Nissan Repair: Coolant types, crank pulley, heater cores

Question
Is it acceptable to replace the nissan long life coolant with G-05 spec coolant when doing a full flush (with one of those machines that use compressed air and completely drain the old coolant)

The vehicle is a 2005 Altima w/ 3.5L

Answer
Adam,

I would not recommend one of those pressure flush systems since the heater core is so thin.  I ahve experienced too many heater cores leak a few months after the flush.  The best way is just to drain and flush the system several times with a hose and not to connect any pressure device to the system.  If you are anal, like me, you could unscrew the two drain plugs on each side of the block and drain it to make sure you get all the old coolant out.  Any coolant like the polypropolyene (five year) or the regular ethelyne glycol (Prestone) or the like is fine.  I change my coolant every two years and do the flush thing so it is your choice.  Galvonics is a big problem since there are dis-similar metals and what the coolant does is end up as a plating agent.  That is why the two year changeout to save the internals of the block, heads and radiator.  If you go to nissantechinfo.com you could pay the $20 bucks and download, in PDF, the maintenance manual.  $20 bucks gets you one hour of access so download what you need first.  This will show you where the two draini plugs are on the block.  Since the engine sits sideways, the drains are at the front and back of the oil pan.  If you feel the oil pan and then up a bit you will feel them.  They are midway down the block, if you were looking from the crank pulley.