Hello
I also have a 1996 maxima. A few years ago I started having a slow coolant leak. I researched it and discovered this is a nissan design where the water pump seal slowly goes out instead of just blowing when you least expect it.
So if it's a slow leak, it could be the water pump seal going. Mine started doing it when cold weather arrived. Check the location of the leak - open the hood, and follow the leak up to the engine. The water pump is right next to the wheel well (on the left when looking in the engine), back maybe a foot to a foot and a half. If the leak is coming from here, it's the water pump. If it's more from the radiator, it's probably something else.
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Monday, December 17th, 2007 AT 9:49 AM