The majority of modern vehicles rely on a liquid known as coolant or antifreeze to remain at optimal temperature. Coolant circulates heat away from the engine and pushes it out of the vehicle. The Engine Coolant Thermostat regulates coolant flow between the engine, where heat is produced, and the radiator, where heat evaporates.
Your Engine Coolant Thermostat is a petite but powerful gauge that opens and shuts according to changes in engine temperature. When you crank your Nissan to life, the Engine Coolant Thermostat remains shut, containing coolant flow until the engine heats up to optimal operating temps. Once your engine is sufficiently warm, the Engine Coolant Thermostat “unlocks,” allowing antifreeze to circulate, helping prevent engine overheating.
By supporting your vehicle's optimal temperature the thermostat helps prevent engine wear and minimize harmful emissions. Unlike engine oil and brake pads, Engine Coolant Thermostats typically don't require regular replacements. Instead, these thermostats only need to be changed if they quit performing as they should.
A few telltale signs that your Nissan's Engine Coolant Thermostat is not working the way it should include: overheating, the engine not coming to temperature, a malfunctioning cabin air heater, or even a check engine light, in specific Nissan models and years. Also, in some cases, an old Engine Coolant Thermostat may cause drastic changes in engine coolant levels or faster-than-usual coolant or antifreeze deterioration.
Since the signs of a faulty Engine Coolant Thermostat parallel signs of other cooling system problems, we suggest getting an inspection at an authorized service center. However, if you're sure that the Engine Coolant Thermostat is the source of the problem, replacing it with a high-quality Nissan Engine Coolant Thermostat may help get your engine back to its optimal operating temperature.
Typically, installing a new Engine Coolant Thermostat is a task best left to a certified expert. However, if you're a very proficient at-home mechanic, you may be able to do it yourself. Prior to starting, make sure you have the right components and tools handy: a new Engine Coolant Thermostat, a gasket or sealing compound, a wire brush, bucket, protective gloves, and a socket wrench.
Whether you decide to replace your Engine Coolant Thermostat at home or visit a local Nissan expert for a professional service, check the owner's manual as the source of truth for all things related to your vehicle. Additionally, ensure proper fit and excellent performance by getting an authentic Engine Coolant Thermostat and other components made by Nissan for your Nissan model and year.
This Engine Coolant Thermostat 21200EA000 is engineered for Nissan Altima 2002-2018, Nissan Frontier 2005-2019, Nissan Murano 2016-2018, Nissan Pathfinder 2014-2018, Nissan Rogue 2008-2020, or Nissan Sentra 2002-2012. See the What This Fits tab for more details.
THERMOSTAT ASSY
Fits Altima, Frontier, Murano, Pathfinder, Rogue, Sentra, Xterra