....just wondering how much you guys spent to have yours replaced?

...mine finally went out this mrng as there is a huge crack along the topside if the radiator.

local guy quoted me $470 with parts and labor and two hoses.

not having much tools at my disposal (not to mention a proper way to dispose of the coolant) , im having it done.

just wondering to those who had to pay to have there's done, how much did you fork out?

 

THAT IS WAYYYYYYYYYY over priced!!! i paid no more than $100 for my radiator (didnt replace my hoses until i hit 200k (radiator went at about 130k) and i did it in about 15-20 minutes in the dark. the radiator for the 5speeds are a piece of cake

 

This.

I paid around $110 for the radiator and the job took maybe 20-30 minutes with minimal tools (sockets, channel locks, and maybe a screwdriver).

 

I bought the Koyo rad in the GD section for $150. And installed it in about an hour.

 

My first 5th gen I bought the radiator from ebay for about $70 and mechanic installed it for $40, that is way way overpriced. You could have got new struts

 

well i know its cheaper to just fix it myself....i just dont have any tools at my disposal (or a place to do it for that matter) ;

so i was seeing if anyone who was "forced" to take it to a shop, let me know how much they paid to have it done?

 

I just told you I took mine to a shop.

 

Should be more than 1-1.5 hours total labor, shop should be able to find a radiator for $150 or less, 2 hoses another $40, maybe $300-325 is a fair price.

 

im confused....an average mechanic that charges a labor rate of approx $75 a hour installed your radiator for only $40 when its clearly a hour and a half to two hour job and on top of that gave you coolant and replaced your hoses?

all for $40? not doubting you; but i dont see how a shop can stay open giving people killer hookups like that...

 

Use $30 and get your own tools...buy a Koyo in the Group Deals section...and do it yourself. Wouldn't cost but a 3rd of that mechanic's price.

It really is an easy job...

You can dispose the fluid at an auto parts store.

 

$105 for the rad and maybe an hour-ish to do the install, it just might get a little messy but its definitely not a job that needs to be done by a mechanic. $470 is a complete ripoff, just do it yourself, and it's always good to get an extra set of hands to help too.

 

Too bad you're in Fontucky, I could do it this weekend for you. Once the fluid is drained and those damned splash guards are gone it's about a 20 minute job.

Oh and order one of those Koyos IIRC the warehouse is out in Fontana so it should come pretty quick. http://goo.gl/HIzka <-That's the thread.

 

+1 for the Koyo and doing it yourself. It's pretty easy and the Koyos are quality. Hopefully better than the two OEMs that started leaking on me.

 

go to walmart, get a tool kit (stanley brand or some good brand), get the radiator, and do it. its easy

 

really easy, just tedious with the fluid flush that is so recommended, it should be mandatory.

 

Buy a Koyo from the GD section, pick up your own hoses for 25-40 bucks and find a shop that will charge you 1.5 hours tops for the install and you'll save atleast $100.

ORRRRR

Buy a Koyo from the GD section, pick up your own hoses for 25-40 bucks, buy some coolant, spend 20-30 bucks on a few tools, do it yourself and you'll save atleast $200.

 

I bought mine for 70 bucks on eBay and bought a 5 dollar toolkit from walmart and did it at ten o'clock at night in about 45 min with no jack stands.Hahaha

 

Preferably with a cold engine -

From bottom of car:

1 - remove splash shield under right front corner of engine (2 bolts and maybe 6 plastic clips). I HATE plastic clips.

2 - Place clean pan or bucket underneath corner of radiator.

3 - Remove drain plug from radiator and disconnect lower radiator hose.

4 - If automatic transmission, remove 2 oil cooler hoses from center area of radiator. A small amount of ATF oil will leak out, mostly from the radiator.

From top of car:

5 - Remove radiator cap.

6 - Remove overflow hose from radiator filler neck.

7 - Remove air intake scoop. Unbolt the Absolute Air Pressure sensor from scoop and if you have a 2000 or 2001, pull out (or unplug) the IAT sensor.

8 - Disconnect upper radiator hose.

9 - Lift up fans and move away from radiator.

10 - Unbolt the 2 radiator retaining clamps and remove radiator. You might want to tilt up the driver's side of the radiator to allow the radiator to drain fully before removing it.

 

didnt remove my splash shield...just saying

 

koyo radiator 120 bucks....install 100 bucks....total 220

 

if you were local i'd do it for you for under $200 including the radiator (no hoses)

 

It very easy... watch this and decide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd4F4Mj2sZI

Basically the same process for 5-5.5 gen maxima.

 

If you want to save some money. Go to your Regional Maxima Group and find some org member locally install it for you. Just give them a 6 pack for labor...

 

thanx for the info guys, ill probably just do it myself...

 

If you really want someone to do it for you contact Adrian. I'm sure he could take care of it for less then a shop would charge you for.

 

110$ from an auto parts store and some coolant. Easy job should take about less than an hour. I only took longer because the barb fitting for the tranny fluid line was missing in the first radiator box i bought.

 

Any specific tricks for burping the cooling system? I don't think Gen 5.0 has bleeder bolt, correct?

 

^no it doesnt...when i flushed my system i didnt bleed it..all was fine

 

Do you have the FSM? There is a specific procedure. I don't have access to it right now, but it involves specific tasks in a certain order. I did this last time I flushed my coolant and it worked very well.

 

When my original radiator developed several cracks in late 2009, I called for dealership quotes in eastern PA. None of them were under $500 for parts only. Like many here, I ended up spending about $125 shipped for an aftermarket radiator and installed with a friend's help.

 

I paid $200.00 in parts and install was free because I did it myself

 

As for disposing the old stuff, I have read in a few different places that it's ok to flush the old stuff down the toilet if you have a sewage treatment plant in your city.

 

what's so hard about two hoses if you manual and four hoses when you auto. change it yourself and feel accomplished

 

No I bought my own coolant and hoses didn't need to be changed. Btw it didn't take long at all it was done in like 30 mins and yea he probably did hook me up but I don't see how $470 can be justified

 

20 minute job..just remember when pulling the old radiator there are rubber like grommets on the bottom of the radiator,sometimes they stay on the car sometimes they come up with the radiator.. I dont think the new one will come with them. They will help keep the radiator still and absorb virbrations

 

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!

 

All I do is put the car on ramps and run the heat, switching between the various modes every 5 minutes or so. It bubbles to the top of the radiator, then through the small hose near the cap, then air bubbles up and is released through the reservoir tank.

 

just replaced mine at 94k. parts cost me $100 and it took me 20 minutes total. worst part for me was the harness that runs along the coolant fan assembly.

 

FYI: The fans and shroud don't need to be removed. Disconnect it from the radiator and lean it towards the engine a little. Just be careful as you're removing and installing the radiator.

 

i like to take a little extra time and move things out of the way. makes my life easier cause my bear paws sure do not.