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-   -   This can't be good can it? (https://maxima.org/forums/5th-generation-maxima-2000-2003/649178-cant-good-can.html)

Xpcgamer May 1, 2012 01:17 PM

This can't be good can it?
 
This afternoon I smelled something all to familiar to me (Thanks to my old e39:D), kinda sweet smelling. I finished my afternoon rounds of picking up the girls got home and popped the hood.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...r/IMAG0208.jpg

Where do you think it popped? I am waiting for it to cool off. It looks like its coming out of the top half.

I love these cars. Temp gauge never freaking budged. I got to limp it to the shop tomorrow and park it. Just ordered a new Koyo from Importrp. Should have it Friday. I'll also install a new upper and lower radiator hose and fresh fluid. I'll add a bottle of Water Wetter for craps and giggles. Good thing I didn't drive to Disney this weekend. I rented a Van. I was in a traffic jam for 2 hours:eek:!

bgsl1ck May 1, 2012 01:28 PM

Coolant leak somewhere I would check the radiator first they are known for leaking arount the plastic....

tcaughey May 1, 2012 01:33 PM

Looks EXACTLY like mine (minus the 3.5...). I'll be throwing in a new Koyo radiator in next week. :)

cjandura May 1, 2012 01:38 PM

its cracked in the same place they all crack group deal section $109

TunerMaxima3000 May 1, 2012 02:01 PM


Originally Posted by cjandura (Post 8459322)
its cracked in the same place they all crack group deal section $109

:sprint:

Top tank on the rad. Whole thing needs to be replaced.

RR5 May 1, 2012 02:33 PM

I had the same thing. The top part of the OEM radiator is a plastic piece which is cramped onto the aluminum radiator tank. That part blew and sprayed coolant from the radiator toward the firewall.

I dropped in a new radiator about two years ago. Still cannot figure out why it happened in the first place.

Xpcgamer May 1, 2012 02:39 PM

Car cooled enough for me to check. Yep, right where everybody else's crap sprung a leak. Right under the Nissan OEM stamp on the right hand side.
Group Deal on the Koyo Rad is now 105 shipped. Should have it by Friday. Should I worry about the changing the thermostat? BTW the radiator has been replaced before. Build date on the radiator is 2008. I thought I saw a receipt for a new radiator in my records:).

cjandura May 1, 2012 02:41 PM


Originally Posted by Xpcgamer (Post 8459400)
Car cooled enough for me to check. Yep, right where everybody else's crap sprung a leak. Right under the Nissan OEM stamp on the right hand side.
Group Deal on the Koyo Rad is now 105 shipped. Should have it by Friday. Should I worry about the changing the thermostat? BTW the radiator has been replaced before. Build date on the radiator is 2008. I thought I saw a receipt for a new radiator in my records:).

must of been old stock new oe ones are not finger crimped anymore full lip seal all the way around

Xpcgamer May 2, 2012 05:19 PM

Just pick up OEM thermostat and gasket. Need to pick up two hoses and I will take of this Saturday.

nissandrvr98 May 3, 2012 08:51 AM

yep...thats happened to both of my current max's now. new rad, hoses and some coolant.
IIRC i did the 01 back near thanksgiving '11 and the koyo was like $115 shipped.

grab a buddy and a case of miller and make an afternoon of it!

merovi May 3, 2012 08:59 AM

ya it's not a hard install at all. get a few buckets for catching any fluid when removing it to not make too much of a mess.

djshwini May 3, 2012 09:20 AM


Originally Posted by Xpcgamer (Post 8459300)

Might want to replace your upper radiator bracket bushings while you are at it. Just a thought

djfrestyl May 3, 2012 12:48 PM


Originally Posted by djshwini (Post 8461864)
Might want to replace your upper radiator bracket bushings while you are at it. Just a thought

Srsly? They look fine.

TunerMaxima3000 May 3, 2012 01:32 PM

look worn to me.

Xpcgamer May 3, 2012 01:42 PM


Originally Posted by djfrestyl (Post 8462141)
Srsly? They look fine.

They are 2 months old. I got screwed and paid 8 bucks a piece for them since my normal parts guy was out that day. Have to pick up the hoses tomorrow the dealer did not have them.

nelledge May 3, 2012 05:48 PM


Originally Posted by djshwini (Post 8461864)
Might want to replace your upper radiator bracket bushings while you are at it. Just a thought


Originally Posted by TunerMaxima3000 (Post 8462219)
look worn to me.

These.


Originally Posted by djfrestyl (Post 8462141)
Srsly? They look fine.


Originally Posted by Xpcgamer (Post 8462240)
They are 2 months old. I got screwed and paid 8 bucks a piece for them since my normal parts guy was out that day. Have to pick up the hoses tomorrow the dealer did not have them.

