I just got my oil changed the other day by Nissan and they recommended I get my radiator replaced. I knew that I have been leaking radiator fluid, but I honestly thought it might be a crack in the plastic overflow tank (Being that it is 15 years old and the radiator is 2.5 years old). I told the service guy that they replaced the radiator with a brand new one a couple years ago, and he looked it up and confirmed. I told him this should not be typical and that maybe they installed a faulty one or something. He said it is not under warranty anymore. Anyways, I was just seeing if anyone had a similar experience with a new radiator being installed and a couple years later finding it had a hair line crank and it would need replaced.

 

Unfortunately the Nissan radiator is a weak design. 50K is kind of early but it is what it is.

Many of us have gotten the KOYO radiator in the group deal section and it seems to be a very good replacement.

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

 

You cant really rate a radiator by mileage. Anything could've happened to cause a crack. They're suggesting it due to a leak, its not like their suggesting due to overheating or something.

 

could be a bad install. the rad is supposed to sit on mounts that let it bounce around gently. If its mounted so that it gets harshly pushed around, the plastic will stress and crack.

 

+1 the koyorad is thicker than OEM and a great replacement. If you have $$ to spend get a mishimoto or griffin, but they are at least double the price of the koyo

 

Go with all metal and never worry about plastic end tanks again. Cracks in metal end tanks can also often be repaired. Don't know if you got a manual or automatic transmission.

Found this one:
http://www.cxracing.com/mm5/merchant...MAXIMA-9599-MT

I would find out what warranty is offered before purchasing any radiator.

 

Honestly, that radiator should not be leaking with only that mileage. It has to be moving around and something punctured it. I would have a second shop look at it and don't inform them of any leak. If they pick it up, then it does need replacing. The dealer could tell you anything especially if you don't know anything about your car.

 

We replaced our radiator with a plastic one and that didn't last long at all...spectre brand I believe but it was from AutoZone. I would like to believe it was just a defected one but just didn't want to take a chance second time around..