Nissan Frontier Xterra Pathfinder Radiator Replacement (Complete Guide)

[@RealWorldGarage]

I’m a mechanic by trade, and do KZbin myself. I often go look for a video on how stuff breaks down and goes back together on jobs that I’ve never done before. This is an excellent and quick no nonsense video. Very well done sir. I will be doing a video on replacing it, not as detailed as yours, no need, you’ve already done it. I will be posting a card to your video directing them to yours for complete instructions on removal. My video will be more focused on the aux AC fan that has crapped out, and a CEL for evap leak and using the TOPDON topscan. Good scanner BTW. Thanks again for a great video.

[@matthickam]

I personally would have tried removing the radiator brackets before trying to remove the radiator but other than that, great instructional video! Super clear and easy to follow, even for those whom are less mechanically inclined I'd assume. Definitely very motivating and makes the job look a lot less daunting that it may seem. For anyone wondering about the bypass.. The reason so many people bypass the radiator is because from 2005 to around 2010 this platform came equipped with Calsonic radiators from the factory that would fail prematurely causing coolant to leak into the transmission fluid portion of the radiator. This then creates the infamous SMOD(strawberry milkshake of death) which will lead to transmission failure. Bypassing the radiator should only be a temporary thing until the radiator has been replaced with one that is not one of the Calsonic part numbers that were failing prematurely. The transmission portion of the radiator is there to get the transmission up to operating temperature quicker, especially in cooler environments. Contrary to what a lot of others may think, the transmission portion of the radiator also provides extra cooling as well. If you tow or have a 4x4 and offroad at all, you'll most likely cause your transmission to overheat at some point if you are bypassing without any extra cooling added. Even sitting in stop and go traffic on a hot day for a couple hours can cause this in more extreme casues if bypassed. There are people out there that haven't had any issues on a permanent bypass but there are also quite a few people who have had issues running bypassed, myself included(I have an 05' Xterra Off Road). Also, this only affects automatic Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra models from roughly 05' to 10'.

[@vincentbarkley9121]

Your excellent video makes this radiator replacement look easy. I'm replacing ours now. It's a terrible, horrible job. A real wrestling match. We spent over 2 hours getting it apart.

[@scottrywolt2752]

Very thorough and professional work. Thank you for posting this. I am changing the radiator in my 2009 Pathfinder today and this looks like a much easier time than I had with my 2010 Murano (had to remove the front bumper to access it). Definately subscribing to your page.

[@planetlander5676]

Thank you! This video is great and just swapped out my Calsonic today with a Koyorad - '06 X with 249K.. made it this long without the SMOD and figured it was a good PM :)

[@jorgezagovalov7413]

Thanks dude I just finished doing my radiator thanks your video was really helpful!! 08-25-2023 5:19 pm 💪

[@kidyugi1]

Thanks bud did this at my shop. Very fast and easy. Knocked it out within the hr. Video guide is beautiful and straight foward.

[@mrdan1990]

Just bought an 06 terra having the same issue, thank you for the video!

[@Hyperion1080]

Great video showing how to do everything, however there are two things I would change up. Personally I would not use the No Spill Funnel on the expansion tank because it is a pain in the butt to suction coolant back out to get it under the max level line. Also, the coolant you have linked in the description and the coolant you used in the video are both the incorrect type. Other than those two issues, great video!

[@curtkennedy6050]

After reading the Nissan Xterra manual, watching your video, I replaced my 2009 Xterra radiator today to prevent the cross contamination of radiator fluid in the transmission fluid. All was well until lifting the radiator out of the vehicle. You really should remove the right vertical mounting bracket (and the left bracket as well) before attempting to do lift it out. Otherwise you will damage the evaporator lines and do a number on your new radiator cooling fins. No matter how delicate you are, your fins will take a beating. I saw you wrestling your radiator up and out with the brackets on. On the 2009 xterra, that’s not the way to go. Otherwise, thank you for this video. It did help. I spent half a day messing with this project. Not fun at all.

[@timewaste1256]

Thank you, I did it all by myself 🎉 much thanx

[@BigBleuDesign]

Thank you. This is EXACTLY what I needed

[@ShadowTheSC]

Thank you, I just wanted a new radiator for better cooling on my Pathy so I can reliably go faster.

[@lynchfamily3033]

thank you. very helpful. was actually very easy to do. I have a 2008 PF.

