(dumb question)

Lately I've been smelling coolant, and today I noticed steam coming from the radiator. the reservoir is almost empty also. does this pretty much mean that i need a new radiator? how long do they usually last, and how much would a new one cost?

car:
95 GS-R
stock
91k miles
new water pump

thx
rich

 

same thing happened to me with my 94 LS. The top of the radiator was cracked. This is notorious for happening on our cars, well at least 94-95s. I just went to http://www.radiator.com and got a new oem/style replacement for .. i think 160$. Next day just dropped it in myself... problem gone... good luck

 

I just had the same problem with my 94 LS and ordered a new fluidyne from absoluteradiator to replace my old one whose top seal is just done and has been leaking coolant like mad.

 

you can do a radiator compresion test to see if you really need to change your radiator....might save u some money.....maybe your hose is just cracked or leaking. HTH

 

mine's leaking ALL around the top seal where the metals is crimped over the plastic lip. its pooling on top of the cooling fan housing. I don't think it cold possibly be a crack with seepage like that. its unfortunate I just put new wheels and tires on it and now I can't drive it unless I feel like cleaning up the coolant mess

 

thanks everyone...

i just took another look right now, and it's definitely leaking at the top of the radiator.
i need to drive it tomorrow to work...how bad would that be?

thx

 

i drove mine leaking for 2 months...never had a problem.. the overflow would run out.. and id fill it up every week. But, i didnt have to. BTW, radiator.com has free overnight shipping!

 

mine has been leaking for over 6 months. Keep topping off with water every week or so and refilling the overflow tank about every week with alittle more. Needs to be changed just dont have that ever important asset.....time.

 

im selling my fluidyne radiator for 225 if anyone wants it..

 

Don't keep topping off with just water but use coolant/water mixture.
I made the same mistake when mine was leaking and later saw clear water drained out when I replaced the radiator. Keep in mine that coolant also acts as lubicant for water pump.

 

very tru indeed. Mine is still very green in color. I know the mixture may not be correct but its not rocket science either. When i replce it soon i will get the mixture correct.

But good point none the less.

 

bought a koyo for $130 this week :D

 

hey guys:

i know that a way to check for leaks in your radiator is to either have a shop pressure test it or you can drop in those colored dye ***** which allows you see where the source of the leak is coming from but, most likely i would assume the top plastic casing on the top portion of most honda/acura radiators begin to start cracking or show serious signs of stress starting around 80k or so from what i've seen.

what's the difference between the fluidyne and kyoto radiators? i know you can reuse your stock radiator fan but, have to get a replacement AC fan if equipped w/ air because it needs to be thinner than your stock one since the aftermarket units are thicker. i've installed a fluidyne before and the fit/finish is good except for one complaint--on the area where the neck has a twist on nibble that connects to the resevior tank...that part tended to cause coolant to leak from that point despite using a radiator tie around the hose on the nibble.

lsracer: how much did you get the fluidyne for at absoluteradiator.com? and what was your experience in dealing with this shop??

94acurals: do you know if they carry kyoto and fluidyne radiators as well as replacement oem's at radiator.com? and how was your experience in dealing with this shop??

rcl: where did you get your kyoto for $130? how do you like it so far??

any information or help would be much appreciated...

thank you.

 

really? i never had any problems with the fitment. the only thing that i couldnt use was the a/c condensor fan.

 

just checked radiator.com trying to get one, price....199!!! what happened to 130???

 

Well other than the fact that they were out of stock when I placed the order, I was very happy with dealing with them, one of their guys called me the next day to let me know they didn't have it then but it came in when he said it would and I installed it today. the radiator was 315 and I had to but one of their slim fans for the AC condenser, not so sure about the mounting kit on that fan though. when I have some cash to toss about I think I'll buy a FAL replacement for both fans it'll look much better and take up less room, too bad they're so freaking expensive. the install went pretty well except I had to rewire the power for the new fan. which wasn't too fun. but that shiny radiator looks so pretty in there. At some point soon I'll have the whole cooling system flushed too and perhaps install my JR thermostat though from what I've read here that may not be the best idea. I've also yet to see my cooling fans running which has me a little worried but I never saw them run too much before either so I don't know if it's going to be a problem or not.
I'm just glad to know I'm not leaking coolant like a sieve from the radiator.

 

i bought the koyo (just a standard OEM replacement) from a shop in san jose called Alfa Radiator on Monterey Rd. Best price i could find by far

 

Don't buy another stock one buy a fluidyne or koyo the cost the same as a stock one or if not cheaper. Either brand are good quality radiators

 

lsracer: thank you very much for your input on your buying experience w/ absoluteradiator.com...glad to hear you had a positive buying experience with this shop. yes, my friend also purchased one of those slim fans for the ac and the mounting kit which consisted of blk. plastic ties,etc...we were alittle disturbed initially by the fact there were no instructions provided for the end user on how to rewire the power for the new fan so we simply took off the stock connector and wired it onto the new fan. when you flush/fill/bleed your system...you will then see your main fan cycle on/off and to check your ac fan...simply just turn your ac on from the inside of your car. i would recommend that anyone changing out their radiator to also change out your upper/lower radiator hoses as well since you have it all out of the car and is alot easier to access the lower hose. also, when you change out your thermostat (use some penetrating oil first!) to be careful with those thermostat bolts...they're on there pretty tight and could be easily broken off or rounded off. good luck!

rcl: do you know if that shop sells any of these aftermarket radiators...would be nice if i could just pick one up locally?

also, if anybody knows of any other online shops that sells the fluidyne or kyoto radiators at good prices...please post and share w/ the rest of us...

thanks guys!

 

HOw much was it and how long is the warrany?

 

paid $130, 3 year warranty. good enough.

deep6 - i dont know what other brands they carry... here's their # 408-224-8801