Anyone proactively replace radiator?

C

CBRworm

Member
Car
2012 FX50S
As I approach 200K on my '06 FX45, I wonder about the things that will lead to its demise. One of the things I have heard over the years is obviously the risk of radiator/hose failure causing overheating. I replaced all the hoses about 5 years ago. The other thing I hear about less frequently is the in radiator transmission cooler leaking and ruining the transmission. I have been considering replacing the radiator and water pump at my next coolant change - which will be in the next few months. I would kick myself if I didn't do it and incurred a $5K bill because of it, but at the same time, I could get a radiator that is defective and end up with the same result.

Anyone do this proactively? If so, any particular radiator that seems to be better than the others? I'm looking at Denso and possibly Spectra Premium.

Thanks!
 
The coolant/transmission fluid cocktail tends to be, by and large, a Nissan truck and mini-van issue. A mod on here had this issue with his FX35 which necessitated a transmission rebuild iirc. The coolant corrodes the valve body or something like that.
My rad had a pin-hole leak at the filler neck just below the cap. Less than 100k on it.
radiator.JPG
 
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I will guess no to many people think that far a head. If you keep your coolant change regular,
it shooed be OK. When coolant get to old, that is when it happens it get acidic and eats it up.
You can also keep an eye on the coolant for trans fluid.
 
It's a crapshoot. My fluids were changed more than regular. It's a common problem on the Xterra, much smaller percentage on FX, but can happen. Transmission cooler comes highly suggested by me, not just for the better cooling, but for the bypass of the stock cooler which runs with the engine radiator. Adding external will completely take the cooler lines away from any & all coolant. 35 & 45 share the same basic design. When coolant gets with the oil, the transmission will wear out its clutch packs. Rebuild required at that point. Has not to do with proper fluid change intervals as I am witness. This is a great preventative mod.

gto's FX :: 2005 FX 35 RWD SPRT
 
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Hey that is great,you will not have to weary no more.
Is that going to be sufficient cooling, how much extra fluid.
 
I actually just replaced my radiator about a week ago, my FX45 is at just over 209,000 miles. Radiator was leaking a little, couldn’t really see exactly from where but could definitely smell it and my FX was running at a higher temperature than normal. Looked up the radiator on a few different auto parts stores sites but ended up buying it on Amazon for $67 (A Denso radiator). If it’s not leaking I guess you don’t have to change it but if you can get it for cheap you might as well for peace of mind.
 
I ended up doing the radiator and the water pump, both of the OE parts looked good and showed no signs of impending doom - but often, they just fail after so many years. I got a Hitachi WP and a Denso radiator from Rock auto that was thicker than OEM - although it had the same part number. I had to slot and then fill the lower mounts to move the rad back about 5 mm to clear plastic tabs that were pressing into the radiator during the test fit. I have probably put 5K on it so far and all is well. I also changed the ATF and all coolant. Since I was doing that, I did the front and rear diff oil and transfer case ATF. Might as well get it all out of the way for another 60K or so.
 

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