5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

Radiator seam leaking

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-15-2015, 06:13 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
mclasser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: The Northeast
Posts: 681
Radiator seam leaking

Noticed the coolant overflow tank was close to empty in my I35 last week. Topped it off and noticed it was low again today. Peaked around and saw dried and fresh coolant residue all along the upper seam, just like in the pic below I found of another I35. Some coolant has also dripped down onto the sides of the radiator and near the cooling fans. Interestingly, the radiator isn't low on coolant and the car isn't overheating or anything. Heating works fine, too, albeit with a sweet scent of coolant. No clue how long the seam's been leaking like this.

Anyone recommendations for radiators? I hear good things about Koyo Rad. As much as I'd like to do this job myself, I just don't have the time at the moment and will probably take it to my indy, along with some Zerex Asian coolant.
Name:  IMG_3185.jpg
Views: 47
Size:  60.6 KB
mclasser is offline  
Old 03-15-2015, 07:19 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
D.Stillwell's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Snakeden Branch, VA
Posts: 1,441
Change the radiator, Koyo is a good replacement for sure.

Every radiator that goes bad on these cars (that I've seen) have all leaked somewhere from that top seam.
D.Stillwell is offline  
Old 03-16-2015, 10:36 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
DennisMik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 10,649
Have the mechanic replace the upper and lower rubber mounting grommets while he's at it. the originals are probably dry rotting by now.
DennisMik is offline  
Old 03-16-2015, 10:45 PM
  #4  
Bad *** Newb
iTrader: (7)
 
Child_uv_KoRn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,943
I've never seen bad lowers. The uppers wallow, but it's not going anywhere.
Child_uv_KoRn is offline  
Old 03-17-2015, 08:41 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Cotozic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 413
Originally Posted by D.Stillwell
Change the radiator, Koyo is a good replacement for sure.

Every radiator that goes bad on these cars (that I've seen) have all leaked somewhere from that top seam.
Just did this last month because I had the same leak - and really bad. Koyo is the way to go for sure. They shipped me the radiator very quickly.
Cotozic is offline  
Old 03-17-2015, 08:56 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
DennisMik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 10,649
Originally Posted by Child_uv_KoRn
I've never seen bad lowers. The uppers wallow, but it's not going anywhere.
I have. My 94 and 97 Maximas had lowers that were in worse shape than the uppers. My 97 had the worst ones. My 2000 didn't need any, the originals were fine.

The only sad part is that I had to replace the radiators on all 3 Maximas. And let's not talk about the Bose radios.
DennisMik is offline  
Old 03-17-2015, 08:59 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
D.Stillwell's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Snakeden Branch, VA
Posts: 1,441
Originally Posted by DennisMik

I have. My 94 and 97 Maximas had lowers that were in worse shape than the uppers. My 97 had the worst ones. My 2000 didn't need any, the originals were fine.

The only sad part is that I had to replace the radiators on all 3 Maximas. And let's not talk about the Bose radios.
Lol Dennis, we all share these lovely features all our maximas have....rad, bose, ps hoses, maf...
D.Stillwell is offline  
Old 03-17-2015, 01:57 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
CMax03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 9,538
1-800-Radiator...for fast service!

https://www.1800radiator.com/
CMax03 is offline  
Old 03-17-2015, 02:12 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
george__'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Earth
Posts: 4,227
Originally Posted by CMax03
1-800-Radiator...for fast service!

https://www.1800radiator.com/
spyware?
george__ is offline  
Old 03-17-2015, 02:56 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
CMax03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 9,538
Originally Posted by george__
spyware?
contact#....
CMax03 is offline  
Old 03-17-2015, 03:05 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
D.Stillwell's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Snakeden Branch, VA
Posts: 1,441
^^

Classic george..

What would this place be without him
D.Stillwell is offline  
Old 03-17-2015, 03:18 PM
  #12  
Bad *** Newb
iTrader: (7)
 
Child_uv_KoRn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,943
Originally Posted by DennisMik
I have. My 94 and 97 Maximas had lowers that were in worse shape than the uppers. My 97 had the worst ones. My 2000 didn't need any, the originals were fine.

The only sad part is that I had to replace the radiators on all 3 Maximas. And let's not talk about the Bose radios.
Ah. I haven't owned any 4th gens. It sounds like the 5th gen ones are a lot better.
Child_uv_KoRn is offline  
Old 03-26-2015, 01:04 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
mclasser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: The Northeast
Posts: 681
Thanks everyone for the helpful info. Although a long shot, I tried swapping out radiator caps just in case that was leaking and causing coolant to pool on top of the radiator. No dice; as the car idles, I actually see the coolant leaking out of the seam. Now I know for sure I need a new rad. If I drive around the city, the coolant level in the overflow bottle barely drops but highway driving empties the sucker out completely every 4-5 days. Made an appointment with my indy for the weekend.
mclasser is offline  
Old 03-26-2015, 05:42 PM
  #14  
Member
 
AEKnight's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 194
It literally takes like 30 minutes to replace the radiator. I've replaced them on both my maximas. You could reconsider doing it yourself.
AEKnight is offline  
Old 03-26-2015, 07:08 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
D.Stillwell's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Snakeden Branch, VA
Posts: 1,441
Originally Posted by AEKnight
It literally takes like 30 minutes to replace the radiator. I've replaced them on both my maximas. You could reconsider doing it yourself.
I concur. I've done it too not long ago. Pretty sure there's a writeup here somewhere...
D.Stillwell is offline  
Old 03-28-2015, 08:29 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
ateick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 496
A little off OPs original topic but has anyone had an problems with a non Koyo product? Koyo is a bit harder and more expensive to source here in Canada. I can get a TYC with a new Gates upper and lower hose for about half the price of just a Koyo.
ateick is offline  
Old 03-28-2015, 09:11 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
george__'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Earth
Posts: 4,227
^
I used a TYC one form RockAuto after the front end accident. No problems yet
george__ is offline  
Old 03-29-2015, 06:57 PM
  #18  
Newbie - Just Registered
 
1stTymer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: In a city
Posts: 12
Just did mine yesterday as well and I got the spectra radiator from rock auto paid $89 and took about an hour to replace and it was easy.
1stTymer is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
litch
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
123
01-04-2024 07:01 PM
hcarter1112
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
42
07-18-2022 03:35 PM
aw11power
Supercharged/Turbocharged
161
10-10-2021 04:57 AM
Miket2006
6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008)
4
03-01-2021 03:55 AM
Unclejunebug
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
10
04-02-2016 05:42 AM



Quick Reply: Radiator seam leaking



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:42 PM.