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Well, the hair line crack on my radiator has taken its toll, and my Camry stays at the half mark when driving at 60 mph, so I think its time for a new radiator. How hard is it to change one? Im broke and don't mind getting my hands dirty. Wouldn't mind doing some dress up on the engine bay either
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1991 Lexus ES250, 2006 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE
1. Disconnect the upper and lower radiator hose. Make sure the engine is cool before you do this.
2. Disconnect the hoses that goto the tranny. This is if you have a auto tranny.
3. Unplug the fans.
4. Unbolt the brackets holding down the radiator.
5. Lift the radiator out of the car.
6. Swap the fans from your old radiator to your new one. Also swap over the rubber bushings (there should be 2 of them) on the bottom of your old radiator.
7. Reinstall everything, fill up the radiator with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water.
8. Run the car with the radiator cap off and the heater on full blast to bleed the system. Keep an eye on the fluid level in the radiator and fill it up as it gets low.
Now would also be a good time to change out your thermostat. The thermostat is in a housing where the lower radiator hose connects to the engine.
Thanx for the help. I thought the thermostat was behind the water pump????? Mabey thats the old way of doing things. I found a radiator on e-bay for $109 Since you say its about a 30 min job...Im guessing about 2 hours for me....40 mins to install, 20 mins of screwing around, and a hour trying to find the tools.
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1991 Lexus ES250, 2006 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE
Sometimes the clip holding the wire at the bottom center of the radiator can be a beeotch. I have had to break it in every case. I just use a zip tie in the replacement.
it's very simple you can do it 30mins when , go borrow a floor jack and some jack stands it'll make it easier when you re-attach the lower hose when you'r under the car
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Quantum mechanics - the dreams that stuff is made of.
I just got my new Radiator ... And its not for a Toyota ... Its huge its 3" to 3.5" thick compared to stock which is 1" thick... And if I remember correctly its a 3row radiator also ...
Very helpful thread. I have to change the radiator in my 1997 Camry XLE (american/automatic/AC), because of a leak where the plastic housing and metal radiator meet. Can you guys recommend a good radiator replacement? I'm hesitant to put in another radiator with plastic. Is there a good all metal replacement radiator? I plan to keep my car for a few more years.
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Mabey thats the old way of doing things. I found a radiator on e-bay for $109 Since you say its about a 30 min job...Im guessing about 2 hours for me....40 mins to install, 20 mins of screwing around, and a hour trying to find the tools.
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