crxaddikt

its a 90 crx, for several months there has been coolant leaking along the top of the radiator, you see the coolant along the groove on the front and back edge of the top of radiator, going across it.

it is a slow leak, and holds the coolant level to the top of radiator for a while before you start to see it go down, so its not affecting how it drives or anything, and is'nt overheating at all.

i don't see the coolant anywhere leaking around where the rad. hoses connect ?, or around the cap, (i got a new cap, but it still leaks), and i don't see coolant leaking from the overflow hose ? and theres no coolant around on the ground underneath.

i've had this radiator probably for around 10-11 years, and i thought it might be leaking cause its a plastic top tank?, but the top looks to be copper?, cause the black paint has worn away alot and looks and feels like copper on the top?, which i heard is real good.

but i guess copper can still have leaks in it as well ?,

so, question is, what can i do to check and make sure that the source of the leak is from the radiator or not?, so i can know for sure that i need to buy a new radiator or not? to me it just seems obvious, since i see the coolant along the top of the radiator, even after watching for the leak while engine is warming up, i don't see it coming from anywhere specifically, it just slowly starts appearing in the grooves along the top of radiator, running in a thin line going across it, so looks like its from the radiator to me ?

if i do need a new one, i was wondering if i can get money for the old radiator?, since it has copper in it? and other materials? and if so, where?

thanks for any info you can give me

Tyson

you look at it. if its leaking. its got a leak.

take a pic if you cant tell and really looking for an opinion.

its possible just the cap needs replacement. cant tell because i cant see it.....

Freemananana

iTrader: (3)

Do a pressure test of the coolant system. The coolant system is sealed and under pressure during regular operation. I'm not sure how the test works. But you should be able to pressurize it and see/hear the leak.

Also, pics do help.

mdrouillard1983

One would think if you see any coolant coming out of anywhere there is a leak somewhere, the coolant system is a closed system; it has to be to maintain fluid levels for cooling and prevent foreign agents like dirt to enter the system.

There is an overflow container with a hose running to it, any leaks out of there? I would just replace the radiator, I have one for sale if interested - used but works, no leaks.

Matt

Freemananana

iTrader: (3)

This reminds me. The line leading to the overflow could be cracked/loose. Check that for the cause/source of the leak.

crxaddikt

heres 2 pics of it, on one pic i made the green part brighter, so its easier to see,





basically all you see is coolant running along the ridge on the front and back edge of the top of the radiator, and don't see any cracks its coming out of ? and don't see it spraying out anywhere ? it just slowly starts appearing in those ridges, but when i wait and watch as i warm the car up and run it, i can't see where it comes from ? so probably small crack on top, probably around the left side, cause seems like it fills in the ridges starting from the left side ?, and runs toward the right,

what does it look like to you ? and yeah, so far i am already thinking get new radiator,

and i did buy a new cap recently, i got a seinko japanese oem replacement cap, its same as honda, but it did'nt fix it.

its only overheated one time, when i was idling 30 mins or more at a sonic, eating and then talking on the phone to people, with headlights on and in the summer time, and suddenly i saw a bunch of steam around the front, and got out of car and saw coolant running all over the ground, and friend / mechanic i know said its cause my radiator fan was'nt working and coming on, cause i tested it, and said i needed new rad. fan relay, and i got new relay and the fan worked again, but i wonder if when it did that, whether it caused a crack on the top of the radiator or not ? i thought the coolant came out from around the cap ? cause the overheating and over pressure?, and since it was a big amount of coolant that came out, i'm sure it could'nt all come out of a small crack, and probably came out from the fill hole around the cap, and possibly the cap was'nt on good too?

and if i get a new one, i might get a koyo oem direct fit, cause heard they are good, but still says it has plastic tank and aluminum core, and is around $113, or i could get one from a brand i am not familiar with for $78-$85, and would probably work the same, and be easier since would'nt have to order it online like the koyo and have it shipped to me, and instead buy it locally at a shop.

sstupid

You can tell from the paint, you need a new radiator. You must have hairline cracks on the top tank.

Tyson

Either you've got a small leak at the top, which alone is worth replacing the rad before it really blows.

Or this is actually, finally, good advice from free banana.

So check the reservoir hose under the cap.