dansmax2003

iTrader: (7)

Hi All! This is a really bad surprise for me. Car is 2003 Maxima with 122k miles on it.
It has the original radiator and only 3 months old radiator hoses and fresh coolant.

This morning i opened the hood to check my oil and i noticed that the front area of the engine bay, around the radiator and the window washed fluid reservoir, had greenish drops of coolant on them. I wiped it all clean and drove to work (12 miles trip). Btw, coolant level was fine.

I got to the office parking lot, opened the hood and i see a lot more fresh coolant all over the place around the radiator area and all over front of the engine bay - i see random coolant drops from the battery to the window washer reservoir. It looks like coolant was "sprayed" everywhere. It smells like coolant too. Coolant level still looks fine.

I see a lot of wetness on the top edges of the radiator. I revved the engine while on the parking lot but i did not see any obvious leaks or more spraying.

Where do i start? Hoses are new and look well attached. Could this be a radiator? Could it be leaking only from the top? Best fix?
Anyone had similar experience!

How hard is to replace the radiator on my own? I've done it in the past on Audi and it took 4 hours.


Thank you for any help!!

phatboislim

iTrader: (27)

if urs is like mine was...the neck on the top broke off inside the hose and u need to replace teh radiator.

with my radiator (being that my 5th gen is manual) it took 15mins start to finish

BigFonsz

Same thing happen to me. I see a new radiator coming your way soon.

phatboislim

iTrader: (27)

i also had a crack on the passenger side of hte radiator..

dansmax2003

iTrader: (7)

Were your radiators spraying coolant everywhere?

phatboislim

iTrader: (27)

i replaced it before it got real bad...if ur that paranoid replace the hoses too, but just replace the radiator...or clean the engine, then drive it and see where the fluid is coming from

BigFonsz

You can do a pressure test on the radiator. that will also tell you alot about what's going on.

fflint_18

Pressure test will tell. It's probably cracked somewhere on top or is leaking at the plastic to metal interface. The reason it's sprayed all over is if it leaked down the back of the rad and then the fan turns on and moves it around for you.

I'm new to the Max, but taking a look at mine (which is also a manual) they look like one of the easiest to change I've seen in a long time. With the manual it probably takes longer to fill and get all the air out than it does to replace. With an auto you just have to worry the tranny fluid lines.

You can probably pick one up local or I saw someone in the deals/sponsor area is selling them for about $130 and everyone that bought one seems pretty happy.

Just be careful when you tighten anything that has a plastic interface so you don't crack it by accident.

stocked out max

iTrader: (2)

+1 on pressure test, i had 1/2inch crack close to where the top hose connects. had coolant all over the drive side by the battery.

think of it like your finger on the end of a garden hose, the more you cover the hose up the harder the water will come out.

nismowolfe

iTrader: (11)

I had this same issue with my tsi talon took it to a shop and they looked at it replaced the radiator and said it was good. I get home and same problem so I investigated had my sister rev the engine a few times high and seen this tiny stream shoot out of one of my small quarter inch lines. I replaced that and it was good as new it never was the radiator. I swear some of these mechanics are pitifull. Soooo I would check all coolant hoses before spending the money on a new radiator.

Andrew

iTrader: (5)

When its running, don't shut off the car..pop the hood and see where the coolant is leaking from. Only way to tell besides the pressure test!

perkman87

iTrader: (6)

just replaced mine 80000 miles, same thing drops on the burger cover, and went to get it pressure tested, whole top was cracked.

Scottwax

iTrader: (8)

Usually if the coolant is being sprayed all over the engine compartment your radiator has a crack or leak somewhere and the fan are blowing it everywhere. I had to replace mine this summer and the one in my son's Accord.

dansmax2003

iTrader: (7)

Thank you for all the useful replies. I am ordering a new radiator this morning. I'll replace it this weekend.

Anyone have any instructions/how-to on radiator replacement for this car?
Any tips?


Thank you!

BigFonsz

So the radiator is bad? or your just going to replace for good'old sake?

dansmax2003

iTrader: (7)

All hoses are NEW. Less than 3 months old. Visually, they still look new.

If it's not the radiator, what else could it be?? I am open to ANY ideas.
This radiator has 122k miles on it.

Thanks!

phatboislim

iTrader: (27)

HOPE ITS NOT THE WATER PUMP, FROM WHAT I HEAR THE WATER PUMPS ON MAXIMA'S ARE VIRTUALLY BULLETPROOF..ESP AT THOSE MILES

Scottwax

iTrader: (8)

Huh? Bulletproof means they don't fail, not sure what "esp at those miles" means.

8082KMAXSE

I have a 2K Max M/T with aprx 137,000 miles on it. I replaced mine yesterday. The radiator started to leak from the upper radiator (hat) and the core. There is a seal there which may have gone bad. I bought a Koyo radiator from performance radiator here in Hawaii. Paid around $210. Anyway it was a simple fix. Raise the front of the car and put them on jackstands. I used a ramp. Remove the bottom shield under the bumper (depending which side the drain plug is). Mine was on the passenger side and drain the radiator. Undo the upper and lower hoses. Unhook the connectors to the fan, and overflow bottle. Remove the upper radiator brackets and lift the radiator out. There are two screws for the fan shroud, remove them and the whole thing comes off. Place it on the new radiator. Installation is in reverse. Make sure everything is secure. Slowly add coolant. I was able to use only 1gal of the 50/50. drive around for 10 minutes or so and check the level and that the temp gauge does not overheat, about midway is acceptable. If all is well you just replaced your radiator. Finished in less than 30 minutes. g/l.

dansmax2003

iTrader: (7)

I have Auto transmission.
I got a new radiator today and i see oil cooling lines on the bottom of it. They are for the AT fluid, i am guessing?

If i'll be messing with the AT fluid, does this mean that it may be a good time to do AT fluid flush while putting the new radiator??

Thanks!