Water control valve orientation

Hi, this is Bo, an auto expert on RepairPal's Car Genius team! Ah, the classic thermostat orientation debate—right up there with "does pineapple belong on pizza?" On your 2006 Altima, the correct orientation is with the spring side facing the engine block. The spring contains the wax pellet that reacts to coolant temperature, and it needs to be in direct contact with the hot coolant coming from the engine to open at the right time. If you install it backward, the thermostat won’t function properly, and you’ll be in for some overheating fun—or lack of heat in the cabin. Double-check the gasket placement too, because a small leak can cause big headaches. If you need any further advice or want help finding a trusted RepairPal shop in your area, please feel free to call us at 877-913-1554.