2001-2004 Pathfinder Infiniti QX4 both thermostats replaced

How to replace both thermostats (one water control valve) on a 3.5L Nissan Infiniti Pathfinder or QX4. This was a 2002 QX4 that was overheating intermittently. 2003 01 02 03 04 Infinity
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[@aarongarney2118]

Thanks for letting me know there's another effin' thermostat in the system. I've been nursing an 01, and just crossed 330,000 miles. Recently started intermittent overheating issue as you describe. Took off to work today, and had to pull over a few miles from the house, to smack the blower motor, which started acting up a couple days ago. Got back into the ride, and noticed the temp gauge was up. Ended up replacing the thermostat, then listening to the 3.5 telling me to fuck off. I'd replaced the water pump on the thing a couple of years ago, radiator out, etc....and had no issues with burping the system. Here I am. If I weren't a jackass, I'd have a proper repair manual...... Looks like I'll be riding the motorcycle to work for the next few days, and tackling that "water valve" job......over the weekend. FML.

[@autospeed]

That was just plain awesome! Not only did you change that out like a pro, and explain it well, I was chuckling the whole time. Thanks for the upload, I'm subb'd for sure!!!

[@letsgobrandon8661]

not only educational but hillarious!

[@katielyb]

So you know, the fact that I have this vehicle and mine is likely as ghetto as that one was a matter of circumstance. Being the single mother of a special needs child leaves me pretty financially strapped. Luckily I made the choice long ago to gain myself some mechanical skills so I don't have to pay a shop to do the work. You're freaking awesome! I've read so many forums saying replacing the therm didn't fix the overheating problem. I cannot thank you enough for including the "water valve" in this video and sharing this. As many mice as there are in my neighborhood because of the two wooded areas and large field within viewing distance of my home I'm sure I'll have the same mouse turd problem so that's helpful to know as well. I already know about the wasps nest and have taken steps to alleviate them but am not sure it worked. They're in a spot that's hidden behind a shroud so I can't be certain but I'm hopeful. Anyways, thanks again, truly. If it weren't for people like you who knows how much more time I would have wasted.

[@javier-m75]

WTF?? IM GIVING YOU A THUMBS UP BECAUSE I CAN.

[@geeznogoodname]

Changed the front thermostat, radiator and still overheating off and on. Probably need to change out that rear thermostat, I mean "water control valve". Looks like a pain! But thanks for the video!

[@RustBeltAuto]

You should probably make sure all the air is out of the system.

[@geeznogoodname]

@@RustBeltAuto I did bleed the air out after I changed the radiator and front thermostat. I was thinking it might be the water pump but there's no water loss. I really don't want it to be that PITA water control valve! :) Thanks for the suggestion!

[@geeznogoodname]

@@RustBeltAuto Got around to replacing the water control valve and what a PITA!!! But, it looks good. Took it for a long driver and no overheating! Followed your video, except I didn't have to vacuum any mouse turds! Thank you!!

[@stephenmerkel7078]

@@geeznogoodname I'm having a similar overheating issue with my 2004 Pathfinder ... Just curious, dd you have any problems after your "long drive" or did that fix the problem?

[@DavidHernandez-ue4fz]

@@stephenmerkel7078 did you fix it? I have the same issue with my 02 QX4 same motor,I replaced radiator,antifreeze,front thermostat,bleed the system and still the same overheating,according video looks very hard to replace rear thermostat,any other suggestions? Thanks

[@roheliak]

Thank you Sir! I'm I need to replace the valve cover gaskets and I was checking on all the crap I can work while I have that upper intake off.

[@kaosaechao2659]

Thank You For Sharing us your Video i Change The Front And Rear Thermostats And All Spark plugs On My 2001 Nissan pathfinder Everything is Good Now Thanks Again i'm From Vancouver British Columbia Canada love it 😎😁👍👍👌

[@RustBeltAuto]

Welcome!

[@jameshrenn]

Good job describing what you're doing on that ghetto Infiniti

[@RustBeltAuto]

Thanks!

