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Old 03-02-2017 | 02:23 PM
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Albert Eric Santiago's Avatar
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What is THIS?

Just bought my Maxi. Previous owner was a little hard on it and slipped on maintaining, anyway...

I was trying to clean up some parts in my engine to diagnose a transmission fluid leak location (Keeps puddling up under the radiator area and only when the engine is left running but that's another story) and make sure there's no oil leaking.

I removed the part that goes to the airbox from the front above the radiator on the driver side and noticed this J shaped tubing just hanging there. Is this supposed to be connected to something? I searched for pics of other engine bays to see if they have similar stuff but couldn't find anything.



Mystery Tube
Old 03-02-2017 | 05:34 PM
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That little short j tube, that's a "breather". I seen it on mine. that's normal. but if you're getting puddle of ATF around the radiator then your two hoses that goes into the radiator is a cooler hose, they could be swelled or cracking, you should replace.
Old 03-02-2017 | 05:58 PM
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Albert Eric Santiago's Avatar
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Thank you @FanaticMadMax!!!

I'm pretty new to cars. BRAND new to this Maxima, I'll look into the cooler hose. I read something about that while researching it. Couldn't find any info on this exact model vehicle though.

I was nervous about the little hose because the vehicle was clearly in a front end accident before I got it judging by the off colored bumper, unpainted misaligned hood, and oddly shaped fender.

Thank you again.
Old 03-03-2017 | 04:05 AM
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Originally Posted by FanaticMadMax
That little short j tube, that's a "breather"..
Plus 1. Agree
Old 03-03-2017 | 06:18 AM
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Originally Posted by FanaticMadMax
That little short j tube, that's a "breather". I seen it on mine. that's normal. but if you're getting puddle of ATF around the radiator then your two hoses that goes into the radiator is a cooler hose, they could be swelled or cracking, you should replace.
Could the cooler hoses cause my transmission to act funny?
Old 03-03-2017 | 07:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Albert Eric Santiago
Could the cooler hoses cause my transmission to act funny?
I you mean that they leak and you have a low level of fluid in the transmission, yes.
Old 03-03-2017 | 08:48 AM
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That's definitely a breather. It should be sticking up though not hanging down. I'd reroute it so its sticking up with the opening pointed down. like a candy cane.

If you're leaking ATF under the radiator it's most likely the lines to the cooler. The cooler is built into the radiator with two nipples coming out of the bottom on either side. It pumps ATF into a small section of the radiator to cool it. As FanaticMadMax said, check the rubber lines. Also check the fluid. If it's been leaking it will be low.
Old 03-03-2017 | 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Derrick2k2SE
That's definitely a breather. It should be sticking up though not hanging down. I'd reroute it so its sticking up with the opening pointed down. like a candy cane.
I'll fix it then.

Originally Posted by Derrick2k2SE
If you're leaking ATF under the radiator it's most likely the lines to the cooler. The cooler is built into the radiator with two nipples coming out of the bottom on either side. It pumps ATF into a small section of the radiator to cool it. As FanaticMadMax said, check the rubber lines. Also check the fluid. If it's been leaking it will be low.
It was low a couple of days ago but I put some in it. What made me check it was it acting a little funny in the first place. From what I've been reading, the symptoms seem similar to a bad transmission ground.




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