Hello, new to the board. I'm the original owner of a 2009 Nissan Pathfinder with 28,500 original miles with the ZL11A radiator. I'm scheduled to bring in the truck to replace the radiator as cross contamination hasn't happened yet (thank goodness) and to avoid it all together. So I'm thinking instead of spending $600/$650 on a new radiator has anyone bypassed the radiator and connected the trans directly to an external trans cooler and can it be done? If so are there any pictures/videos in doing so. Your input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Welcome,
A bypass is a good method to eliminate the cross contamination defect. Here is a link to the main post, http://thenissanpath.com/viewtopic.php?t=2139

The bypass is a good method, and some members still have the bypass, but some members believe that replacing the radiator is better for long term where as the bypass is a short term. Some argue that you reduce the ability to regulate the transmission temp with the bypass but take that with a grain of salt because there is no proof or statement saying that's what the radiator cooler does.

Thank you! Will most likely go with the radiator replacement.

As a precaution I had the radiator replaced with a Spectra Premium (so the mechanic says) this weekend. Cost me $635.00. Hopefully she'll hold up a few more years. I'd post some pictures but don't know how.

Does anyone know how to tell what brand a radiator is?





2009 Pathfinder SE 4x4
28,550 miles

Pathfinder2009 wrote:As a precaution I had the radiator replaced with a Spectra Premium (so the mechanic says) this weekend. Cost me $635.00. Hopefully she'll hold up a few more years. I'd post some pictures but don't know how.

Does anyone know how to tell what brand a radiator is?

2009 Pathfinder SE 4x4
28,550 miles

try contacting Spectra to find out where they label their radiators

I just contacted Spectra and they stated that the label can be anywhere from the sides to the bottom. The label would be orange. Also, he sent me a sample label and it shows made in China. I thought they were manufactured in Canada so I asked him if that were true and he stated that they're not necessarily made in Canada but also manufactured in China and Mexico.




2009 Pathfinder SE 4x4
28,550 miles

Pathfinder2009 wrote:I just contacted Spectra and they stated that the label can be anywhere from the sides to the bottom. The label would be orange. Also, he sent me a sample label and it shows made in China. I thought they were manufactured in Canada so I asked him if that were true and he stated that they're not necessarily made in Canada but also manufactured in China and Mexico.




2009 Pathfinder SE 4x4
28,550 miles

well, at least the label is bright orange, shouldn't be too hard to find unless they stuck weatherstrip material over it when they installed the radiator.
do you not trust the mechanic?
what does the repair order receipt say?

It doesn't say what brand it is but he the mechanism did say it's a spectra. Checking all the parts stores near by they either carry spectra or carquest from advanced auto parts. I'm going to look around and see if I can find anything. Will post back if I stumble into something.


2009 Pathfinder Se 4X4
28,550 miles

Pathfinder2009 wrote:I just contacted Spectra and they stated that the label can be anywhere from the sides to the bottom. The label would be orange. Also, he sent me a sample label and it shows made in China. I thought they were manufactured in Canada so I asked him if that were true and he stated that they're not necessarily made in Canada but also manufactured in China and Mexico.




2009 Pathfinder SE 4x4
28,550 miles

Most aftermarket radiators are made in China or in that region of the world. That doesn't necessarily mean it's a poor quality part. The Spectra Premium rad has a good reputation and a two year warranty.