Kuhn_man

iTrader: (8)

ok so ive had to replace my radiator and saw that there was no how to for it, so i decided to make one for everyone who doesnt already know how to do it. the whole repair should only take a half hour or so depending on how hard you want to work lol

what tools you'll need are a 10mm socket, pair of pliers, and a bucket to drain your used coolant in.

step 1. drain the coolant from your radiator and remove the two bolts on the upper support that hold the radiator in place



step 2. disconnect the two connectors that run to your radiator fans



step 3. remove the two screws on either side securing the radiator fans to the radiator



step 4. pull out the radiator fans being carefull not to damage the side plastice pieces of the case (yess i know the driver side one on mine is broken from the last time i took it out)... you'll probly have to wiggle and shove things out of the way to get it out but no biggie



step 5. disconnect the lower radiator hose if you havent done so already as well as the overflow tube as well. then just pull the radiator out.

Installation

step 1. place radiator in car keeping note of the rubber bushings holding it in place at the bottom (they still might be on your old radiator, just take them off and reuse them)

Note; the right one in the pic is with no bushing and the left one in the pic is with the bushing in place


step 2. reconnect the lower radiator hose


step 3. reinstall radiator fans keeping note of the side plastic pieces and make sure that they are lined up with the holes that support it one both ends of the radiator



step 4. reconnect the fan connections and screw the fans into place



step 5. reinstall the upper radiator brackets and fill with 50/50 mix of the green coolant.




run your car to cycle the coolant threw the engine and make sure you have your heat on full blast to get the air bubbles out of the system...and presto!!!your finished

T_Behr904

There is a how-to thread in the 5th gen section, since it's pretty much the exact same procedure.

Kuhn_man

iTrader: (8)

i didnt know, i figured with the body style diffenence it would have changed, but ok

T_Behr904

Yup, the front core support and radiator are basically the same. The VQ30 engine carried over into the 5th gen, but had a different UIM for an increase in power. It was eventually replaced in 02 with the VQ35.

Kuhn_man

iTrader: (8)

yeah i knew the engine got carried over, but i wouldnt have looked in the core replacement for replaceing the radiator, didnt think it needed to be removed to replace the core support

Kuhn_man

iTrader: (8)

and besides i put some effort into it so maby id get lucky and he'll put it in anyways, who knows

Fauken

iTrader: (6)

Good job man, don't worry if there wasn't here for us there is now right.

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

There are vids on YouTube but a written write up with pics is always good.

Good job.

bobflood

Good writeup. A couple of additional comments:
- I found it just as easy to take the radiator out and put it back in with the fans in place, so I dismounted/mounted them on the radiator outside the vehicle.
- if the main hoses are the same age as the radiator, replace them also.
- This is also a good opportunity to replace the thermostat, since the coolant is drained and the hoses are off. Helps to upbolt and move the horn out of the way when working on the thermostat.
All in all, a pretty easy DIY job in the Maxima world.

RowlTyde205

Yeah, there is a link to this in the How-to thread, but I appreciate it being posted as its own thread so it's easier for me to look up, haha. My radiator is in transit right now so...

AllMaxxedOut

iTrader: (15)

By far one of the easiest installs I've ever done.

Good write-up though. Would've added a few things but easily doable with this one.

comingup

Don't forget to wirewheel and paint the two metal pieces with the grommets that hold the top of your radiator. While your at it, do the same to that switch plate on the right side. Think it deactivates the airbag sensors but I am only speculating...

Kuhn_man

iTrader: (8)

well i realize that i could have done it a bit easier/better, but being my first "how to" thread im happy with it, now in a month or two ill have a "rebuilding the vq30de" how to thread with torque specs and everything and maby ill throw in a how to remove and install the vq30de as well after that well see how it goes

Kuhn_man

iTrader: (8)

yeah cleaning them up and painting them would help quite a bit with the rust, but im replacing the core support so i wasnt to worried about it cause it'll be taken care of then

Kuhn_man

iTrader: (8)

which one...i still dont see it i sent him a pm to add so maby its just me

harleyriderdrivesmaxima

ha.ha i agree they are really mustangpisseroffers i know.

Kuhn_man

iTrader: (8)

come again?

Phromethius

I think they are just building posts. cuz this makes no sense in this thread.

svezarov

Kuhn_man,

is your car auto or manual? I remember when I changed the radiator on my Honda Accord, the lower section of the rad was used to cool off the transmission fluid, which involved removing another 2 hoses and adding up atf afterwords. So I am wondering if it is not the same case here in the auto trans.

cashoit

AT adds a few extra steps for removin tranny cooler lines

Kuhn_man

iTrader: (8)

my car is manual, if you look at one of the pics i believe it shows the cooler lines/connectors for the auto trans if i had one, autozone only makes it for the auto...but its universal, if i dont need them than dont use them lol, but yes your right if i had an auto than i would have to disconnect the trans cooler lines at the bottem of the radiator and add atf fluid when i was done

RowlTyde205

Actually, I think I just youtubed it a while back. Regardless, I'm an extreme novice when it comes to mechanical work, and I replaced my radiator with this write-up in 45 minutes. So thanks, haha.

Kuhn_man

iTrader: (8)

glad it helped bud, i figured it would come in handy to someone .

Hewta

Thank you for this write up bro. I've been skimming for HOURS and this thread answered my question if the AT and MT radiator are universal. Now im ready to order in confidence. +rep