[@dennispatterson2896]

Thank you, I laughed, great video and a lot of help,

[@b-radumuck7903]

Thank you for being real and making it sorta fun .. first thing im ima gonna ask myself is "Y" lol

[@on1ytheb3st]

What coolant do these engines take, the manual just says "Genuine Nissan Coolant". Can you remove that last lower plenum without removing the fuel rails and injectors?

[@RustBeltAuto]

I put global coolant in everything. You need to remove all kinds of fun stuff to get that plenum off. Cannot remember what though.

[@on1ytheb3st]

@@RustBeltAuto Yeah I'm just afraid of running into that same issue you had with the injectors falling apart in their ports. Were the injector tips and o-rings able to fall down onto the valves if you're not careful?

[@jonguirl3942]

You said you did head gaskets on one of these motors - I have a 2001 Pathfinder that needs it done. Can I do it without pulling the engine? Some places say you have to in order to get the coolant cross pipe out. What a pain.

[@RustBeltAuto]

The pathfinder I did it on was a newer model.

[@armandorosales58]

Cannot find for the life of me the oil cooler location on my 2002 VQ35DE QX4. It dies NOT appear to be behind the oil filter as other yrs same engine?? Help with the location?? Thanks for consideration. Leak seems to be under alternator not filter.

[@RustBeltAuto]

Follow the oil cooler lines

[@armandorosales58]

@@RustBeltAuto yeah just wondering if I was correct. Seemed odd. I believe with this model I'm gonna need to move alternator as well.

[@samuraylast480]

i like the way you talk hahahahahah videos it a good help for me thk mannnn

[@Jupiter503]

Did the temperature gauge show that it was overheating because mine's not but the motor is getting extremely hot

[@RustBeltAuto]

Don't remember.

[@cbridges1202]

When did rat poop become ghetto? Have you ever seen the European countryside overrun with field mice in their homes. That would be considered ghetto too

[@juancuevas7706]

I just had both those thermostats replaced n radiator done not so long ago , so I was driving her for a while thee other day, came home, ten minutes later, i turn on the car again n the temperature gage went up about two minutes into the drive, so I brought it back home, threw water on top of the radiator n I let it sit, what could be cuaseing that?? What am I doing wrong???

[@RustBeltAuto]

Could be a few things. No fan, loosing coolant, stuck thermostat, air in system. This car was fun to get the air out of, because the pipe in the back of the engine for burping the system was plugged with rust.

[@maxodorestant9053]

Great video

[@spelunkerd]

Is the second thermostat for fluid movement to the heater core?

[@RustBeltAuto]

It effects the heating, and cooling of the engine, so I'm going to say no.

[@nhonhuynh3345]

After installing I saw the PDF for the installing.... Like u I installed blind supposedly it needs to be aligned facing the front, but opps jus dropped in. Hopefully everything is ok

[@Jordan-sv3pu]

What do you mean facing forward there’s only one way you can drop that thermostat in in the back spring side goes down that’s it the placement of it doesn’t matter

[@juancuevas7706]

Wow thanks for those other facts, yo... I'm gonna have to check those things out...

[@nickmelone958]

when burping this engine did you find a bleeder valve? or just funnel the radiator thanks

[@RustBeltAuto]

There is a metal tube on the rear of the engine with a rubber cap on it. That is for bleeding. Sorry, I left that out

[@nickmelone958]

@@RustBeltAuto thanks

[@jeddfinn6800]

Great video thanks for that... I have a question... can u put the injectors in without the plastic clips on the manifold end they disintegrated when I pulled the injectors out and u have to buy the whole injector just to get the clips not sold separately...

[@RustBeltAuto]

They are used to keep the o-ring in place. Once in a while I have left them out, just so long as the hole is recessed so the o-ring doesn't fall in the engine. You can also get a set of injectors on ebay dirt cheap. You can either use those, or if the plastic pieces are the same, take thom off the cheap new ones, and put them on yours. You might also be able to buy them from a place that rebuilds injectors.

