i have a 2000 maxima gle and my heat stopped working so i checked antifreeze and yep it was pretty low. the best i can tell is its coming from the top portion of the radiator where the plastic seal meshes up with the actual aluminum part because there is all fresh antifreeze sitting on that top ledge.

so im guessing its the radiator? But will not be tackling it myself and will bring it to mechanic monday morning. but was just wondering if its ok to buy from a regular parts store like pep boys or oriehly or what? are those ones reliable?

not sure but kind of wanted to take it in with radiator already purchased to try and save on the job if its even that.

what do you think a fair price is for just install? and radiator plus install? im curently in dallas texas and far from the shops and mechanics i know. just dont want to get ripped off.

thank in advance to any that may help.

 

Radiator should be around $100.
Install should be a couple of hours labor.

 

Yes, a radiator from those part stores will do just fine.

 

i would buy a radiator here from the group deals section. Radiator replacement is EXTREMELY EASY. you could save a lot of money.

Literally all you have to do is disconnect the hoses, LIFT the radiator out, put a new one in, and reconnect the hoses. The radiator isn't screwed in or anything fancy. Its easier than changing your spark plugs.

 

Yes, its time for a new radiator. Get a new one and use OEM coolant only. Also time to replace upper and lower radiator hoses, thermostat (if u haven't already) and pressure clamps. If u change them all, you wouldn't have to think about the entire cooling system for a very very long time.

 

I bought the $70 radiator off of ebay (after autozone told me it was gonna be $200) and installed it myself in my drive way in 15min with a friend helping. so $70 and maybe 25 min of my time vs. $200radiator+$100/hr mech. labor= $300-$400.

 

thanks again for the imput, its greatly appreciated. im a maintenance freak and my max just hit 100k and im living in texas now where its hot most of year so i elected to do it all.

radiator online for $115, upper and lower hoses, clamps, thermostat, silicone and prestone antifreeze from pepboys $100.

Total of $215 and it took me about two hours but would probably take anyone else less time. i was interrupted quite a few times. damn kids ha ha ha jk

 

yeah sounds about fair. Good stuff. You saved quite a bit doing yourself and told ya it was a snap