I have a 2003 Maxima 3.5L with a 6 speed. Found out today the upper part to my radiator is starting to leak in the front, noticed this today when I saw a puff of white smoke over the front bumper at a stop light.


I'm looking for a New Radiator for a 6 speed manual trans. The only radiators that I've found are for automatic transmissions.


My question is: Is a radiator for an automatic transmission the same exact for a 6 speed manual or are they different radiators? I have to order one A.S.A.P.

 

I am not sure whether anybody makes two different radiators for our cars. However, should there be two different types, then the radiator for an AT Maxima will have an additional feature (cooling partition for the AT fluid) while the MT radiator will lack this this feature. The bottom line: you should be able to use an "AT" radiator on a "MT" Maxima, but not vice versa.

 

I think u can use an at radiator on a manual, Just like maxiiiboy said.

 

Yeah, the only difference is the trans fluid cooler in the bottom. The auto radiator will work fine. I've been running one for years.

The auto radiator will have two nipples at the bottom. Just leave them capped and install like you normally would.

 

I like to do things the right way.. Not the wrong way!
If the 6 speed Manual radiators came with no nipples at the bottom then the correct replacement would be one without the nipples for the trans cooler lines. I think if I put in a radiator that has nipples and just leave the caps on its asking for trouble... Eventually, in do time one of those caps could come off coolant would be everywhere leaving me stranded with a coolant leak. No one wants to be in that position, right guys?

When is comes to cars and reliability... It's always better to be safe than sorry!

 

That's not how it works. The coolant does not flow though the cooler lines. You won't have a leak, even if the cooler lines were left open.

 

No need to yell at me! I'm just trying to help. If you want to do it "right" go to Ni$$an and buy one from them.

What makes you think coolant will come out of the nipples? The trans cooler takes in ATF from the auto tranny and runs it through a small separate section of the radiator to cool it. It never mixes with the coolant. If it's not hooked up it's just an empty void. The nipples are really just there to keep crap out of it during shipping. Leave them on or take them off. It doesn't matter. No coolant will come out of them.

I've owned both of my Maximas for well over 10 years with over 500,000 miles between the two. They both run great and I've done all the work my self. I do know something about reliability.

 

That's all I really needed to know.. Thanks man.

 

Hey I wasn't yelling lol.. thanks for the more input. As long as nothing can leak out of them because no fluid is in that section I should be good. That's all I needed to know. Btw I searched and searched.. all the manual and auto radiators all look the same and come with the nipples plugged. Thanks again for the help bud! I'll order one from rock auto

 

No problems.

The reason they don't make a 6-speed version is there's no reason to. It would mean making and stocking a part that only works on a small number of cars instead of making one part for all of them. They should give a better explanation when they sell them though. I'm sure you're not the only one scratching their head over it.

Funny story. I recently put a starter in my car. I picked one up at the local AutoZone and brought it home. I got everything apart only to find that they gave me a starter for an auto. The guy was supposed to ask but just ASSumed it was an auto and clicked it in the computer. They ended up swapping it for a more expensive 6-speed starter they had in stock for my troubles.

 

you can follow my tutorial here if you need to replace your radiator.