i talked with a shop, and plastic radiators can't be fixed so a new one is needed, i was thinking about going to a salvage yard, i was wondering if all 3rd generation radiators are the same or should i just try to find one for my '89 SE and about how much one should cost?

Is the removal/install easy enough for a average guy, it seems like it should be easy?

 

Peice of cake to do.
any GOOD junkyard will pressure test a radiator before they sell it, but if you go to a "U Pull And Save" type of place if there is still anti-freeze in it it`s probably good.

 

Yes, just disconnect the upper and lower radiator hoses, and transmissions lines. Remove the top brackets and pull it out. How did it break?

 

i guess it was just old, (are maxima radiators weak?) i noticed a good amount of steam coming out from under the hood, popped it and noticed two cracks on the plastic top close to the hose,

i tried to use some expoxy to seal it but that quickly failed

how much should a radiator cost at a good junkyard and at a pull and save?

 

good yard 75 - 100 bucks
UPAS 25 - 50 bucks

 

I picked one up a couple weeks ago at Radiator Discount Warehouse for $116 after tax... I think they're a national chain, they have some good prices on other parts as well

 

Get a Z32 radiator if you can, but you will have to get some custom radiator hoses though.

 

Before u go to the yard know that I have had great success with ribon epoxy on this type off repair. Its green and yellow. Costs about $2.00 and is made by Du pont I believe. It is blisterpacked and can be found many places. The advantage of this type of epoxy is that you dont have to mix 2 liquids so u get the correct mix . Worth a $2 shot plus you will have enough left over to do 10 or twenty more radiators . About 3 minutes work goood luck!

 

i think epoxy anything is just a short-term fix and i dont need this breaking again in a few months

what are the advantages of the z32 radiator(is that the older 300zx?) and how much would custom hoses cost and how would i get made?

 

got it replaced with a 90 gxe radiator, its all metal so repairing it next time will be easier, i got a pressure tested one for $80, i went the a the u pull and save but their there wasnt a maxima in the 2 places i went too, i guess maximas stick around, anyway thank you for the help