Murphy5156

Guys,

Thanks for all those that helped me with my leaking oil cooler problem. Thanks to you I feel confident I can replace that part myself. Now I have another one for The Org. My radiator has a crack at the top and needs to be replaced (2002 SE). It's obviously leaking a bit of antifreeze. The dealership gave me two prices to replace it. $545 if I go with an after-market one, or over $700 if I use the Nissan OEM version. Again the question becomes has anyone on this board replaced their own radiator? How tough a job was it? The engine bay on these cars is crammed so full of engine that I often think to replace anything you first need to pull half the engine out to get to it. Was just wondering if it's worth the effort to replace it myself and save some $$. As always, thanks!

vq356sp

iTrader: (13)

$545 for non OEM

Here try not to laugh at them too much
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NISSA...52291359QQrdZ1

As for the install im sure you can do it yourself and save a couple of bills

Murphy5156

Now THAT'S more like it! Thanks VERY much for that link!

Mizike

iTrader: (7)

It shouldnt be too difficult. I help my roommate change a radiator on his TL. It was a bit messy, but for how much he saved, it was well worth it. You should definately be able to get it done yourself for >$200! Good luck

Utsutsu

iTrader: (6)

You can find the Koyo Raidator in the GD section.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=487288

maximaownsyou

definately easy to replace i replaced mine on my 02 gle... was done in like an hour and a half including clean up time. im in jacksonville its a little drive for you and not sure how bad it is but ill help if u need it since i have done it before. i just took off the thermostat and completely hosed out the block before installing the new radiator with 100% fresh toyota red. works perfect, these plastic cores dont last too long i know...

Murphy5156

Thanks for all the help, guys. I ordered one of the Koyo replacements linked to above, and I installed it on Saturday. $130 (plus another $21.65 for a gallon of Nissan Green coolant from the dealer) and the job was done in only a couple of hours (including flushing the system). The Koyo replacement was great. You'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between that one and the one that came with the car originally. Definitely a pretty easy job, especially when you consider the Dealer wanted almost $600 to do the exact same thing I did for $150. The only pain was removing the "under cover". Nissan uses those pain-in-the-neck plastic grommets that only want to work one time. By the time you yank them out you end up busting at least a couple of them. I may try to find some brand new ones at the dealer or something and replace them all and have a few spares left over for future jobs. Thanks again for all your help!

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

i replaced the radiator on my 00 back in 03 and i found one online for around $150. Install was easy.
1. drain coolant
2. disconnect two hoses (+ two small tranny cooler hoses if you are auto)
3. remove 2 bolts on top
4. remove radiator

Love_00_Max

I replaced my radiator a few months back and the one I bought was made in Taiwan (feels better to see it done in Taiwan, rather than mainland China) for $150. The aftermarket ones are also larger capacity meaning the increase in capacity comes from the depth of the radiator, the length and breadth being the same. The one I bought held close to 4.8Q compared to the OEM that was 4Q.... Bigger the better.

As soonerfan said, it is pretty simple, nothing more to add, but if you are going to replace the radiator why not replace the hoses and get done with, and do a complete flush with "OEM" $20 Nissan coolant.

Don't have to think of the cooling system for an long time!!!