I am having some issues with my Altima, I know that this is the Armada site but figured maybe someone out there could help me figure this out, it is afterall a Nissan.

I am having a coolant leak on the front passenger side and from what I could see no hose involvement, thinking the water pump, but not sure. PITA to change that out so was wondering if anyone had any ideas what I could do before I change out the pump and find out it was not it. Leak is a slow drip when engine is off and a steady drip to almost stream when on. No squeals or noises or other issues going on. It is a 98 altima GXE with close to 200,000 on it. Any help would be great. Thanks

Check your thermostat first! Then all hoses. Eliminate the least expensive possibilities before you go for the waterpump!

Could it be a hose clamp on the Tranny Cooler line like on the Armada??? It looks like 21631 might be a little towards the pass side. If not then Water Pump would be my guess too.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/betasite/images/l30/l30_214-1.gif (http://www.courtesyparts.com/betasite/altima-l30-1998-2001/genuine-nissan-parts/exhaust-cooling/214-radiator-shroud-fitting/-c-3520_3521_3544_3549.html)


It looks to me that a thermostat leak would be on the Driver's side.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/betasite/images/l30/l30_210-1.gif (http://www.courtesyparts.com/betasite/altima-l30-1998-2001/genuine-nissan-parts/exhaust-cooling/210-water-pump-cooling-fan-thermostat/-c-3520_3521_3544_3547.html)

90% chance of it being the water pump, but like Spyda and Pops said pointed out...you'll want to check everything you can first. I'm not + how the thermostat fits on an Altima, but it seems unlikely.....however if you do change other components to fix the problem, go ahead and change the thermostat too (it's cheap preventative maintenance).

dude, get some of that leak stopper from autozone or something. its like $6 for a can. i had a problem with our lexus rx300, and the shop said it was gonna be like $400 to fix. i just poured a can of that stuff in and it worked for a few months. $6 a can x three months per can is lot cheaper than a waterpump!!!

I am not personally a big fan of stop leak. I have had my own problems with it partially stopping up a radiator and heater core. Almost all vehicles come from the factory with some sort of stop leak in the system already. Nissan coolant has it in it, that's the ugly white residue when the stuff spills out and dries. General Motors uses a substance very similar to Barr's Leak, I think is made by them. The older Caddy's would leak like a strainer if you did not use it at every coolant change. You could pull the valve covers and find the prettiest green antifreeze on one you didn't use it on.
Your best bet is go to the parts store and invest in a small inspection mirror and a flashlight. That way you can see where it comes from yourself, plus the mirror comes in handy for other projects.
If you had to go with a sealer, go with Barr's Leak and stay away from the metallic stuff. Use the recommended amounts, and follow the instructions, a little is good, a lot is too much.