I haven't seen anything about this, so I thought I would post a DIY for those who aren't 'regulars' at removing their cooling system. If you regularly mess with stuff in this area, things will be easier;if your Max is 13 years old like mine and stuff has not been done to the cooling system before, you will find it more difficult as plastic pieces will break and bolts will be rusty!
ALso, if you have the stock air intake system, changing out the radiator is a lot more work than if you are running with a CAI or WAI, at least it is if you have removed the original intake plumbing.
Disclaimer; If you have no clue, let a professional do it. It's a couple hour job, not difficult, just requires patience. But if you forget to re-connect a tranny hose or radiator hose, it could be very costly! YMMV, usual disclaimers apply, I won't be responsible if YOU screw up!
This Maxima is a 1996 GXE with 170,000 miles on it.
What you
will need
1) A new replacement for your radiator. I got mine from an Ebay store for $85 delivered from Georgia to calif.
2) Phillips screwdriver, Flattip screwdriver, ratchet with 6" extension and a #10 socket, pliers or channel-locks.
3) Replacement coolant; many recommend Toyota Red, Toyota dealers charge $28 for a gallon of it. I used the premium Prestone. You will also need a gallon of distilled water.
4) Ramps or jackstands to elevate the front end of the car so you can comfortably get under it. Be safe and chock the rear wheels!
5) Container/pan to drain coolant into. I did not reuse my coolant, so was not concerned about cleanliness of the container.
What I
recommend you also have
1) New upper and lower radiator hoses (yours are OLD and may tear when you take them off, its just a good time to get new ones. I got the OBX Ebay blue silicone ones.
2) Maybe a new thermostat (about $17 at autozone). I had one handy but did not install it. Figured the old one has lasted this long, why mess with it; new one only has a 90 day guarantee. One extra thing to have to check for leaks...
3) Some Nissan pieces: the two clips that hold the air intake the the front support. These may not break (mine did not) and you may be able to reuse them, but don't count on it. A couple of new hose clamps for the lower tranny coolant line. The old ons will be "iffy" and my break.
4) Might as well put a new air filter in why you have that stuff off...
5) have a power drill/screwdriver handy for when you remove the bottom covers; lots of bolts to take off.
6) Something to plug the lower transmission cooling lines while you have them removed from the radiator so they don't leak. Maybe a couple of small bolts would work? I had an assistant just hold them up for a few minutes until I could re-connect them.
Ok, ready to get started? I'm gonna post all 4 photos here and you can refer back to them. I took the photos afterwards as an afterthought, so some stuff you won't be able to see in the images.
1) First, put the car up on the ramp or jackstands. Remove all the bolts that hold on the right and left lower covers so that you can take them off and see what you are doing. They will come off with a phillips screwdriver, but if you have a power drill it will make things a lot easier. For the really stubborn ones, get them started with your ratchet and #10 socket.
2) Use your phillips to remove the lower radiator drain plug and drain the coolant into your container. Remove the radiator cap up on top and it will come out quickly!
Why you are waiting for the coolant to drain, start removing the stock air intake system. There is probably an easier way to do this, but I couldn't see it so did it like this; First, take out the 2 stupid screw-clips that hold the air horn onto the upper support (#1) You may have to pry under the screw to put upward tension on it while unscrewing with a phillips. When they are most of the way out, you can pull them out with a pair of pliers.
Remove the 10mm bolt on the air horn that holds the bracket with a bunch of electrical wires connected to it. Push aside the electrical stuff, and put the bolt back in place and tighten it a few turns so you don't lose it.
Loosen the hoseclamp (#2) at the throttle body, then unclip all 4 clips that hold the air filter cover(#3) on. Disconnect the two smaller hoses that connect near the throttle body and the front valve cover. Sorry, I didn't number those. Pull the entire assembly toward you (you should be standing at the driver's side fender) and just turn it and lay it on your right, all wires intact, nothing else
to disconnect. Be careful with the wiring and the MAF, it's a $250 part!
Remove the air filter and then remove the three bolts that hold it to the fender. You will now be able to pull it toward you and the rest of the plumbing will be easy to remove from the car. You may have to use a screwdriver to put pressure at point #10 to get that piece away from the airbox under the battery tray.
Set all those plastic intake pieces aside except for the stuff you have laying up on top by the brake booster.
Remove the overflow hose in two places, at the overflow tank and at the radiator cap (#4 and #5)
Loosen the hoseclamp where the lower radiator hose connects to the block
You can leave the hose connected to the radiator at the bottom.
Loosen both hose clamps for the upper radiator hose and remove the hose ($9)
Carefully (needle-nose pliers work best) pull out the two wire holders that hold the fan wiring loom to the plastic shroud. If you follow the wires (#12) you will see them both. Now disconnect the two electrical clips that hold the wiring loom to the fan wires. You have to squeeze them DOWN (toward the connector itself) and wiggle them apart. Just be patient, squeeze and pull aprt at the same time.
Remove both the bolts that hold the fan shroud to the radiator with a phillips screwdriver or #10 socket. DON'T take the shroud out yet because the tranny fluid line is connected to it at the bottom.
Slide under the car (coolant should be all drained out) and after swearing at it a few time remove the tranny line from the lower shroud clip; it will be obvious! I broke the bottom of the clip off, no biggie, hose will be shorter in a few minutes anyway.
With the tranny line unclipped, it should be easy to just lift the fans and shroud up and away from the car and set them aside.
You are getting close!!
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