I'm not sure if its an original radiator or not, it has a sticker that has a japanease symbol on it and a "Lifetime warrenty" sticker on it so I don't think it is.

But any way the problem started when I replaced the starter. I was going to take the radiator out and flush it but I didn't want to go buy more coolant and bleed the system. I got as far taking one screw out of the E-fans and then finished replacing the starter.

Then I was driving today when all of a sudden theres steam from under the hood, and how and behold, where the screw went into the radiator, isn't sealed. So it was puking fluid every where. I had left it out since I dropped it in mud and couldn't find it....didn't think much of it. I mean who would have thought the radiator would have a big hole like that?

I wouldn't think nissan or even a cheap radiator maker would leave three gaping holes in the top of the radiator like that (one for each of the top E-fan mounting points)

I'll look at the actual hole when its not FAC (freezing **** cold) and get some pics.

~Alex

 

I just replaced my radiator and it has little square bracket ends on the radiator for the fans to mount to. I wonder if someone used a screw too long and punctured a hole in the radiator.

 

1-800-Radiator ftw, get cryomax..they're decent radiators. Plastic covers/aluminum OEM style

 

alex - you get what you pay for.

 

I had a crap radiator like that when I first bought the car. exact same physical description, exact same screw issue.
the first time it sprung a leak like that, I dried out the hole and pumped some RTV in it and put the screw back in.
the second time, I sucked it up ang bought an OEM radiator.

 

I bought one of the $30 plastic top radiators from ebay recently and was VERY surprised by the quality. It does have a plastic top (Which in my case, my OEM was a plastic top) but it doesn't have the radiator fan hole issue. All mounting points were exact and it felt pretty solid. I've been pretty happy with it and it only costs $60 shipped.

 

my advanced auto radiator has given me no problems after i had to replace my original radiator. my new one is plastic top and physically identical to the OE as far as i can tell, except the drain **** is easier to use.

 

It was free with the car

I'm glad I'm not the only one with the issue. Weird how it never leaked before, I wouldn't think those screws would seal to well with out a crush washer. I have a oem rad I pulled from the junkyard so if it does it again I can replace it.

~Alex

 

put some thread sealer on the screws and they'll seal fine

 

Yea I was thinking about that, but the other screws don't leak ever and they never had any. Weird. I'll go double check it but it shouldn't be a problem now.

~Alex