What I thought was a coolant problem...was a coolant problem

Harley Edition Titan · 10-16-2006, 05:09 PM

well took it into Nissan this afternoon....yeah radiator is busted it has a crack in the bottom of it that has leaked a lil fluid. Thank the dear Lord I have an extended warranty because since I have 72k on my truck it would have cost near $600 also the dealer finally found the rear axle seal leak I told them about last time I was in there (but they didn't seem to find)...so all in all I have a loaner car and my truck in in the shop for a lil bit, kinda sucks but that means I get an excuse to ride the motorcycle more :-D

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 10-16-2006, 06:47 PM

Very surprising. Glad it all worked out for ya.

MississippiTitan · 10-16-2006, 07:07 PM

I smell a faint smell of coolant from time to time when I get out of my truck but cant seem to find the leak.

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 10-16-2006, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MississippiTitan

I smell a faint smell of coolant from time to time when I get out of my truck but cant seem to find the leak.

I've had that since new. I notice it especially after towing. It's been to the dealer and the radiator has been pressure tested twice. They don't find anything wrong.

**konigfritz** · 10-16-2006, 08:08 PM

^^ME too! Heck my cherokee has had it since new too and it has 110K on it.

The titan usually does it when it's hot out.

titanmike · 10-16-2006, 08:14 PM

i also had the faint smell of antifreeze when i towed the dump trailer to the dump last week. It weighed 9000 pounds on that trip. No leaking to see though.

miketan · 10-16-2006, 08:21 PM

Same here, but only on hot days. Since it's been in the 60's/70's the past couple of days, I haven't noticed any coolant smells coming from the engine compartment like I usually do.

I wonder what causes these radiators to crack though. A few people here have had that same problem. Maybe the assembly-line workers are banging them around when they install them into the trucks at the factory or something.

**gadget74** · 10-17-2006, 08:35 AM

my dodge did that, so don't think it's just a nissan problem

sudden urge · 10-17-2006, 08:48 AM

I'll bet his radiator was down at least 3-6 quarts or more. Now how can one not notice something like that? The heater core would still get plenty of fluid to produce heat if it was down only a quart or two.

Dorsey · 10-17-2006, 09:09 AM

I predict that radiator leaks will be a popular posting topic over the next few years. The plastic radiators in most late model cars are a mixed blessing. After about 70k -80k miles of heat cycling they become brittle and crack - the good part is that they are usually inexpensive to replace (at least with aftermarket parts).

markislive78 · 10-17-2006, 12:02 PM

My radiator just busted last week after 37,000 miles ....900 bucks with labor out of warranty by 1,000 miles...the radiator alone is 600 bucks

Yellomantis · 10-17-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miketan

Same here, but only on hot days. Since it's been in the 60's/70's the past couple of days, I haven't noticed any coolant smells coming from the engine compartment like I usually do.

I wonder what causes these radiators to crack though. A few people here have had that same problem. Maybe the assembly-line workers are banging them around when they install them into the trucks at the factory or something.

They are cracking now days because of cheaper materials. The plastic end caps are constantly cracking. When my radiators go bad, I just have my radiator shop braise brass end caps to replace the plastics. No problems after its done.

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 10-17-2006, 07:17 PM

I can't be sure but my guess is that they are leaking...ever so slightly, but on the metal fins themseves. Then the tiny coolant amout just evaporates from the hot fins. Most wouldn't notice a few tablespoons of coolant loss over time. Just a thought.

**goathead** · 10-17-2006, 08:14 PM

had mine replaced a few weeks ago. noticed some dried antifreeze on the bottom of radiator when changing oil.-->new radiator....then they reused a cheap spring clamp and it leaked tranny fluid all over my truck. pita....

batmanntexas · 01-04-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markislive78

My radiator just busted last week after 37,000 miles ....900 bucks with labor out of warranty by 1,000 miles...the radiator alone is 600 bucks

according to my local dealer, the radiator in the titan is supposed to have a lifetime warranty from the manufacture. It is an outsourced part for nissan. Maybe worth checking out, get $600 back.

What I thought was a coolant problem...was a coolant problem - being discussed at Nissan Titan Forums in the Titan General Discussion section.