[@dustinpayne2]

Removing the shroud is about 100 x more difficult than in this video

[@scottthompson8274]

exactly and it is not shown the difficulty for a person wanting to do this job...

[@GettingGood]

Ease comes with experience

[@SamSam-ih6nt]

Just shut your camera off and when you turn it back on it will come off

[@elephantgrass631]

@@SamSam-ih6nt underrated comment.

[@chosenone1004]

@@SamSam-ih6nt This had me cracking up ! 😂😂

[@oscarschmidlappen2302]

Excellent video with good instructions. Thanks!

[@mikekiani6858]

Would you please explain how to bypass transmission line from the radiator on a Nissan Frontier. Thanks

[@ceagreen4183]

When you added the coolant back it was through the tank on the side- it looked like you filled it all the way up to the top? Can you confirm you only filled to the max line?

[@matthewzmyndak2028]

I noticed that too. He'd have to siphon some out. Also not sure why he's putting orange coolant in when it's supposed to be blue or green

[@carlossaenz4075]

Great video!!!! Step y step !!!! there is only one big thing on utub . I have not been able to find anything on fan clutch removal for a 2018 nissan frontier king cab 4cyc 2

[@genericdude6551]

I was unable to remove the shroud. It certainly won't lift straight up and out. I'll take another stab at it tomorrow. UPDATE: turns out there are 2 transmission lines attached to the shroud and that's why I had so much trouble getting it off - one line is attached underneath. They just have to be pulled out the retainers that they were pushed into. Taking off the skid plate would make this job easier also. 2014 Xterra

[@abdikarimjimale8009]

Sir you are amazing and thank you so much

[@rolandoshepherd6420]

I would really like to know if we’re actually supposed to overfill the reservoir tank like this guy did ???

[@smoothinrider]

Yeah that was kinda odd to see. Usually radiator fill then reservoir top off to specified fill line.

[@evandrorodrigues3132]

Thank You so mush for the great information.

[@rjones812rj]

I installed the new radiator and filled it up but it is still overheating. Maybe it has air pockets in the system? Also no leaks.

[@BrianMalley-m8q]

I'm having an issue with my frontier. What would cause the pressure in the coolant system to build up and pop a hose?

[@chrismusser8716]

Just did the by pass because of the 2 fluids mixing. Trying to decide to leave bypass or not once I replace radiator

[@bretbartlett3174]

Having coolant mix with your transmission oil could destroy your transmission so probably best to leave it bypassed or run an external trans oil cooler. This is a very common problem with second gen Xterra/Frontier

[@mariaguadalupeenriquezvald4962]

These video realy help me sir Thanks.

[@PhillyDee215]

Zerex is my favorite coolant for my cars👍

[@chosenone1004]

Should the heater be on when refilling coolant ?

[@carlossaenz4075]

Plus did nissan ever correct the problem with the transmission holes and the radiator leakage back to the transmission

[@patriciamartin9229]

This is a awesome detailed video and I was able to change my own radiator. Just courious the trans fluid in the radiator, since my fluid is mixed how do I know how much trans fluid to replace.

[@nickcornell6660]

The fluid is NOT MIXED!!!!!!!!! Trans fluid passes in a separate chamber in the radiator. *when* that system fails (pre 2010) the transmission will need replaced.

[@matthewzmyndak2028]

@@nickcornell6660 I'm guessing she means mixed up in the disposal container with the waste coolant?

[@matthewzmyndak2028]

Fill it back up through the dipstick tube till it reads correctly on the cold section. Go for a drive to bring the transmission up to operating temp. Recheck the dipstick with the truck idling in neutral, now using the hot section.

[@cyrusIIIII]

Is there any radiator that has its tank made out of metal rather than plastic?

[@ImJhark_]

Could you possibly do it if you dont have any heat available?!

[@rivit7615]

The OEM Xterra radiator cap is flat and has no Spring in it and the reservoir cap DOES have a spring seal. The reservoir is actually part of the pressurized system. Was the new cap that you used flat or did it have a spring? It looks like the standard spring type from the top. Will this effect the cooling systems performance?

[@j.c.4192]

yes

[@richhenson8858]

The Haynes manual and the Nissan manual say I need to remove the A/C condenser from the car if I want to get the radiator out, too. Mine is a 2014 Pathy. But it appears I can wiggle out the radiator and not have to evacuate AC and remove condenser. Is that right?

