Hey guys I got home from work today, and my wife said something was gonna on with the Maxima, something was burning and leaking anti-freeze. Well I got in the garage and yeah the smell was definitely coolant. Popped the hood and the top tank just right of the filler cap @ the Nissan Logo is where it cracked,... Damm! It's about 1.5 " in lenght and that logo edge is a stress spot. So my question to you guys is this...Who's tried the all aluminum 2 row heavy duty radiators from Genesis Auto Parts? They make heavy duty radiators for it seems all Maximas. I'm trying to get rid of this plastic/aluminum contraption cause that plastic tank is the weakest link.

http://www.genesisautoparts.com/all_...an/maxima.html

 

They are out of stock if you need one quick...

I went with an all metal radiator in my old Accord. Never had a problem with it. Not sure why there was even a change to metal cores with plastic tops and bottoms. Radiators used to be all metal and that seemed to work just fine.

 

Why did the manufacurers change to plastic? Because its cheaper. If the plastic part is half as good as the metal one, its a done deal.

 

Saving weight and saving money! Every $5 they saved per vehicle is Millions save in profit!
Scott how long of you used this all aluminum Accord Radiator? I'll call them 2morrow, correction later 2day concerning the radiator and how long it'll take.
I'm lucky it never overheated on my wife. I would have to pull the heads and god knows I go crazy modding the hell out of the ports, adding JWT S1 cams port matching, phenolic IM spacers. may even throw in some forged 10.5 to 1 pistons and heavy duty rods Cosworth or Carillo, I just don't know how to stop....

 

I can't imagine the weight savings is that much between aluminum and plastic. Looking on line, I don't really see any cost savings either. Besides, race cars use all metal radiators.

I put the all aluminum radiator in my Accord about 3 years before I sold it.

 

I'm wondering if plastic tanks are used now to lessen the effects of electrolysis on the aluminum core since the core is somewhat isolated from the frame mounts etc, with it's plastic tank bosses.

 

Plastic is pure cost savings. It easy to mold, and you can cheaply reuse the scraps. And it's way cheaper than aluminum.

I hate plastic ones. I've had 2 fail on my Jeep in 10 years.

If you can find an all metal one for a reasonable price and plan on keeping the car I'd go for it. If you don't plan on having the car more than a couple years or the cost is way more than a plastic one go for plastic. I found a plastic tank one for my Jeep (It will be dead in a couple years anyway) on Ebay for $100 shipped. It's been in there for a year with no problems.

 

...But whatever you decide in terms of the type of radiator, replace it ASAP before the overheating episodes start happening when you least expect them and cause major issues in your car.

 

You might want to check out this thread in the GroupDeals/Sponsors forum

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

 

^^^ +1
I was gonna say the same thing. I ordered one from him and got it in a day or two. Quality is nice too.

 

Looks like a pretty nice radiator for the price. I'd say go with it if you plan to keep the car.

And I agree with Nelsito do it quick. It doesn't take much to overheat and do some serious damage to the motor.

 

Same thing happened to mine, i replaced it with the koyo rad linked above.

 

The car is grounded (like an Aircraft) and isn't going anywhere even though it only lost about a cup of coolant! The Koyo should be here tomorrow or Friday!

I'm not sure if I'm getting the copper cored one but, the most important thing was that the radiator had to be built in the US or Japan (Japan preferably). I tried contacting Genesis Auto Parts concerning the 2 row Heavy Duty all aluminum Maxima radiators they carry and once they answered their freakin phone, the saleman told my they were out of stock of the 2003 Maxima rads...I asked when would they would be getting somemore? He couldn't answer that question it seemed, then I asked where the all aluminum 2 row radiations were made...he said, China! I almost vomited, I hate M.I.C. sh*t. It looks good, it looks like the real mcCoy, but never fit worth a sh*t. I went thru that with my first radiator change in my 1986.5 D21 Hardbody a few months ago. The Oem lasted 22 yrs no problems.

 

Good call on your part. I'm not a big fan of M.I.C. stuff either. The one I bought off EBay for $105 shipped for my Jeep was made in the USA. Some plant in the midwest. It was stamped right on the Radiator. I have to say it looked pretty well built.

 

i bought my radiator from that vendor. great unit. had no problems with it. it sucks when the radiator cracks..make sure you drain all the fluid out...theres a whole lot in there..be prepared..haha i wasn't

 

Which Vendor? Genesis? Or 1800-Radiator?Or KOYO?

 

Is this a common problem on the 5th gen Maxima? I'd had never heard of this previously.

 

No my wife was ran over a curb @ about 50 mph after being hit slightly in the front, more like a t-bone but glanced off the front r/h fender about 5yrs ago, and I'm sure since the radiator support core was damaged that the radiator was probably flexed somewhat but the problem is just turning into a real problem now. The front motor mount also failed recently and it's also located on that right front fender. The radiators in the 5th gen are know to be slight overengineered for their application.

 

yes it is common for it to crack in that spot