radiator replacement help!
InnerDragon103
07-11-2005, 11:43 PM
hey all, just bought a 94 altima gxe.. dead a/c, one window doesnt work, and clutch is HELL to learn, but i LOOVE it! anyhow, the major problem is my radiator has a leak, the entire seam at the top by the cap! so! i have to replace the radiator.. however goodyear says $500!!! no way! im buying a radiator off ebay, lot cheaper than what they want, and im going to install it myself since its a bolt on procedure... but im NEW, and i really really dont know the procedure.. can someone be so kind as to walk me through? ive searched for similar posts and found no walk throughs for it... can someone help me? thank you!
JustSayGo
07-12-2005, 02:26 AM
Before you dissasemble, inspect the upper and lower radiator hoses. If they are 13 years old buy new hoses and clamps. Now is the time to flush the cooling system. Buy a can of cooling system flush and follow the directions. Stick a garden hose in the overflow reservoir and clean it out. Disconnect the negative battery cable so you won't accidently deploy the air bags. Drain the coolant and dispose of it properly. Remove the radiator hoses at the radiator. Remove the two brackets on top that hold the radiator in place. Disconnect the coolant reservoir from the radiator. Unplug the cooling fan motors and remove the radiator. Lay the new radiator on the box that it came in and switch the cooling fan assembly over to the new radiator. Check that the new drain plug is closed. Being careful not to damage the new radiator put it back into the lower mounts. Be sure and connect the cooling fan wire connectors. Put the top brackets back on. Connect the hoses with new clamps. Bolt the reservoir to the radiator. Refill the cooling system with antifreeze so that you have a 50/50 mix with the small amount of water left in the engine and heater core. Clean and connect the battery cable. Start the engine and warm it up. Top off the radiator and put a new cap on it. Fill the overflow reservoir half full and check each hose connection for leaks. Check the temp gauge before and during a short test drive and recheck for coolant leaks. If you recheck the hose clamps after a few days you will probably find they need to be tightened a little because they have compressed the hose.
InnerDragon103
07-12-2005, 09:25 AM
Thank you very much, you are by far one of the most experienced altima users on this forum. If you dont mind my asking, what are you working as? I'm an aspiring mechanical engineer, just finished my first year in college and heading back in august!
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2026
