Parts for your 2013 Nissan Pulsar-Thermostat housing

2013 Nissan Pulsar thermostat housing — what it does and when to replace it

Based on Nissan’s factory service manuals for the B17/C12 Pulsar (Cooling System — Water Outlet and Thermostat) and Nissan’s electronic parts catalog listings for the MRA8DE and MR16DDT engines, the 2013 Nissan Pulsar is fitted with a thermostat and a dedicated thermostat housing (often called the water outlet). Those technical sources detail the housing’s role in directing coolant flow, housing the thermostat/water control valve, and providing sensor ports and hose connections.

On the 2013 Pulsar, the thermostat housing sits on the engine and acts as the gateway for coolant out of the block to the radiator. It holds the thermostat, which opens and closes to keep the engine at the right operating temperature. That helps fuel economy, heater performance, emissions, and engine longevity. The housing also provides a sealed, rigid connection for coolant hoses and, on some variants, a mounting point for temperature sensors.

Signs the housing or thermostat needs attention include:

• Overheating or painfully slow warm-up under the bonnet
• Coolant weeping around the housing flange or a sweet smell after a drive
• Low coolant level with no obvious external leak elsewhere
• Erratic temperature gauge or poor cabin heater output
• Visible cracking in a plastic housing or perished gasket

There’s no fixed kilometre-based replacement interval for the housing itself, but it’s smart to inspect it whenever coolant is serviced and to renew the thermostat and gasket/O-ring together if age, heat cycles, or leaks are evident. Sticking with a quality OE-spec thermostat and fresh gasket is worth it. Use the correct Nissan Long Life Coolant (blue) and follow the factory bleeding procedure to avoid air locks.

Handy replacement pointers for a 2013 Pulsar:

1. Let the engine cool completely and drain enough coolant to drop below the housing level.
2. Remove intake ducting or brackets for access, then unbolt the housing.
3. Lift out the old thermostat, clean the mating surfaces, and fit the new thermostat in the correct orientation.
4. Install a new gasket/O-ring, refit the housing, and tighten bolts evenly to the Nissan spec.
5. Refill with the specified coolant, bleed air (heater on HOT), and check for leaks after a full heat cycle.

Look after the housing and thermostat, and the Pulsar’s cooling system will stay happy through Aussie summers and Kiwi winters alike.

Popular questions

Where is the thermostat housing on a 2013 Nissan Pulsar?
On most B17/C12 Pulsars it’s mounted on the engine near the radiator-side of the bay, where the upper radiator hose connects. It’s the alloy or plastic outlet that the hose clamps to, secured to the engine with a small set of bolts.

Should the housing be replaced with the thermostat?
If the housing is cracked, warped, or heavily corroded, replace it with the thermostat. If the housing is sound, a new thermostat and gasket/O-ring usually suffices. Always inspect the sealing face and hose spigot for wear.

What coolant should be used after replacing the housing?
Use Nissan Long Life Coolant (blue) or an OE-equivalent premix that meets Nissan requirements. Mixing types isn’t recommended, if unsure what’s in there, a full drain and refill is the safest bet.