04, 2.5SL, 55,000MI needs new Radiator????

[Euroed]

Just got my 2004 Altima back from it's Winter Check up at the dealer and they happily inform me that during the pressure check of the Rad it leaked out the top seal $800.00 for them to fix. Now I never smelled anything or saw anything before the check and now it is leaking and smells. I dont know that it is reasonable that a two year old (almost 3) car that is all highway should need a radiator. Anyone else experienced this at this level of MI's or KM's?

[Q45tech]

Did you have the coolant system checked at 30k and the coolant replaced?

55,000 miles is a long time between services............have you had 14 oil changes in 55k [nothing to do with rad just asking] since you seem to drive way in excess of normal 15k per year.

Lasted beyond warranty what more could anyone want?

[Euroed]

The car has been dealer serviced for oil changes and checkups from new. Any work suggested by the dealer is either done by them or my mechanic. I am not sure if they flushed and replaced coolant on the Rad, if it was part of the service it would have been done. The coolant that came out was as clean as the day it went in. I change oil every 6000KM, when the sticker the dealer puts on suggests. As you point out I drive a fair amount of highway (150KM or 68 MI a day) so I never do service based on days, just mileage. I do not understand the "lasted past warranty" statement, what do you mean? Thanks for the reply.

[Q45tech]

I dont know that it is reasonable that a two year old (almost 3) car that is all highway should need a radiator.

Reasonable or not the rad failed and it failed after the warranty expired

[Euroed]

Thank you for your time. I suppose reasonable is a subjective thing.

[Defiant]

Just got my 2004 Altima back from it's Winter Check up at the dealer and they happily inform me that during the pressure check of the Rad it leaked out the top seal $800.00 for them to fix. Now I never smelled anything or saw anything before the check and now it is leaking and smells.

They over-pressurized it and blew the seal. They'll be happy to correct their error for free, or explain to the small claims court judge why they shouldn't.

Otherwise, 1-800-radiator for a new one, maybe $150. The neighbor kid can do the swap if you won't. It's a simple job.

Bloody gorilla mechanics. These are the clowns that torque on an oil filter to 70ft-lbs, the drain plug to 100, and why they don't get to touch anything I own.

[Euroed]

Thanks, I did not want to offend anyone, but a number of people (including a couple of mechanics) suggested that might be the case. I have been doing this drive for over 20 years with many vehicles (this is my first Nissan) and have never run into Radiator problems this early. I hae replaced the Rad for $350.00 without labour. I am just a little surprised by the attitude of the dealer, it was like this happens all the time and is OK. I am not even sure what the warranty on the Rad was, but am sure that if all the Altima's needed a Rad at 55MI or 3 years (18MI per year) they would likely not be as popular as they are. I have not spoken to one person that said that this was to be expected, they all were surprised as they felt Nissan made a superior product. The mechanic that does the work on the car loves Nissan, owns a Honda (250,000KM no Rad needed), and was surprised at what happened. Thanks again.

[Acecool]

They over pressurized as the other guy said.

Tell them to fix it, it was their fault.

[Euroed]

Thanks very much for the input. I replaced the Rad at my expense. I will be taking this up with the dealer. I do not know if what they use to pressure check the Rad can build enough pressure to blow the top seal, which is where it leaked the moment they were done.

[Q45tech]

Almost every shop [every technican] has a rad pressure tester.

The question is would an ethical technican or service department intentionally cause a radiator to fail.............it doesn't mean much money in the techs pocket [$20-$35] and he knows how much it will cost you?

[Euroed]

My assumption would always be that accidents can happen, it is what we do about them when they happen. I did not for once think that they did this on purpose, that is a much more serious situation. A Technician that has a history of problems stands to lose a lot more then $35.00 if he makes too many mistakes (ie: over pressurizing a Rad). Thanks for all the input.