Replace Radiator '03 M45

[jsudaria]

Hi all,
Has anyone replaced a radiator in a 2003 M45? How involved is it? I'm trying to figure if I can and should do it myself to save the $250 in labor the shop will chargeme.

Thanks

[EdBwoy]

I have done it and didn't think it was too bad. It was a little more involved due to the hydraulic fan setup versus electric.
Then I thought the clips/bracket feeding past the radiator to the condenser was more complicated than it needed to be. Not impossible, just a little annoying, but it does its job well, as there was no looseness going on up front.
I think the 4 10mm screws that usually help secure the radiator had to be accessed in an odd fashion.
I will check to see if I took any pictures when I did mine.

Then the usual - 2 hoses for coolant and 2 for the transmission fluid. You'll probably lose some of the trans fluid, so do your best to cap/plug the trans end. Collect the radiator and figure out how much you lose and replace with the same clean amount.


... however, depending on how much time you have on your hands, if this $250 is for an Infiniti or Nissan dealership to do, then I'd consider it for sure.

[jsudaria]

Thanks Ed for coming through on this one. I'm considering letting the shop do the job. One thing I don't want to do is get almost half way through and can't get the old radiator out or have it take all day. My newly repaired shoulder 5 weeks ago probably won't like the work out either. Darn! I was hoping it would've been an easy job.

Take Care.

[EdBwoy]

You're welcome.
I had moved my pictures so I couldn't immediately access them last night but I'll check over the weekend.

[EdBwoy]

Jsudaria, sadly no pictures of the process. I either found it simple enough or was too busy cussing at the dang thing. Let us know how it goes.

[jsudaria]

I decided to have the shop replace the radiator at $250 for labor, new radiator part was $190

[EdBwoy]

Glad that's over with. What had happened to your rad in the first place, and how many miles on the car?