There is the problem: I have 98 GXE and today while driving noticed smoke coming out of the front grill. I stopped and opened the hood, and the top left and top right corners of the radiator were leaking coolant. The temperature that is shown on the dash is normal. I am kind of worried now so if anyone has any ideas they will be appreciated. Thank you! I will get pics tomorrow too.

 

So you have two leaks?

Best bet in this case is to replace the radiator.
Temp fix is to get the EXTERNAL radiator seal, kind of like a putty, made for radiators, that you can apply to stop the leak. Do not use any of those liquid radiator "stop-leaks".

Radiators are pretty cheap these days, but I don't know what your level of mechanic work is, nor how easy/hard it is to replace it yourself on the 4th gen.

 

Time for a new radiator, plain and simple.

Easy fix!

 

I saw the leak too. It is coming from the top seam like part where the plastic connects to the metal.
I have never seen anything like that before, and I have seen shot radiators.

 

[quote=PRacing;6692246]So you have two leaks?

Yes, I do. I will check the radiator cap, the tank with coolant and the hose that connects them. I hope it is not serious because if I have to replace the whole radiator

 

about $400 for an OEM or $140-150 for AutoZone and such

 

I have seen that before on other cars.

 

$70 shipped off ebay, 1/2 hour of work max and no problems yet - and i had the same leak you do. check local rad repair shops, maybe they can fix it cheaper.

 

Replace it, takes 30 minutes.

 

I looked up online and I do not feel like spending $450 for a radiator. I might look up a shop that fixes radiators.

 

the one you found must be a platinum-titanium alloy, very good quality etc but look at what i've found: http://motors.shop.ebay.com/_Car-Tru...ma+95+radiator

 

Thanks man. I will look it up. The one I looked at was an original Nissan one. It is a new one too.

 

out of curiosity, whats the difference in quality between the OEM and some of those eBay ones? I looked up the link and some of those are selling for like $25.

 

ebay ones are made in china instead of japan

 

radiatorbarn.com is where i got mine from when i had the same problem. 112 dollars shipped i think it was, reliable company, thats where a lot of guys i know from my jeep days got theirs. no problems.

 

had the same problem in march. radiator leak and smoke was coming out of the hood. bought a radiator online for under $150.....works fine now

 

I got a used radiator from a scrap yard for my 95 maxima 4 years ago for 50$ easy to install.

 

The radiator stopped leaking by itself. It is very strange. I guess it fixed itself or I am driving without coolant

 

Over the weekend I had some free time, so I took out and cleaned up my radiator tank and checked the whole system. Everything works good and the radiator started leaking again just today. I think I will just buy a new one and replace the damn thing and that should take care of it.

 

I got a new 1 for $100 shipped and it was at my house the next day.

 

Where did you get it from? Is it the original Nissan one?

 

It's not a Nissan one, but it works fine. I forgot the company I called sorry, it was a while ago.

 

buy a new radiator.. thats your best bet.. just look around on the forum for someone selling one or hit up a local junk/salvage yard.. they warentee there parts for 90 days i believe..

 

I want to get a new one, but it is expensive. Now I am looking around for a junk yard!

 

I replaced my original radiator with one from 1800radiators at the same time I replaced my transmission. Bad decision. I started getting mysterious overheating problems. I finally noticed some steam coming fom under the hood when idling. I found a steam leak from the corner of the radiator. I replaced it with one I bought from autozone and everything has been fine since.

 

I plan on purchasing one from AutoPartsDeal.com for $64.09 plus $10.90 shipping & handling from California. should be in PA in 4-7 business days. Mine has a clog which overheats about 3/4 of the way up on the temperature gauge on a steep climb on a warm day! I took the old one in for a check at a Radiator shop & they said only 2 gallons/minute is going through, he said it should get about 12 gallons/minute! I'm still driving it since its colder out with NO problems, so I think I can wait another week to address it. Did anyonelse have this problem? It doesn't leak at all, and I usually change my anti-freeze about every two years! My 5-speed SE has 152,000 miles.

 

I wander what we call this post here..... may be a thread jack?
just kidding, I don't care

 

+1

 

I keep driving the car for now. It still leaks a little and I have to add coolant, but I really need to find the time to get another radiator and replace the old one.

 

yup im on my second one now. Got one used from a member for $45 shipped had 80k or something on it no leaks. Installed it last week and last night noticed it was leaking and white smoke coming from under the hood. Leaks from the left hand side top corner where the metal meets the plastic. Just gonna buy a new one off ebay seen one for under $60 shipped http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-...3A1|240%3A1318

 

or check the group deal. Don't know much about brands of radiators though.

http://forums.maxima.org/group-deals...t-pricing.html

 

I will need to get a new radiator, but there is another problem that just came up and I have to deal with!

 

What's the new problem???

 

Well, the radiator still leaks coolant, but now the temperature goes way up to. Few days ago I got in my car after it was sitting for few hours and started driving. Within five minutes of driving it started overheating and I pulled over. Looked the tank and it was over the maximum, then I checked the radiator and there was nothing...just air. I added some coolant and went home without any problems, but the next day the same thing repeated again. I have no idea what's wrong with the car. If you one has an idea of what's wrong and how to fix it please let me know. Thank you!

 

could that be related to a thermostat problem as well?

 

450 wow was it made of gold i used to work for Oreily auto parts here is the number to a place we used to use.. 1800 radiator another place is bauer radiator 800)-462-2837 they both have ac parts also if you need em

 

I replaced my thermostat and radiator at the same time for this problem. Got a thermostat for 16.79 from the dealer and 140 for the new radiator switched. Could have save $20 on the radiator, but it took about 30-45 min once I received the parts. Leaking on the left and right side. 154k on my 99 SE. Nice and cool now with no leaks!!

http://www.nissanpart4u.com/oem_parts.html
This dealer has the thermostat for $15.84.

 

It is new Nissan one. That is why it cost $450 I guess

 

that also happened to me. you need to buy some epoxy at an auto store and clean the radiator before you put it on. that worked for me. it will last until you get it replaced. but you definetly need to get a new radiator. get one at a salvage

 

I will get a new radiator, but I haven't decided if I should get one from a wreck yard or a new aftermarket one. What's your opinion on that?