Radiator Replacement(s)

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danecamus
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Radiator Replacement(s)

Postby danecamus » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:56 am

To anyone out there,
I own since new an automatic R50 (2004), it's been serviced regularly at the Nissan dealer it was purchased from, and has just clocked 40.000 kms. (25.000 miles), however as I write it's having its third (#3) replacement radiator installed! Belive it or not, with just over 4 years old it will be wearing radiator number 4 all original Calsonic Kansei ones, and in every opportunity driving conditions have been very different from each other; the last one a few days ago happened while stopped at a red light at 9AM on a coolish morning without passengers or cargo. Truth be said, other than this annoying and expensive problem, I love my Pathfinder in every way, but regretfully its costing me a bundle, I am afraid to drive it anywhere and the dealer other than replace the radiator is unable to fix the problem, so unless someone is able to shine some light on what is causing all of this, I'll have no more remedy but to sell it which if you think about it is ludicrous. After the warranty expired the dealer left me hight and dry; I have tried to reach Nissan Japan to let them know of my troubles but I have been unsuccessful in getting through and with Nissan Mexico which is headquarters to Latin America (Chile) same thing.
I look forward to hearing from anyone with ideas. Thanks.


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blink32
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Postby blink32 » Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:28 am

Welcome to the forum.

You didn't really say what the actual diagnosis was, just that you are now on your 3rd radiator in 40k km's. Some of us can probably give you some ideas on what is going on but there are a few other forums out there that have a much larger population of R50 and WD21 Model Pathfinders. Not trying to get rid of you, just trying to steer you to the most information.

Check these places out: http://www.nissanhelp.com
http://www.nissan4wheelers.com
http://www.nissanoffroad.net
http://www.noas4x4club.com

Feel free to post more info on your problem or a resolution if you find one.

danecamus
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Radiator Replacement(s) - Trouble.

Postby danecamus » Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:41 am

Regretfully there is no diagnosis on the problem, they've been un able to determine what's causing this situation since it occurs during very varied driving conditions and the coolant used has always been the Nissan one. My guess is that with the prior radiators they just attributed it to material fatigue or something of that nature and replaced them, but when you're about to install radiator #4 in 40.000Kms/25.000Miles then there's got to be somehting else very wrong but what it is, is still the question.

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blink32
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Postby blink32 » Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:10 am

I guess what I meant was, Why was it replaced? Was it a leak? Did you experience over-heating? What caused you to have the radiator replaced?

danecamus
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Nissan Pathfinder R50 Radiator Replacement(s) - Persisting T

Postby danecamus » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:31 am

In all instances, the radiator developed a leak at the very botton where the plastic meets the metal (aluminum) portion which I believe is for the automatic gear box; in other words it simply blew a hole or crack (fissure) where both materials are joined. All of the Nissan coolant went out throught it and I only noticed this because of the boiling noise/rumble it made, the heat gauge stuck on H or in one opportunity because the cruise control desengaged on its own while doing 120km/hr or 75miles/hr.

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blink32
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Postby blink32 » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:42 pm

Hmm, I have no expertise in the R50's in this area. I have done other work on them but nothing like that. Sounds like the plastic side tanks are separating from the aluminum core. Odd. If I were you I would check out my radiator mounts to make sure the rubber is still there and soft or if it has cracked and fallen away. Engine/trans mounts (if applicable) would also be a point to look at. I guess I could see excessive engine movement transmitting to the radiator.

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Postby Gray » Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:57 pm

If it was my truck and I was expecting that the current dealership installed OEM radiator might fall apart I would be looking into what solid metal aftermarket radiators might be available locally rather than reinstalling the plastic/metal Nissan one. Nissan shops are typically great at changing out OEM parts and charging dealership rates to do so, but often no so good at finding and resolving vehicle problems such as an overpressured coolant system, defective thermostat, vehicle front end vibrations leading to radiator failure, etc. Talking to local specialist radiator shops about the problem might help find a solution. Maybe not so true in North America but in some parts of the world not everything that comes in an OEM box is always original equipment.

Koyo Radiators may make a solid aluminum dropin rad for various PF's as they are getting more involved in offroad racing rads;

http://www.koyorad.com/products.html

.
Last edited by Gray on Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.

danecamus
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Postby danecamus » Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:26 pm

Thanks for the advise.
I'll have them check the rubber mounts and see if there's anything there.
Someone recently mentioned to me the possibility that the problem might lie in the cap, not releasing enough pressure and making the radiator blow at the seems. Checking at the invoices, never have I been billed for a new cap, thus I assume its been the same old one to go on every new radiator put in.
Regretfully I'm a sucker for OEM parts; on the other hand I don't think local radiator shops here can handle anything other than your basic type and since this vehicle has the automatic transmission cooled through the radiator it might just prove to be too much of a challenge, but I'll nonetheless check.

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blink32
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Postby blink32 » Mon Mar 31, 2008 4:48 pm

I see you posted over at NissanHelp.com and got the information about the cap. Good luck on your quest to fix it up.


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