The Nissan Path

I have an '09 SE with a Calsonic ZL11A radiator from which I hear is a less likely radiator to fail?

I have noticed a faint coolant smell at times outside the vehicle. I looked around the radiator on top for a leak but couldn't see anything noticeable. I opened the coolant holding tank and a noticed it a bit low. However no signs of of coolant/trans mixture and never no signs of coolant on the ground whenever I'm parked..

Today I looked at the bottom of the radiator with a flashlight and noticed a minor wet area at the bottom of the radiator on the drivers side. I'm guessing this is where my issue is. Would this be a cracked radiator issue or maybe perhaps a drain plug issue?

Pressure spike due to failed rad cap. Replace rad and pressure cap.

Wouldn't that have caused overheating though? Never had an issue with that

Not necessarily. You'd have to be low on coolant for it to overheat.

Hello, I also own a 2009 SE w/ the same ZL11A radiator. Somewhere on the sight or on a different board I read that someone had the contamination with the ZL11A radiator. So to play it safe I had the radiator replaced this past weekend with a Spectra. I figure spend $635.00 now (piece of mind) or possibly $2500 and up if it does get contaminated. Also, from my understanding even flushing the trans can eventually still cause issues again w/ the trans. Just my 2 cents.



2009 Pathfinder SE 4x4
28,550 miles

Pathfinder2009 wrote:. Also, from my understanding even flushing the trans can eventually still cause issues again w/ the trans. Just my 2 cents.

That's a common misunderstanding about flushing the transmission. This video talks about why a flush could cause problems. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o690DovjDAc&t=582s

fwiw, my brother just traded in a 2011 PF after having the coolant contamination problem. maybe that was just a fluke, though, i hadn't heard of too many that new having the issue.

I played it safe and had the radiator swapped out before any contamination happens for a Spectra. Knock on wood so far so good. I'm know looking for tires and narrowed that down to two (Hankook Dynopro or Kumho Crugen Ht51).


09 Pathfinder Se
28900 miles

I still got my Kumho Crugens sitting in my living room. One of these days I'll get them on! Been too busy between doctors appointments, vet appointments, work...

Found that bad catalytic converters cause pressure build up allowing the radiator to crack and leak coolant into transmission. My '05 did this at 96,000. It has 113,000 on it now. Cats can be purchased much cheaper on Ebay and have them installed by mechanic. I will be changing mine every 50,000 along with the radiator.

I fail to see the connection between catalytic converters and your radiator.

Cats are not something that need to be replaced every 50k. And the cheap ones off of eBay are probably not the best idea anyways.

Agree with disallow. Besides, catalytic converters are easily checked by a simple back pressure test, however, most R51 converters fail because they become inefficient at breaking down exhaust emissions and not because they become restrictive.