Radiator,Fans, and now power steering woes.infiniti I30

[desertmariner]

Hi, I'm new and have been trying to check around for answers to some repairs i need to do to my firstborns I30 infinity. She's off to college and loves her 2000 i30. It has 130k miles and appears to have been well cared for. Alas s""t happens and i'm fixing to go 150 miles to try and replace the radiator,fan assembly and now she informs me the power steering fluid is leaking like crazy. This will have to be done in some friends front driveway.My question is basically this. ARe these repairs beyond the scoop of a backyard machanic. I have a good amount of tools. Are special tools required. I have deep sockets and end wrenches and allen etc..... but am i going to need the Special "Nissan Widget bender extractor" to get it off and do it right.Also in my research of this model. Is the same year Maxima the same and are there other cars which have a similar engine.any tricks and advice is appreciated. BTW the quote i got for doing the radiator and twin fan assembly was for 1000. It seemed high to me. I have bought the parts online and spent 260 so far. I'm in hopes this is like a 3 hours repair...not including the power steering job. Does having the radiator and fans off facilitate doing a power steering repair.??? Thanks in advance.

Rich

[MinisterofDOOM]

Radiator and fans shouldn't be a problem for a backyard mechanic. Pretty simple, just drain the coolant, disconnect the hoses and fan power, lift them out, and reverse.I don't see it taking longer than 3 hours.

Power steering might be a pain. It depends on where in the system the leak is coming from, but it's probably something best left to people with the correct tools and know-how.

Welcome to NICO!

[MattB]

The Maxima shares the engine and drivetrain with the I30, the only real difference is in the exhaust system. I'd recommend downloading a factory service manual from somewhere online, I think http://www.phatg20.net may have it.

[xerexabante]

don't pay more than $60 for the labor, for the fan assy.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

My 95 leaks ps fluid at little

My mechanic, good and honest, said to keep filling it up

Said the cheap PS pumps on the market would not hold upand better to get Nissan OEM

There is a PS fluid available with leak stop in it

[Sentientbydesign]

A relatively high quality radiator fan assembly can be gotten on Ebay for around $70. The radiator can also be found on Ebay, but I'm cautious to buy a radiator for $75 shipped. Typically they cost around $150-$180

I'd agree with MinisterofDOOM, the radiator and fan should take well under 3 hours to replace. You might think about buying a $10 flush and fill kit from autozone or walmart to thoroughly flush the coolant system.

The PS leak could be easy or very difficult. I prefer paying my local tire shop to diagnose the problem for me and then buying the parts and installing stuff myself, but that's just me.

[austindragon]

Are you serious? They are > $500 at the dealership!

[NutriaforBreakfast]

You see why I haven't fixed it

[desertmariner]

Hi, thanks for all the good advice. I did order the fan assembly and radiator from ebay and have it in hand. couuldn't find one for 70 bucks though. i paid about 120 for the fan and 150 for the radiator. My daughter will be down from college this weekend so i'll get to work and have a better idea of where the power steering fluid is all going to .

rich

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Anyone tried 90W in the PS to stop a leak?

[desertmariner]

So i thought i'd follow up on the repairs to my kids infinity. Removing and reinstalling the radiator and fan assembly was childs play. It took 2 hours and 3 beers to do. Now, how the shop in Gainesville came up with a thousand dollar estimate for 270 dollars in parts and 2 hours of labor leaves me perplexed and pissed off........ I don't know who to trust anymore......The power steering leak was in the line which is topside with an electrical sensor nearby. I patched it and will be ordering the part for her next visit. Thanks for your help. I'll be starting a new thread on the power steering hose replacement .Rich

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Get a friend to help with the power steering