Perhaps this is a relative no-brainer but I always like to get opinions and recommendations where possible.

I found that my coolant recovery tank is a bit dry rotted and cracking ... replacement is a for sure.

I found that the dealer sells an "assembly" that includes everything from the radiator puke hose to a new mounting screw. It's $74.00.

I've also found that Rock Auto sells two (2). One (brand un-named) for $11.00 and a Dorman for $22.00.

Has anyone replaced their tank?

What'd you get?

Does even really friggin matter?

 

Holy Crap!

I just checked Advance Auto and O"Reilly's on accounta they're local.

For the Dorman piece (P/N 603-617) that Rock Auto wants $22.00 + $8.00 shipping for O'Reilly's wants $59.99 and Advance wants $81.99 !!

I repeat ... Holy Crap !!

 

The $11 no name will out last the remaining life of the car.

 

you can get fancy aftermarket metal ones on Ebay. if you just want a generic option, go to the junkyard and get one from another Maxima. worst case, get a tank from a different vehicle like a Camry or whatever and make it work. if youre ghetto, you can use a 2L pop bottle, Coke can, etc

 

Spent $29 on the Dorman OE replacement piece from Rock Auto ... $29 shipped.

I've used several Dorman replacement parts on my old Lightning, including a coolant overflow tank, and haven't had any complaints yet.

No need for fancy and zero ghetto for me.

 

Or thet autozone generic overflow tank!

 

I wouldn't be too sure about that. I would get a used one from the classifieds section.

 

I need to get to a junkyard. I just paid ~$15 for a Bosch O-ring at a local auto parts store and am about to pay $2.30 for one stinking screw at the local Nissan dealership. I sense I'm going to be needing more parts soon, and at this rate I'm going to end up without enough money left for gas...

 

I now have a complaint about a Dorman part. This one is just wrong and cannot be installed. This is NOT an OE replacement part.

The Dorman tank has no mounting tabs. Based on the mold of the tank it appears that it must be snapped into some sort of bracket that, in the 4th Gen e-compartment, does not exist.

I've also shopped for the bracket that the tank appears to require with no luck.

Dorman P/N:


Dorman part:


OE tank:


OE tank. Note the mounting tabs ... which are absent on the Dorman part:

 

I just got some exceedingly interesting information back from Rock Auto (that's where I bought the Dorman tank).

I actually did buy the wrong part. But not because I chose the wrong part.

Both Rock Auto folks and Dorman folks have been researching my issue for the last few days since I alleged that the part Dorman says is appropriate for a 4th Gen Maxima is, in fact, not and based on my photos appears to be true.

I sent the photos and my VIN to Rock Auto and they in turn sent that info to Dorman.

Turns out I have a 5th Gen reservoir in my 4th Gen. The appropriate Dorman replacement P/N for the 5th Gen is 603-505.

Not sure any other end-of-model-run 4th Gen owners might run into the same issue but I wanted pass this most interesting tidbit of info on.

BTW ... based on this craziness, Rock Auto is refunding my money and they are not requiring me to return the part.

 

My 96 has the bracket style resevoire. What year is yours?

I have always been happy with rockauto.

 

I have this style in all of my Maximas

 

nice 4th red gen maxima, dont see those around much hehe

 

No bracket in mine.

It's a '99. If I'm not mistaken it's one of last 2000 units of the 4th Gen model run.

... and I'm still quite happy doing business with Rock Auto. Both they and the folks at Dorman did quite a bit of leg work figuring this silliness out.

I've actually ordered the tank for a '00 which appears to be an exact fit for my car.

 

I think maybe the previous owner before you switched it out for a 00 tank?

My 95's, 98, and 99's all have the same tank that require the bracket.

 

No previous owner ... I bought it off the showroom floor.

 

Must be the red color then. Unique parts for a unique/rare color.

 

... 'er somethin ...

 

You might actually be correct ...

I googled 1999 Nissan Maxima SE Limited. Found this photo:

Check the coolant tank ----

 

You mean forever, right?

 

should last nearly forever. the only way reservoirs break is from someone physically bumping into them or just naturally going brittle from having cold coolant in there overnight to warm coolant when the cars running

 

original coolant tank, but i just replaced my 95's tranny coolant hose cause the clamps were rusted from tranny fluid leaking. couldv'e caused damage to the trans. good thing i'm always lookin under the hood. especially in this cold weather. ( like canada )

 

Bought one from the junkyard for 6 bucks in good condition.

 

hey guys:

I got a 1999 I30 limited which is nearly identical mechanical wise. I've also got a year 2000 tank with 2 bolts installed. I thought It was a mistake from the body shop when the car was been fixed. but now its more clear of what's going on. I've also got a wasted '99 tank I bought not knowing(like I should)this is the wrong part. my original tank has cracked for a while now, its getting worse so i had to deal with it. thx for the post and i hope my reply helps.