Hey,

Just some advice about installing a new radiator. I own a 2000 v6 2.8 and came across with this issue. If you buy it from most online parts store, they will send you a Nissens. In these, there's a threaded hole for the temperature switch on the lower driver side, however the in the V6 the switch doesn't sit there (in my case it's on the lower radiator hose). So you need the radiator plug and gasket HOWEVER (and this is a big HOWEVER), the plug sold in online stores, although the correct thread size, for some reason it doesn't torque down and keeps slipping when you apply more torque, resulting a f+ing coolant leak. I thought it was a bad part so I bought another plug from another store (they are cheap, run for about $1) and still the same issue. I ended up using the plug from my original radiator. Upon comparison I noticed the original plug is a 2mm bigger or so than the new plug. I checked part number and everything, the plug was the correct one, but some reason it's smaller than the original (bad oem specs? i dont know)

Bottom line, if you replace your radiator, do not discard the plug that sits on the lower driver side (you'll know when you see it), but you should still use a new gasket.

Hope this helps someone, I wish I saw this info before hand. It was an interesting week.

 

Thats why when you swap radiator's you keep the old one on the side till the job is complete. A good rule of thumb for every job.

 

yeah, couldn't agree more. I'm just paranoid about reusing old stuff and when I diy I try to replace everything, but that POS plug, man, they just didn't seem to get it done properly so had to use the original one.

 

very good advice. you should do a writeup and sent it to the an admin to put in the DIY section. i know what you mean about using old stuff, i guess just smear rtv on it lol

 

Yea thats why I bought mine at the stealership. For a major part like that I'll pay a little extra just to be sure.

 

If its a plug like that its just fine to reuse it as long as it threads in nicely and doesnt have any hindering visual damage. At our shop we reuse almost anything unless our judgment tells us otherwise. Like a radiator hose is starting to crack or is very hard to get at and just looks old so we do it now to save the customer money later.