[@Jordan-sv3pu]

Did you have to remove the fuel tail to get to the thermostat I’m hoping there’s a way around that I’m doing mine right now as we speak

[@RustBeltAuto]

@@Jordan-sv3pu the video shows how I snuck it out. Book says different.

[@lashadavlianidze2123]

Should I change the radiator?

[@miloesalazar]

Thank you for this video, I followed everything on here just to change the back thermostat, since there was no video on youtube about how to get to that thermostat. Now I have a question, what is that back hose you got off that you said was in a bad spot? Mine was so old that it snapped and broke off. Don't know the name of it and would like to know so I can go buy another one. Thank you once again.

[@RustBeltAuto]

I think you broke a coolant hose. If that sucker breaks (if it's the one I'm thinking of), you will need to take a lot more junk off of that thing to get at it.

[@Anthony.W.]

Thanks! A both thermostats are the same?

[@RustBeltAuto]

The parts store will tell you.

[@ilovechessypoofs123]

No it’s not … The rear has a bigger spring

[@k-1m-230]

Was there coolant leakage from the rear of the engine ???

[@RustBeltAuto]

no

[@adilnabbie2612]

If its leaking from the rear it's the cross over valve

[@andrewk778]

Unbelievable! I am really glad I drive an older GM. Thank you for sharing.

[@olivi3339]

Where did that piece of rubber come from in the thermostat?

[@RustBeltAuto]

Some cheesy ghetto master put an engine in it.

[@jeddfinn6800]

looked like a big piece if silicone to me... someone just used WAY to much...

[@nils4137]

Anybody have a part number for the water control valve? Is it called by a different name? Can't find anything on parts websites about that rear water valve sensor thingy.

[@stephenmerkel7078]

Nissan Part No. 21230-6N200

[@infinid4565]

Just went through the same fix. I decided to gut the rear “water valve” and left the housing with the rubber gasket.

[@jonguirl3942]

How did that work out for you? My Pathfinder keeps boiling over and I have been through everything - not getting exhaust in the coolant and I am now very good at getting the air out LOL. Thinking about taking that sucker out too but what a PITA when its this hot out.

[@infinid4565]

@@jonguirl3942 haven’t had a problem ever since.just make sure if you gut it you change the primary thermo at the front of the engine with a good quality oem one. There really is no need for it other than quicker warm ups in cold climate. Also, you might want to do the job as soon as you can; the vq’s don’t do good when getting too hot. I did it without removing the lower intake , just the top 2. 1: You will have to remove the upper and middle intake 2: unbolt both fuel pressure regulators and unbolt the fuel rail but you don’t have to complete remove it. Just unbolt enough so that it able to be pulled a bit towards the the front of the engine. 3: There is a black tube running across the firewall, which is the burping valve for the cooling system, remove those bolts, pull it forward or any way you need and you should be able to get to the two iirc 12mm bolts on the water valve housing. I plan on doing a video on my channel talking about radiator upgrades for the r50 models since we don’t really have a aftermarket.

[@DavidHernandez-ue4fz]

@@infinid4565 any link about how you did it,I just replace front thermostat still getting hot,let me mentioned before(I replaced radiator cuz the in the where conected the top hose it was broken and goes inside the antefreeze around 1inch piece of plastic,so I asume that piece of plastic get stuck the thermostats cuz the front one it was open so temperature it was really low,anyway when I replaced the front thermostat I seen I lot of small black pieces of plastic and the temperature goes HOT,so I think the back thermostat could be the same as front or water pump) I don't know what to do.

[@olivi3339]

This look like a repair, I never want to do....

[@olivi3339]

500.00 dollar thermostat repair.

[@djscottymaxx]

Dumb question, maybe not, do all these VQ35DE Engines have a second thermostat? Cause I be damned if I see that housing in the back of my 04' 350Z's engine. Not calling you a liar or anything im just not seeing it. No I did not take anything apart yet. I also have an 01' pathfinder, its loved when its running, when its down, I'd like to ghost ride it into a quarry😖

[@RustBeltAuto]

It would be best for you to do a parts look up, and see if there are 2.

