercad2]

I have a question. I decide to replace my 2010 Nissan Altima thermostat. I accidentally broke and snap off the bolt. Do you know the size of the bolt?

[@TrickShiftGarage]

I don't know the size of the bolt but you could take the other bolt to the dealer and ask about one. Or you could check Home Depot or Lowe's for the bolt too. Hope this helps, thanks for watching! 🙂

[@hmercad2]

@@TrickShiftGarage This actually helped. I want to various place and ended up in Home Depot. The actual size is M8-1.25 x 25mm. It took awhile to figure it out! I was able to remove the other half of the bolt by using a vise grip! All is good now.

[@RedRabbit4230]

​@hmercad2 just saw ur post am glad you figured it out. I was going to suggest Taking the nut that came off the bolt and use a bolt sizer to get your accurate size. Good deal I'm happy and glad you got it. GREAT SUCCESS TO YOU!!!!

[@LuisPerez-yo8tc]

Can you show that process on Nissan Altima 19 😅

[@TrickShiftGarage]

I wish I could bro, unfortunately Nissan changed up the thermostat on that year. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@michaelmcclellan2880]

Why you didn't show were located

[@1solosoldier]

Yes he did lol😂

[@habitual27]

I got the code and it says bottom thermostat so I'm guessing it's this one right?

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Yes sir, this is the one 😊

[@Icubela]

What was the code ? Is it P0128

[@itsdarito]

hi truck shift garage, i was replacing the high pressure power steering hose on my 08 altima and it accidentially slipped and hit the connector beside the pressure sensor; just to be clear, there's one connector that goes into the pressure sensor and another beside it that goes into something else; do you have any idea what it is/what it does?

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Looking at pictures and diagrams, I think you might have hit the oil cooler temperature sensor connector which is pretty close to the high pressure sensor. But could be wrong, I remember when I was removing the oil cooler how close the power steering pump was next to it. Hope this helps, thanks for watching! 👍

[@itsdarito]

@@TrickShiftGarage i'm pretty sure you're right. how would i go about replacing it? i didn't break the connector itself, but i broke the plasric circular part that the connector goes into

[@jeremynuttall8704]

Great videos as always ! Looking for some info. And/or advice. Is there a time when you would replace the water control valve? Either from a certain code or certain engine operation malfunction. Some context, last winter I had a code of p0125 and a brief episode of overheating on a very cold day. Code and problems went away when the weather changed. Also, to note, I’ve have two stuck open thermostats within 2 years. *2010 Nissan Altima 2.5 base . Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Thanks Jeremy, appreciate the kind words 😊 Wow, sounds like you've had a bad string of luck with your thermostat. One thing to keep an eye on is the temperature rating, make sure you're using the 180° F (82° C) thermostat, they also sell a 205° F (96° C) version of the same thermostat, they just uses a different spring to control the opening characteristics. The water control valve basically functions like a thermostat from what I understand. And since you got the P0125 code which points to a faulty coolant temperature sensor, I'd look into replacing that as well as replacing the water control valve while you're over there. Surprisingly, I haven't had to replace neither of them...yet lol. I knew My thermostat was going bad when my engine light came on and pointed right to the thermostat, so I only replaced that so far. Anyway, hope this helps you out. Good luck and let us know if you have anymore questions! 😊

[@jeremynuttall8704]

Thank you for the info!

[@TrickShiftGarage]

You're welcome, thanks for watching! 👍

[@jonathantorres8379]

My 2011 has 2 thermostats

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Yes, our 2007 does too. Though Nissan calls the second one a "water control valve" but it functions just like a thermostat. The second one sits higher on the engine on the throttle body side. You'll see a bunch of coolant hoses headed towards a housing that unbolts and it sits in there. We'll eventually get to that one too. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@joeryaniii]

And much more liquid is coming out of mine than yours is that ok?

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Yeah that's fine, just make sure you put the same amount back in 😊

[@christophermakhtany345]

So my 2012 Nissan Altima is overheating but I haven't recieved the code when I checked. Could the issue still be the Thermostat?

[@TrickShiftGarage]

If it's an old thermostat, then yes it could. If it's new, you may have a clog somewhere else, like the radiator. Let us know what you find out! 🤟