Hi all,
I recently discovered a leak in my radiator as well as some squeels. I have two questions:
1) Radiator
I was looking on amazon.com for radiators and have seen some that are fairly inexpensive (under $100). Have any of your tried using any of these? Can someone advise me as to which is the best one, aside from OEM?
2) Pulley
I hear a squeel under the hood. I suspect that it's one of the pulleys. Are they hard to replace? What types of tools will I need, and does anyone here have instructions or tips?
Thank you in advance.
98 QX4 Radiator and Pulley
-
atraudes
- Posts: 1106
- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:46 pm
- Car: 2001.5 Infiniti QX4 4WD
- Location: Sammamish, WA
Re: 98 QX4 Radiator and Pulley
I recently installed a Spectra Premium CU2459 radiator and same brand A/C condenser in my 01 QX4. Overall I was very pleased with the quality of the radiator. It looked very close to OEM, everything fit perfectly, no leaks in the 3 weeks I've been using it 
I was much less pleased with the condenser, however. It ended up working out fine, but one of the hose connectors and the filter/dryer pipes needed some serious tweaking to get them to fit the existing setup. Not cool, but like I said, it worked out in the end.
I picked Spectra Premium because they got fairly consistently good reviews on Amazon, and sold themselves on selling a higher quality unit. I'd recommend their radiators since that part was so painless.
As for the pulley, it depends on which one you're referring to. If you're talking about the idler/tensioner, all I need to remove or adjust mine is a standard set of wrenches and sockets.
A squeal is usually just a sign that a belt is in need of replacing or tightening, though. If you can't remember how old it is, I'd just replace it. They're generally fairly inexpensive and worth not having to worry about it. The Chilton guide and FSM both offer guides on how to change the belt (it's pretty straightforward).
I was much less pleased with the condenser, however. It ended up working out fine, but one of the hose connectors and the filter/dryer pipes needed some serious tweaking to get them to fit the existing setup. Not cool, but like I said, it worked out in the end.I picked Spectra Premium because they got fairly consistently good reviews on Amazon, and sold themselves on selling a higher quality unit. I'd recommend their radiators since that part was so painless.
As for the pulley, it depends on which one you're referring to. If you're talking about the idler/tensioner, all I need to remove or adjust mine is a standard set of wrenches and sockets.
A squeal is usually just a sign that a belt is in need of replacing or tightening, though. If you can't remember how old it is, I'd just replace it. They're generally fairly inexpensive and worth not having to worry about it. The Chilton guide and FSM both offer guides on how to change the belt (it's pretty straightforward).
Re: 98 QX4 Radiator and Pulley
Hi,
Thank you very much for your reply. I just ordered the Spectra Radiator.
Can anyone help with regards to the part # for the pulley? It is the the one of the left with the shiny metallic surface, but I can't seem to find one with similar physical characteristics on Amazon. I have 1998 Qx4. Thanks in advance!
As well, does anyone have instructions on how to replace the pulley? I have never ever done anything remotely like this before. All I know is that I have to loosen the belt somehow and the screw the pulley off then screw a new one back on. I am not sure how to loosen the belt--I have viewed youtube videos online (not the qx4) and they indicate that I have to move a pulley up and down to loosen the belt? Any advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much for your reply. I just ordered the Spectra Radiator.
Can anyone help with regards to the part # for the pulley? It is the the one of the left with the shiny metallic surface, but I can't seem to find one with similar physical characteristics on Amazon. I have 1998 Qx4. Thanks in advance!
As well, does anyone have instructions on how to replace the pulley? I have never ever done anything remotely like this before. All I know is that I have to loosen the belt somehow and the screw the pulley off then screw a new one back on. I am not sure how to loosen the belt--I have viewed youtube videos online (not the qx4) and they indicate that I have to move a pulley up and down to loosen the belt? Any advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated.