How to Replace a Nissan Altima Radiator

The Nissan Altima is a mid-size automobile manufactured by Nissan. The Nissan Altima is available in North America as well as other markets and it larger and more powerful and more luxurious than the Nissan Sentra but less than the Nissan Maxima. The very first Altima rolled off the assembly line on June 15, 1992, as a 1993 model.

The Nissan Altima is a popular and economic mid-size car that has been a top choice of consumers since its introduction in 1993. Due to the fact that it provides more room, more power and more amenities than its competitors, the Nissan Altima continues to gain top reviews from consumers.

There are many issues that can cause your Nissan Altima radiator to fail. Some of the most common radiator problems range from a cracked or leaky radiator, to a build-up on your radiator caused from infrequent cleaning or flushing. These situations can quickly grow into larger problems for your cooling system and your engine. With a bit of mechanical knowledge and skill, you can easily replace the car radiator on your Nissan Altima. The purpose of the radiator in your Nissan Altima is to keep the engine from overheating. If the radiator is damaged or worn out, you must replace it to prevent expensive engine damage.

Here are the steps that you can follow to successfully replace your Nissan Altima radiator. First, loosen the plug on the bottom of the radiator and drain the engine coolant into a resealable container. If your Nissan Altima is equipped with an automatic transmission, disconnect the cooler hoses and plug them to prevent leaks. Disconnect the negative battery cable, unhook the fresh air duct and continue taking off the upper radiator hose and the lower radiator hose. Inspect the radiator hoses for signs of wear and replace the hoses if you see visible bulging or cracks.

Remove the air conditioner condenser and radiator core. Pull the radiator out of the vehicle and unhook the fan assembly and attach it to the new radiator. Install the new radiator, with fan assembly, into the vehicle. Install the new radiator into the vehicle. If applicable, reinstall the air conditioner condenser, radiator core and automatic transmission cooler hose.

Finally, replace the upper and lower radiator hoses and reconnect the negative battery cable. Make sure to fill the radiator with a mixture of antifreeze and distilled water. Attach the radiator cap somewhat loosely and start the engine. Let the engine run for a few minutes always checking for proper fluid levels. Adjust the fluid level by adding more if necessary and then put the radiator cap on securely.