Something sprayed all over the engine bay and i dont know what it is. Feels slick like oil, but sticky like antifreeze. The spray looks like antifreeze when it dries. But some parts look like oil.

I checked the coolant level, oil level, PS level, and brake fluid level. All are fine. coolant level is lower then normal, but the rad is full.

You can see in the pics that it looks like whatever leaked hit the fans and was carried all over.
Based on the fact that the coolant level is the only fluid that changed i was thinking coolant leak. But the rad is still full and there is no puddles under the car from it sitting over night.

I am kinda at a loss. I am thinking either bad rad cap, or bad upper hose. At 97k it wouldnt surprise me if either of them went bad.

 

I'd give it a wiff and see what it is and of course try to track down where it came from.

 

I did its some kinda funky antifreeze I use the green stuff and this stuff is the long life brown stuff.

I am 100% sure its coming from the front. and it most definitely hit the fans. Upper hose is perfect. I am going to say its the cap.
Doing a drain and fill now and replace the cap and see how it goes from there.

 

My engine had that same look when my radiator had a slight crack in it. Had it pressure checked to see for sure, but it is a coolant leak.

 

What's Freon look like? A/C compressor leaking?

 

Check the radiator. They are common to have leaks, and my engine bay looked similar when mine had 2-3 leaks in it.

 

Thats a good idea. I will get the system pressure checked

 

That is definatly a radiator leak.

Pls post pics of the radiator top rather than the spray on the engine cover

From your first pic I see the top of the radiator already has signs of leak. You probably have a leak at the metal plastic joint like most of us have had!

I'd start saving for a koyo unit from the group deals section.

 

Looks like the upper radiator tank gave way somewhere on the front seam. Go pick up another radiator. Don't forget to look over the Koyo Radiator GD over in the GD forum. It looks to be a pretty good price.

 

Could it be a hairline leak in one of the radiator hoses?

Decades ago I had an intermittent coolant fluid leak that only manifested when the car was running hot. Turned out to be a crack in the rubber of the lower radiator hose. I was fine for short trips, but on long drives it would start spraying. And of course, it got progressively worse real fast. It was winter at the time, which didn't help the diagnosis. (And it was an old winter car, which meant I didn't really give a damn.)

 

I found it. It cracked on the drivers side where its raised and says calsonic.

I did order one from the GB. Hopefully it will be here soon.

 

That same exact crack just had me replacing my radiator 2 days ago. Searching the forum shows that its happened to other people in the same exact place.

Enjoy the install of the Koyo, it's super easy. ImportRP ships quickly, so you shouldnt have to wait too long.

 

This seems to be all too common!

What miles did yours go at??

 

I have the same thing going on. It's the top of the radiator where the plastic is crimped to the radiator. Common problem. Got my new group buy Koyo Radiator today. Only took two days from Pennsylvania to Florida. Looks just like the original. Mine went at 110K on an 02.

 

Yup, I have this leak currently at the top seam of the radiator similar to what he's ^^^ saying. Time for a new radiator.... I've heard only good things about Koyo.

 

Mine went at 98k. At least it was an easy fix. The hardest part was degreasing the motor and having to redetail the engine bay. Antifreeze is quite difficult to clean off.

 

damn...this is exactly what mine looks like-just popped the hood after getting to work and smelling coolant while sitting at the light on the way in.

Coolant is low, nearly empty in overflow and spray on the engine cover is identical. summamabish!#(*$

 

^lol at least its an easy fix...at least for the manual max's

 

the auto just seems to add two more small lines to detach. nothing major really...

when i say 'exactly what mine looks like' i mean it...just snapped

 

eww looks like puke, green puke lol

 

yep...Koyo replacement and new gates hoses on the way-$150 shipped to my door. not bad.

 

Dont forget the hose clamps.and dont get the pep bpys ones with the yellow T nut on them because when you get it nice and tight the plastic is going to strip and you'll be pi**ed.

 

My rad on my 1991 240sx did the exact same thing.

 

If you wanted it today and didnt care about the Koyo and Gates brands, you could go to the advance auto site and pick it up for $102 + tax using code LC123. Just a thought.

 

^yea i'm using that today for my water pump etc parts, it works i'm paying for it today online and picking it up at the store

 

I know i need clamps, probably have some laying around but intend to go buy just to have new. Dont think ive ever seen these but good to know about the pepboys crap (i rarely shop there anyway.) Thank you

Damn,
already ordered and my stuff has shipped. no biggie, not like i can work on it yet anyway.

 

use it for other stuff you might be able to use/need to replace then

 

Did anyone experience power loss from this, maybe mine is causing heat soak because of the leak? This is the third part I'm Bout to replace because of power lag, my rad is leaking from the same place as everyone elses..

 

no

 

thanks guys I have this same symptom..gonna check my radiatior tomorroa and replace if necessary, but my engine bay looks identical to yours so im already pretty sure its my radiatior

 

The best way I've cleaned coolant is to use alot of water. And of course be careful with the electrical components and cover them up, and don't use low pressure to avoid splashing.

 

I just recently had this same problem. I'm planning on replacing my radiator because as of now, my car runs through all my coolant in about a day. So there must be a leak or something wrong within my radiator.

 

I have the same problem and its on the same spot as well. I wanna see if I can solder it tho lol. If not, a new radiator will be purchased

 

I had to buy a new radiator

 

the upper radiator tank gave way somewhere on the front seam.

 

i have a 2002 maxima and you also got the luck of getting the 3.0 radiator from the previous year.
mine has busted so have a couple of my buddys.
you will soon need to get the new one.
the one i just bought is twice the size in width if that tells you anything.

 

i have the same exact problem, as imStricken said, it looks like upper radiator tank is leaking at the seam. should I just get KOYO? is that the best aftermarket one to get besides OEM? or cheapo autozone crap?

$150 range right?? any thing else to consider when doing this?

man the max is really taking a dive right now at 176k

 

Call 1800 radiator!

https://www.1800radiator.com/Account...erRetailSplash

 

Ebay. $45 shipped.

 

Fun of owning Maxima :P