🔧 Murano - Thermostat Replacement

Your Murano’s thermostat controls coolant flow to keep engine temperature stable. Replacing it usually means draining some coolant, removing the thermostat housing, installing a new thermostat + seal, then refilling and bleeding air from the cooling system.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never open the radiator cap when hot; coolant can spray and burn you.
• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands if you raise it; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Coolant is toxic to people and pets; drain into a sealed pan and dispose properly.
• ⚠️ Keep hands/tools clear of the radiator fans; they can turn on unexpectedly.
• Battery disconnect is not required, but keep the key away from the vehicle while working.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Drain pan (at least 2-gallon)
• Shop rags
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive extension set
• 10mm socket
• Flathead screwdriver
• Hose clamp pliers
• Plastic trim tool
• Inch-pound torque wrench
• Funnel
• Spill-free coolant funnel kit (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine thermostat - Qty: 1
• Thermostat seal / O-ring - Qty: 1
• Engine coolant (Nissan Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant, blue, pre-mix 50/50) - Qty: 1-2 gallons

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and install wheel chocks.
• Let the engine cool completely (ideally 2+ hours).
• Set the cabin HVAC to HOT before you start the bleeding process later (this helps coolant flow through the heater core).
• If you raise the front, lift with a floor jack and support with jack stands at proper lift points.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Relieve residual pressure safely

• Verify the engine is cool to the touch.
• Place a shop rag over the radiator cap.
• Slowly loosen the cap to the first stop to release any leftover pressure, then remove it fully.

Step 2: Drain coolant to below thermostat level

• Position a drain pan under the radiator drain area.
• Open the radiator drain cock using a flathead screwdriver if needed (some are hand-turn).
• Drain until the radiator level is clearly down (you don’t always need to drain it completely).
• Close the drain cock once done (snug only; do not overtighten).

Step 3: Remove the engine cover and intake ducting (as needed for access)

• Remove the plastic engine cover by pulling upward carefully; use a plastic trim tool if it’s stuck.
• Loosen intake duct clamps using a flathead screwdriver.
• Remove any 10mm bolts holding the duct/brackets using a 10mm socket and 3/8" ratchet.
• Move the ducting aside to open up access to the thermostat housing area.

Step 4: Remove the thermostat housing

• Place shop rags under the housing area to catch spills.
• Release the radiator hose clamp at the housing using hose clamp pliers, then slide the clamp back on the hose.
• Carefully twist and pull the hose off the housing (use a plastic trim tool to gently break the seal if needed; don’t gouge the sealing surface).
• Remove the thermostat housing bolts using a 10mm socket, 3/8" ratchet, and extension.
• Separate the housing and let remaining coolant drain into the drain pan.

Step 5: Replace the thermostat and seal

• Note the thermostat’s orientation before removal (take a quick photo).
• Remove the old thermostat and old seal/O-ring by hand.
• Clean the mating surfaces using a shop rag (no heavy scraping).
• Install the new thermostat in the same orientation.
• Install the new seal/O-ring fully seated and not twisted. Pinched seals cause leaks.

Step 6: Reinstall housing and hose

• Reinstall the thermostat housing and start the bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten housing bolts evenly using a 10mm socket.
• Final tighten using an inch-pound torque wrench: Torque to 9.8 Nm (87 in-lbs).
• Reinstall the hose and position the clamp back in its original spot using hose clamp pliers.

Step 7: Reinstall intake ducting and cover

• Reinstall any intake duct bolts using a 10mm socket and 3/8" ratchet.
• Tighten intake clamps using a flathead screwdriver (snug; don’t strip them).
• Reinstall the engine cover by pressing it down until seated.

Step 8: Refill and bleed air from the cooling system

• Fill the radiator slowly with Nissan blue pre-mix coolant using a funnel.
• Install a spill-free coolant funnel kit (specialty) on the radiator neck; this is a funnel that seals to the radiator so you can run the engine without spilling while air burps out.
• Fill the funnel to the “full” level so the radiator stays topped off.
• Start the engine and let it idle. Set HVAC to HOT and fan on low.
• As the engine warms, watch for air bubbles in the funnel. Add coolant as the level drops.
• When the thermostat opens, you should feel the upper radiator hose get hot and you’ll usually see a bigger level drop in the funnel.
• Continue until bubbles stop and the heater blows consistently hot.
• Shut the engine off, let it cool, then remove the funnel and install the radiator cap.
• Fill the coolant reservoir to the “MAX” line using a funnel.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and check the thermostat housing and hose connection for leaks with a flashlight (use safety glasses).
• Road test 10–15 minutes, watching the temperature gauge for normal operation.
• After a full cool-down, recheck reservoir level and top off as needed.
• If you get gurgling sounds/no heat/temperature swings, it likely still has air—repeat the bleed step.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $210-$590 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-3.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.