[@christianarellano384]

What do you mean by pass the transs hoses

[@caratemymoney1]

Are the aftermarket radiators prone to trans cooler failures also? Like the Spectra, etc and does it make sense to leave the OE radiator in and completely bypass the trans cooler and run an aftermarket one?

[@temperedsand093]

I purchased an after radiator from 1A auto after confirmed that they have resolved the SMOD issue. I reconnected it back to the aftermarket radiator after temporary bypass for a week.

[@patriciamartin9229]

The problems with the radiator came from nissan. I have a 2012 and didnt realize my truck was affected by the rad defect until I was in a accident and my trans oil cooler was busted. Aft the rad is fixed i suggest flushing out the transmission fluid also

[@barraganabozued9081]

​@@temperedsand093is it still working ?

[@ELEVOPR]

I'm confused. Why did you overfill the reservoir isn't that level way past the Max line? I think If I fill mine up like that it the excess antifreeze would come out through the overflow line and out the side of the fender? Do you need to overfill the reservoir tank like that to take out the air. I though the air was only purged from Radiator, I've never seen anyone purge air from Reservoir 😳

[@mikerivera8086]

Yeah nothing really happens brother I and my uncle have a frontier and it lasts way longer over filling the thing that not doing so

[@Fatchk]

Thanks for the tutorial video on changing the radiator going to be doing this to our 09 pathfinder thursday ... just wondering though why are you using the zerex American branded version of the radiator fluid instead of the fluid that has the Asian version???

[@BrwnShinobi]

Was wondering if anyone is gonna point that out 👀👀 idk man, but make sure you use fluids that factory recommends

[@ELEVOPR]

Hi, first time watcher here. Why not do a Bypass instead of changing Radiator? If people are worried about cross contamination of coolant and Trans fluid? Also, How would I be able to tell my radiator has been changed if their is no OEM Sticker on my Radiator? Is there another way of telling my Radiator has been replaced or is after Market? I just purchased my uncle's 2006 Frontier with only 37k miles on it and I have checked all fluids and all seem well, but I want to avoid a catastrophy of cross contamination 🤦🏼‍♂️ Thanks for sharing, you make it look easy 👊

[@sandman5075]

from what i read most rads should get replaced before 120k, that's usually when they start to mix. but i still would like to know the answer to question 2 of yours

[@ELEVOPR]

@@sandman5075 I just did a bypass on mine. Frontiers have an extra Radiator for transmission fluid, it's their to cool off tranny fluid even more and especially when towing, if your not towing, just do the by pass, even if your towing lightly, you can still do the bypass to Tranny Cooler that exists. If you plan to do heavy towing, their is enough space in front of the radiator to add a pretty decent additional Transmission Cooler and it's a real easy do it yourself job. Hope that clears things up.

[@vincentbarkley9121]

Great video. Thank you

[@ScooterTuck11]

It's definitely not that easy but good video. I've tackled this before lol

[@RoachVlogsBlogs]

Hey I have a quick question. My mom was driving my 05' Xterra and she said when she was heading somewhere, the car started to slip or not accelerate as well then jolted and speed up quickly. When she got home, I saw the check engine soon light pop up. I took it to Autozone and O'reillys for the free check engine diagnosis, and I got the code P1754 (input clutch solenoid valve). I talked to two different mechanics. the first mechanic said "there's water in the transmission". Said that both transmission and radiator need to get replace. the second mechanic said that the car just needs service "codes sometimes bullshits people to waste money'' and needs a new radiator with a flush. I hoping for third opinion and see what you think? the car runs okay but I'm just going to let it sit for now. side note: I went to check on the coolant reservoir and the liquid was dark but it was also creamy.

[@sandman5075]

so what was the update?

[@RoachVlogsBlogs]

@@sandman5075 did a radiator replacement and a transmission rebuilt

[@jimmy5540]

Thanks for the info great video

[@Gearhead-en8dz]

Hey Aaron. Question on your Silverado header video. 1yr ago. Which y pipe did you use. And was the truck a 4×2 or 4×4. TS says minor alteration to y pipe may be necessary if it is a 4×4. Your y pipe looked like a high flow cat. Any problems?? Etc....

[@jorgebarahona3334]

I have a question, the cap that goes in the pressure account radiator must be and the cap that goes in the reservoir since I have a Frontier 2010 and the radiator has a cap without a spring and in the reservoir it has a cap with a spring and a 1.1 price

[@matthewzmyndak2028]

Spring cap on the tank, regular cap on the rad.

