So, I ordered my Koyo radiator a couple of days ago from ImportRP. On my way home from Denver today, my OE radiator decided to take a crap on me while I was on the interstate.

I noticed the car shift weird while I was rolling in cruise control. So I turned off the c/c to see if it was going to continue acting up. A minute or so later, I noticed the temp gauge creeping up past the halfway point. I pulled over at the next exit and checked to see what was up. After sitting there for about a minute, the front side of the plastic cap started spewing coolant right across from the upper hose.

At least I'll be able to replace it the early part of next week.

 

How much you pay for the radiator?

 

Wow, a lot of members with messed up radiators lately..

 

$105 w/free shipping

I also bought both radiator hoses for good measure. I toyed with the idea of also replacing the thermostat. Decided against it when I read what all was involved in replacing it.

 

I noticed that, too. At least we know what the average length of the OE radiator is...

 

And that is.....how many miles you have?

 

I've got 175k miles on my car. But I was referring to the time frame.


Replaced the radiator today and loving the peace of mind having the Koyo.

 

My OE radiator has just cracked on my 4th gen at 249,000 miles. I've been soldering it closed on a day to day bases to hold it off until next week. I'll be purchasing a Mishimoto Radiator.

I debated on the Koyo but chose the Mishimoto because it's an all aluminum radiator. I'm done with plastic radiators. I've had to replace 3 plastic radiators in 3 different cars over the last 6 years. Although I've read good reviews on the Koyo I still don't want to deal with the plastic. Besides the aluminum top radiators look sweet when you look under the hood.

Does the Koyo seem to cool and preform better then the OE? Most people say the Mishimoto cools 3-4 ticks below the half way point on the temp gauge.

 

my OEM radiator went at about 120k miles...i had warning though, but i always check under my hood so i saw the beginning signs

 

My car is always a couple of ticks below the center mark. What mileage do they "normally" go at? I come from BMW's and those cars have disposable cooling systems. Best to replace everything every 90K miles. Reason for that is that they run higher cooling pressure and the under hood temps tend to be high. That along with plastic cooling parts tends to make them brittle. Is that a problem with our cars? If it is anybody think about using NPG waterless coolant?

 

i think they generally go around the low 100k mark...from 110-140k

 

Replacing the thermostat is actually not hard at on the maxima. You should do it not instead of later when it goes bad imo

 

i had my thermostat replaced when i had my water pump replaced along w/ a whole slew of stuff at 190k...maybe it was 200k...either way, my thermostat never 'went bad'

 

I've got a theory that the radiators will last a lot longer if we would start replacing the mounts when they wear out. Every time I change a radiator, the mount bushings are completely worn out. It would be awesome for people with cracked radiators to post pics of the mounts when they change the radiator.

My 3rd gen lasted 160k and my 4th lasted 170k. My 5th gen was cracked when I bought it at 120k.

 

where do you get the rubber grommets that go in the mounts? i'd replace mine i've been wanting to paint them black anyway

 

My radiator is on it's way and I hope to replace it this weekend. 139,000 miles for my 2000.

 

I tend to agree with you. Once I actually looked at my radiator when it started the minor leak, I noticed that the bushings in the upper mounts were WAY shot. I replaced them with the radiator.


I got mine from DAVEB. You could probably pick them up at your local dealership. They shouldn't be too expensive. I just went with DAVEB because I was already ordering another part from him and decided to add those on to the purchase.

 

thought they may have been parts store parts as well. thanks

 

Not that I could find. I wish someone made a urethane replacement for them. It seems like that would last longer.

 

probably not a money make for those companies unless its a universal fit for everyone

 

How much would a dealer charge for a replacement rubber grommet? $30.00 each? I hate stealerships. I might be stuck going there to get some when I swap my Mishimoto though. I don't want to use my old cracked up ones on my new radiator.

 

naw i'm going to bet about $10 for both...couldnt be more than that

 

I'll look into it today and let you know.

 

That's probably about right.

 

I got it.

$2.74 each. You'd be surprised how cheap some items are at the dealership. The lesson here? Always check first.

 

My radiator and thermostat are still decent at 245k(car cools right at about half), but you guys really make me feel as though I should go ahead and put'em to rest...

 

You wouldn't happen to have a part number would you? Or did you just call up and tell them you want the bushings for a radiator. Just wondering because I do not trust my local Nissan dealer and want to interact with them as little as possible.

Or if someone knows a database where I could look up the part number on my own so I don't have to keep asking these stupid questions that would be great!

 

Ask and you shall receive. Mounting rubber-radiator, upper: 21506 51E00

PS: It would be nice if the FSM links and this link were in the stickies.

 

Well hell, aren't you just freakin awesome! Not only the part number but the link so I won't have to ask these stupid questions again.

THANKS!

 

As a matter of fact, I am.

...One of the benefits of being a long-time member. I get to help others by giving them information someone previously gave to me. You're welcome!

 

Well my local dealer only had one and they had the nerve to charge me $3.34.

 

The Calsonic radiator in my car looked like it was replaced when I bought it. Looks like I'm good to go for a while

After Googling the Mishimoto radiator, I could only find for the Maxima 95-99 and 04-08... No 5th gen?