The brackets do, but I think djshwini said the bushing in the bracket. There is no way that bushing is two months old. It has some miles on it. When those bushings get worn like that it allows the radiator to be subjected to abrupt impulses which will end up having an adverse effect on old plastic core radiator.

TunerMaxima3000 May 3, 2012 06:31 PM


Originally Posted by nelledge (Post 8462632)
When those bushings get worn like that it allows the radiator to be subjected to abrupt impulses which will end up having an adverse effect on old plastic core radiator.

More specifically, the top tank, which oddly enough, is what's busted on the rad you have right now :thumbsup:

RA121625 May 3, 2012 07:31 PM

Debating whether on doing the same fix to my car, it only leaks up until the crack and then its fine. The coolant level is always technically low but it never overheats, I figure I'll get it done eventually but its no big deal for now.

nelledge May 3, 2012 08:58 PM


Originally Posted by Tyutyunnik (Post 8462741)
Debating whether on doing the same fix to my car, it only leaks up until the crack and then its fine. The coolant level is always technically low but it never overheats, I figure I'll get it done eventually but its no big deal for now.

100 bucks and 30 minutes of your time for peace of mind >>> stranded on the side of the road in BFE with no cell signal when the crack reaches catastrophic failure

Meh... Your call.

DennisMik May 3, 2012 09:30 PM


Originally Posted by nelledge (Post 8462850)
100 bucks and 30 minutes of your time for peace of mind >>> stranded on the side of the road in BFE with no cell signal when the crack reaches catastrophic failure

Meh... Your call.

:lol:

Xpcgamer May 4, 2012 03:48 AM

Get it replace. They look like that cause I have foam between the front support and the radiator. I have tried to seal the sides and top of the radiator. I even ordered the 2 plastic covers that go on the sides of the shroud. Mine where missing. I am sure when the fans got replaced they did not install them again.

Xpcgamer May 4, 2012 01:35 PM

Raddy is in along with new upper rubber mounts( screw it they where cheap), thermostat, upper and lower hose's.
Koyo Radiator-105.00
Upper and Lower hoses (OEM) 49.00
Thermostat and Gasket (OEM) 29.00
Upper rubber mounts (OEM) 4.00
2 Gallons of Prestone 50\50 13.99 x 2


Total-214.98

djfrestyl May 4, 2012 01:46 PM

^^ Sounds like a fun 1-2 hours this weekend :)

Xpcgamer May 4, 2012 02:08 PM

Afternoon:) Just finished around 2PM. Now my weekend is free to clean out all the old coolant spray spots.

RR5 May 7, 2012 03:36 PM


Originally Posted by Xpcgamer (Post 8463724)
Afternoon:) Just finished around 2PM. Now my weekend is free to clean out all the old coolant spray spots.

Those coin wash bays with the high pressure sprayers make short work of that. Also helpful is some mild degreaser, such as simple green. Spray water under the hood then hit it with some simple green and wash it off. You can even hit the engine bay with the clear coat protectant, helps make the plastic shine :D

Xpcgamer May 8, 2012 10:49 AM

BTW guys. The OEM radiator has what I counted as 80 rows and the Koyo has 100 rows.

phatboislim May 8, 2012 10:52 AM


Originally Posted by TunerMaxima3000 (Post 8462219)
look worn to me.

looks brand new to me :o


Originally Posted by djfrestyl (Post 8463702)
^^ Sounds like a fun 1-2 hours this weekend :)

i swear it didnt take me close to this long to do mine...30 mins top from opening the hood to test driving it

NmexMAX May 8, 2012 10:57 AM


Originally Posted by phatboislim (Post 8467039)
looks brand new to me :o



i swear it didnt take me close to this long to do mine...30 mins top from opening the hood to test driving it

Thermostat and all?

phatboislim May 8, 2012 11:00 AM

naw just the radiator :hide:

:mrgone:

djfrestyl May 8, 2012 11:22 AM

Ah, there's the rub.

T-stat, rad and burping the system on ramps takes me about an hour and 15.

phatboislim May 8, 2012 12:05 PM


Originally Posted by djfrestyl (Post 8467072)
Ah, there's the rub.

T-stat, rad and burping the system on ramps takes me about an hour and 15.

never touched the thermostat in that car until about 200k when the water pump was leaking, and i had everything else in my cooling system taken car of...hoses, flushed system, water pump and t-stat...til this day i still dont know the location of the thermostat on a 4/5th gen :laugh: :o

djfrestyl May 8, 2012 12:34 PM

Hint - it's at the *other* end of one of the radiator hoses...

phatboislim May 8, 2012 12:43 PM

hey you got one more time to sass me :lol:


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