[@greenday3091]

Fuck that TRQ video. I started watching that and became concerned that it was going to be too much for my amateur KZbin mechanic to fix. After watching this, I got a bit more confident!

[@jojavmo]

Has anyone had any issues with the transmission bypass? Wouldn't transmission oil overheat if it doesn't go through radiator?

[@sandman5075]

when you find something out lmk. im thinking of putting a different trans cooler on mine. but from what i read online its not too much of a pain and that a lot of people have done it, just no videos sadly. but the most one rad ive seen go is 130k

[@BillBraskyy]

The way you unsecured the fan shroud from the ... I guess you'd call it the bottom pieces? Where you said you just pull up and the bottom detaches and you can simplyift out the shroud... Is that applicable to all Xterra years? I have an 08 and getting the shroud out seems impossible to do without taking the fan blade off first, BUT, those four nuts to remove the fan are such a pain in the ass! Haha so I've been trying to find alternatives, and now I'm really hoping I can do what you did to get the shroud out bc I've wasted so much time trying to loose the nuts to that damn fan and my hands and arms are just too big to fit in that tiny space between the blades and shroud with this tiny 10mm box end wrench, spending a couple minutes each time to get the wrench on the nut, which needs a ton of torque and leverage that I just can't give/don't have bc again the tiny space and only being able to use the tips of my fingers to break these little lug nuts basically, only to slip off again and again... It's exhausting haha 😅

[@angelahighwolf]

Water? In the radiator?

[@chrismusser8716]

Good work ! Good instruction

[@jimdes108]

I have 2008 Pathfinder and my coolant is mixing with transmission fluid, thinking of changing radiator myself

[@AaronHinesAuto]

Make sure u flush that trans out! Before it’s to late

[@jimdes108]

@@AaronHinesAuto too late?

[@serioustcing]

@@jimdes108 it will destroy your transmission

[@dadocwolverines6385]

Yes did mine last year you need to bi pass the radiator..then flush the transmision..fushed mine 3 times. If the transfluid is not mixed in radiator..you can tell your radiator fluid will be frothy..if its clean and clear like coolant..just replace radiator!

[@chriscruz1106]

@@AaronHinesAuto These radiator/transmission problems common in Gen 1 or 2 Titans also? Or is it more of an xterra & pathfinder issue?

[@deaneverlean-xc2vn]

If you bypass transmission cooler, won’t your transmission over heat

[@chrisw924]

Thanks man. Saved me time

[@elonsus9747]

The shroud is huge. If Nissan made it smaller it wouldn’t be a pita.

[@evandrorodrigues3132]

Thank You Bety mush!

[@martymcgrogan]

I have a standard transmission. Is the radiator the same? do I have to plug the autotrans. cooling ports at the bottom? Any mounting differences? Video is excellent, BTW. Thanks!

[@matthewzmyndak2028]

It's the same, just omit anything regarding the trans cooler.

[@toploadtele]

The genius that designed those stupid brackets should have to replace these radiators all day long... SMH

[@GearGuy]

This does not match the 2014 Pathfinder 4WD, concepts are somewhat similar but dissassembly is different since both upper and lower hoses are on passenger side.

[@leagueofshadows5133]

For the love of God if you don't want to spend 3k for a new transmission just buy a new radiator at your local auto store and replace it! And you're good to go, my 2010 with 289 thousands miles is going strong still because when I bought the truck at 130k I immediately replace it 😀. A friend of my transmission crapped on 155k with the smod crap because he didn't listened to me.

[@carlossosa5927]

why skipped the fan cover

[@scottthompson8274]

So the most pain in the butt part, removing the shroud is not shown....Everybody needing to know an important issue here on disassembly, the fan shroud has on the bottom of it has the ability to have a section of it come off with a couple of clips holding it so has to have enough clearance it pass by both of the fans and be lifted out of between the fans and radiator....

[@hug00l]

Camera shut down when removing the shroud 😂😂😂😅

[@BULLISHGUY-fg3so]

Bs how to remove the fan cover !

[@tristenduenes6213]

No need to bypass. That's the point of replacing the radiator.

[@Solorivera]

Too much information! You’re making me mad

[@jorgeluishernandezsanches5087]

Thank you so much

[@tpow2651]

great video thank you!

[@waynetrinklein5938]

Great video! Thank you