I recently discovered my rad is leaking. Upon searching for a new rad I have seen prices ranging from $77 to $200. I want be the cheapest one I see but I dont want quality to be an issue, so does u get what you pay for apply with rads? If any member has brought a cheap rad tell me if you were satisfied with that purchase.

 

Group deal section Koyo Rad great price and fast shipping.

 

Mine was leaking too but I bought one on ebay for like 60 and good as ever

 

I went with this one. Cheap and trouble-free.

 

Nothing really that can go wrong since there's no moving parts in them so I'd go with the cheapest. If it leaks out of the box then its usually just covered under warranty anyways.

 

I don't think that came out the way you wanted it. If nothing can really go wrong with it, why does anyone ever have to replace their radiator?

 

Get the Koyo rad out of the group deal section. Great price and great radiator.

 

I would look into the Koyo like the other guys mentioned.

 

just got my Koyo 2 weeks ago, looking forward for installing it

 

I bought a cheap OEM replacement from Ebay for $80 shipped. I've had it now for 2 years with no problems.

 

I picked up a koyo out of the group buy section about 2 months ago. $106 shipped was a good price. Came quickly and installed without any trouble.

 

Just use the cheapie ebay ones and DIY it. Probably the simplest thing to do on a max .. takes half an hour to do with minimum effort. Had mine for over a year with no problems .. definitely paid less than $70 for it.

 

Koyo or ebay??? Ive got time to decide on which rad im going to buy. Quick ?, do i have to keep air out of the system, if so how do i do this? The write up I saw was very detailed but did not mention this at all. Someone mentioned burping the system this is the only reason Im asking. What is the best way to keep the AT fluid from leaking after I disconnect the hoses. In the write he said he used rubber bands to hold the hoses folded so the fluid couldnt leak out, does anyone a different way they did this.

 

Are the radiators different for manual vs. automatic transmission?

 

No. There will be attachment nipples at the bottom for the automatic transmission cooler lines, but you just ignore them if it's going into a manual car. You can cap or crimp them off.

 

OK Thanks!

 

Koyo radiator FTW, I got mine around $100.

 

I was quoted $519 at Nissan for a rad and 3 days to ship it.... $110 at advance auto parts and they have it in stock... Are Nissan parts made of gold/platinium

 

Koyo is the general 'favorite' for most .Org members. I went with Koyo on my last '03 and never had an issue after install.

 

Just get the Koyo, it has good reviews and save you $$. I would also recommend flush the coolant and change to Toyota Red.

 

My radiator is leaking and I had the same question as the OP. Prices vary so widely. What is considered the best material for a radiator? Plastic, copper, aluminum, etc.? And what is the Koyo for an 03 Max made of? The Koyo thread sells the 03 radiator for $106 but this site sells it for $80 shipped. Are they the same radiators? Also, the Koyo thread says the part # is NIS069142 but the Koyo website says its part # A2329. So which is the right part? Assuming they are the same radiator.

 

I won't answer your question but, make sure you buy the correct radiator that matches your transmission. The one for auto trans and manual trans are slightly different... I found it the hard way...

 

The Koyo radiaror that you get through the group buy is the same construction as the Nissan radiator, aluminum core and plastic tanks. I would think that Koyo might make different model radiators which could add to the confusion, but the different part numbers may be that the group buy company is using their own part number, not Koyo's.

The difference between a radiator for an auto trans vs manual trans is that the auto trans version needs a trans oil cooler built into the bottom tank. If you get and auto trans radiator and have a manual trans, you don't have any lines to hook up to the oil cooler

 

I ended up getting a "ready-rad" radiator from Advance Auto. Didn't have time to wait for the Koyo to be shipped. Online price was $110.99 and I was able to buy online and use a coupon for $30 savings with in-store pickup. I just dropped it off at the shop to have them put it in. The radiator comes with a limited lifetime warranty...whatever that's good for. The bad thing though, about buying your own parts is that the mechanic said should the radiator go bad again, he would have to charge labor to remove it where as if he put in his own part, it would be covered under their warranty (all inclusive).

 

Well you could just do it yourself. There are step by step instructions with pictures even! Does not take long at all.

 

Too late, its already at the shop. I didn't know it came with instructions. Didn't even open the box.

 

Eh this site has instructions. Saved me tons of money over the years.

 

def should of done it yourself. all you need is a drain pan, some pliers and patience. curious to know what a shop charges. post back please

 

On a separate but related note, is antifreeze suppose to get low over time? Assuming everything is in good order, no leaks, etc. One should never really have to "top off" antifreeze, right?

 

No