While doing the CVT service on the Cube last weekend, I noticed that the radiator had started leaking at the seam where the plastic tank meets the core. Judging by the crust on everything nearby, it had been spraying coolant all over the engine bay, including the alternator. After 15 years and more than 167,000 miles, I'm not surprised the plastic finally gave up.
I ordered a KAX replacement radiator along with a Gates radiator cap. The new radiator came with transmission cooler ports, but the Cube doesn't use them so I left the caps on.
Getting the old radiator out meant removing the upper radiator support brace and lifting it out the top, with the fan and shroud along for the ride as one unit. I figured I'd make things easier by installing the bare radiator first and adding the fan and shroud afterwards. That plan didn't last long; there just isn't enough room. Back out it came so the radiator and shroud could go in together.
For coolant I used up the leftover Valvoline with Zerex from the last coolant change and finished with PEAK Asian Blue. I burped the system with a spill-free funnel until the heater was blowing hot, then rinsed the old coolant off the alternator and the rest of the engine bay.
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On the test drive I watched the coolant temperature with my BlueDriver. It cycled between 183°F and 193°F around town and held steady at 190°F on the interstate. Turning on the A/C got the fans cycling, so those checked out too.
There was one hiccup. Before the next drive I found the new Gates cap loose. Its tangs weren't wide enough to grab the radiator neck, so the system had never held pressure. I put the original cap back on so my son could drive to work, and with a cap that sealed, the overflow bottle rose and fell like it should. The old cap was fine, but I ordered a genuine Nissan cap to be safe. It locked right on.
No more coolant showers for the alternator!
