Ok well I replaced my lower Radiator hose since it was leaking and it was fine for a couple weeks. Yesterday afternoon I smell coolant and check out the hose I replaced but its not leaking there. I see coolant on the waterpump side at the bottom but I dont see any coolant near the water pump... Hopefully I will find the leak soon. GRRR

 

I had to hunt for my rad leak a good bit...

Turns out there was a small little pinhole in the top of the radiator underneath where the factory air intake ran. The trick of this was that it sprayed up against the underside of the intake and ran down onto the hose... devil of the a time finding the bugger.

I eventually stocked her full of water got the engine hot and watched for a spray. (with the intake off)

Good luck!

(i'll vouch for JB Weld patching the hole though!)

 

I doubt its my radiator but thanks for the response. The leak is near the water pump, I haven't found it yet though.

It looks like I have a slight oil leak as well. I don't see any oil leaking atm but there is oil all around my oil filter. Isn't there an o-ring that can be replaced for the leak?

 

There are 2 small pipes (inlet and outlet) that feed coolant around the oil filter. Those pipes are prone to rusting away. Don't know if that's part of your problem, but there it is anyway. Both of mine had to get replaced after 8 years; failure was eminent.

 

You replace the whole pipe? Do you happen to have a link where I could purchase them if that is my problem?

 

Pipes. Plural. They're like $20/each. You can buy them at your local Nissan Parts Department.

Of course, before spending any $$$, get the car up in the air and assess their condition. You live in CA, so maybe they're just fine.

 

Ho can you see your water pump. It's inside the engine. I am willing to bet that your water pump is starting to go. If you see coolant dripping from the motor at the bottom by the belts, then it's your pump.

 

I never said I could see the pump? I know it is internal I have replaced one on a 4th gen before... I said I doubt it is the radiator...

Actually I sort of did, I meant I don't see any on the plate that covers it. You are probably right... :/

 

When you look at the timing tensor and water pump covers they both have RTV sealant around them, I know that does not mean the pump was ever changed so maybe the guy before attempted to change it then said screw it when he pulled the plates off?

I can't find the leak, there is coolant on the bottom of the engine pan, around the oil filter and on the passanger side axel. I just can't find the origin of the leak.

It could be the water pump but I want to be sure before I go get one and spend 4-5 hours chaning it out.

I barrowed a pressure tester from Autozone, I asked if they had dye but I guess they don't. He suggested the pressure tester so I will use it and see if helps.

 

Yes there is an O ring that wares out near the oil filter, and as for a coolant leak check this one tube that is a oil coolant tube as this one is very prone to rusting out.

 

I hooked up the pressure tester from autozone and it did not drop at all. I turned the car on and the damn thing would not leak anywhere!

Then I noticed the harness with 2 electrical plugs that go into the oil pan area was not bolted in! It was rubbing against the axel and the plastic was chewed up pretty good, I got that put back.

so I guess even though I am still lost on this leak I caught that before it got worse. :/

If the system is holding pressure, is it safe to assume it is the water pump? I really don't know where to go from here lol. And I don't want my wife driving around with a leak.

 

If it is the water pump and the leak is minimal, you will probably be all right for a while. Just keep the coolant level topped off and if the car starts suddenly loosing more coolant, stop driving it until you can get it fixed.

 

I am thinking of just replacing the pump its fairy inexpensive and if its not the pump I can consider it preventative maintenance lol. It just scares me a bit because I ask my wife to keep an eye on the temp gauge then whenever I ask her she says she forgot and will check next time... :/

I have about 75 dollar store credit at Autozone since I lost the receipt for the tool I borrowed... Dunno how that happened, but with it I will buy a water pump and oil/filter and replace the pump.

 

Pump isn't expensive but replacing it will be pretty labor intensive.

 

Yep, I helped a buddy do it on his 4th gen years ago... I am not looking forward to it. I am thinking of picking up some dye to see if that helps find the leak, but I don't know what else it would be.

 

Did you get it figured out pkrainert?

My problem as well.
http://forums.maxima.org/general-max...te-chalky.html

 

I have not really figured it out lol. I drove about 80 miles today with no coolant loss or smell but I think it might still have a small leak... I dont have any residue anywhere though.

 

When I had a coolant leak, it was because there was a lot of chalky buildup on the hose inlet(?) it was rather thick and took some effort to chip away at.

No leaks!

Aside from that, make sure you use distilled water in your coolant mix to minimize chalky buildup.

 

I know everyone here recommends Koyo Radiators. But they're a plastic tank/aluminum core construction. Which I've had problems with in the past (leaking at the core/tank junction). Has anyone tried/used the ALL metal (tank/core) CSF brand radiator? Please give opinions or experiences.

Thanx in advance!

 

I have always used distilled water but thanks. And its not at a hose inlet I have taked all the hoses off and checked for corrosion and they are all fine. The only things i have not taken off are the tubes.

 

Look on the Pass side under the intake piping. There is a metal horizontal coolant pipe and the gaskets seem to go bad. I think my rear one is leaking and I can see a hint of residual coolant collecting on the corner of the head back there.

The right side #8 in the pic:



http://nissan4u.com/parts/maxima/us_a33b/2002_6/type_30/exhaust_and_cooling/water_pump_cooling_fan_thermostat_water_hose_and_p iping/illustration_1/

 

Ugh... The intake is on the drivers side, do you mean the drivers side?

And I have no leak there, at least not yet I added dye to my radiator and it has not shown up over there.

Edit*

Well it has been a couple days since I have looked with the dye kit glasses and light... And I put them on looked under the passenger side since that was where the first leak was before I changed my water pump but it hasn't really been leaking like it used to after I changed the pump...

Anyways I move over to the driver side (where the tranny meets the motor) and I see coolant so I checked out that tube you are talking about and it has green all around it!!!! I hope that is my final leak lol! I am pretty excited right now lol.

Does anyone know where can I get that gasket?

I might as well replace both gaskets. I have found them for about 2 dollars each but shipping is around 13 bucks lol.

Will these work as well ? http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=2655706

Sorry it's late for me and I need sleep, found my answer "Alternate/OEM Part Number(s): 1106231U00, 11062AL500, 11062AL501"

OK so the gaskets are coming in today from Rock Auto. I will probably end up doing it tomorrow but I just want to know how much coolant is going to come out when I take this pipe off. I am guessing I should drain the radiator first to reduce the amount that comes out.

Normally I wouldn't mind it but it has dye in it and I am not sure how hard it is to clean that dye off when it spills.

Well that was more of a pain than I thought it was going to be. Word of advice just take those two metal tubes out that run infront of the head and get some o-rings for them.

Also two of the hose clamps that I needed to take off I could not get to so I had to unbolt the thing that has the bleeder vavle. I tried to get a gasket for it but they did not have one so I just put it back on, if it leaks I will order one online and pop it in.

And for anyone who has to do this remember to clean the surface area on both sides before you put the gasket in. It took about 2/3rds of the coolant bottle which I belive comes in a galon jug?