[@AlanForde-CheyneMS]

So I guess what you're trying to say is you hate working on this car? By the way I have the same car but it is infinitely in better shape than this one....its an amazing drive

[@RustBeltAuto]

hate is such a strong word. Thinking more like vexed.

[@bernainmolina7481]

I own a 2001 Infiniti qx4 and I've took care of mine better than this

[@mediaguy4037]

Looks like the previous "mechanic" that worked on it didnt bother putting some of the bolts back. I hate that.

[@RustBeltAuto]

Bolts back, broken stuff, loose stuff, things that should have been replaced with the original engine. There was 6 codes when it showed up. Nissan's are no joke. They are very complex. I am one of the few who have done head gaskets on these, completely, and effectively, while the dealer will tell you they don't touch them, and just replace the engine. It is over 30 hours labor, and parts will be everywhere. I don't particularly like them for reasons like this, however, when they work, they are quite reliable, long lived, and work very well.

[@BarnStangz]

I have to say, that working on my '97 Maxima isn't too bad. I'll need to do valve cover gaskets at some point, but everything else has been pretty easy to work on and the engine seems bullet proof.

[@BarnStangz]

@Sam S Maxima has been good so far. It was my Grandpa's from Florida, so the mileage was pretty low when I got it. It only has like 88K on it now. I've done a Alternator, starter and half shafts and a drivers side wheel bearing. I will do spark plugs and valve cover gaskets at some point. I finally replaced the hood struts and I just change the oil every 3,500 miles or so. OH and it needed a MAF sensor. I've done brakes on it once. It's a good car, plenty of power and still returns decent fuel economy. I'll probably give it to my kid for their first car. I don't know if I would buy another one as the new Nissan cars have that shitty CVT...

[@saulluciano2263]

Great video

[@katielyb]

Looks like I've got my work cut out for me. Man, this really sucks. Stupid "luxury" models. They just keep making them harder and harder to work on don't they? This is what these young kids don't understand about "advancements in technology". It might make certain aspects of life easier but there's always a downside which is that more can and will go wrong. A**hole car manufacturers. Miss those days when we'd break down and dad could get us rolling again with the just the tools he had in the truck.

[@lashadavlianidze2123]

@ nissan patfinder 3.5

[@Truthhurtz618]

What was the point of not showing how you got it out that way..smh

[@RustBeltAuto]

Couldn't see what I was doing.

[@Truthhurtz618]

@@RustBeltAuto i believe you said couldn't see how i did that well too bad

[@b-radumuck7903]

Thats just too bad ... it runs... lol ok bye...

[@SupraKing12365]

haha i see it idles high at the end..

[@RustBeltAuto]

Cold idle?

[@lashadavlianidze2123]

help me

[@johndavis7481]

He don't seem very happy

[@RustBeltAuto]

😁

[@EastLakeWatch]

Very stupid design by Nissan! Why the heck they build it like that!!!

[@RustBeltAuto]

@@EastLakeWatch probaby to equalize engine temperatures. Front, rear, heater hoses, all play a role.

[@b-radumuck7903]

Lmao.. thats just too bad ....lol

[@unsanctionedchaos2994]

Judging by the way you talk in your videos I can completely understand why you only have 12K subs and you've been putting out videos for years. You'd be a lot better at making a monetary income from KZbin if you were more pleasant to listen to instead of "ghetto this" "ghetto that". Its annoying. I think you seem like a knowledgeable mechanic but definitely not a "people person"

[@RustBeltAuto]

That's an amazing story. Thanks for sharing.

[@ethanorr7290]

I think he's doing a good job and it's funny.

[@b-radumuck7903]

Lol ive never met a Good Mechanic who was a people person well maybe one or two but few and far between .. i don't have to like a good mechanic i have to find one ..

[@abito2063]

Lo busqué en español y todo esta en ingles😢