Well I just washed my car and was waiting to meet up with a friend at the wash... I got done washing it and sat back in my car to wait for him.

I sat there in my car for maybe 20 mins while it idled and I was browsing the web... I wasnt watching any gauges so I'm not sure if it was getting hot or not but all of a sudden BOOM!!! I hear a huge "explosion" from under the hood.. I feared the most and could only think the motor blew up. The car wash bay filled with steam and I popped the good to see coolant everywhere.

I called my friend he was just a few minutes away so when he showed up we started goin through the coolant lines and all seamed fine and attached. We obviously were looking over the problem. I then noticed the radiator top it had a HUGE crack going all the way across the top side closest to the front of the car.

I haven't had any temp issues while I've been driving it since I've bought it and just did a 250 mile drive yesterday with no issues.


It's a 95' Integra LS non vtec

It was idling about 20 mins

Loud BOOM

Coolant everywhere

Cracked radiator

Here are some pics of the radiator





I've gotten it towed to a shop but I am looking for an answer to why/what could have caused this to happen. As far as maintenance idk. I've only ha it about a week.

Please of anyone can help me out I would appreciate it!

Thanks again, -Max-

P.S. tow pics




and here is my buddy Arie's Wagon to save the day and give me a lift home on his birthday.

 

Its probably just old, cold weather and old plastic dont mix, should be fine after you get a new radiator.

 

Get a new radiator and check for cracked hoses.

 

Agree with b20ztek if there's nothing else wrong like you said after inspection most likely just a bad rad. that's the only thing that would make sense if it was fine yesterday for you'r trip.

 

what would cause all of the pressure inside to make literally explode?

Thankyou everyone for quick replies..

 

Those plastic components on the radiator get REALLY brittle. I had an upper neck just crumble in my hands when I was taking the hose off a year or 2 ago. Maybe just a small vibration while it idled was enough to finally crack it somewhere. (BTW - gas engines shouldn't idle for 20 mins).

Shop online for a new one. I got my last one through Advanced Auto. Got a much better price online and picked it up at my local store 30 minutes later.

 

Both my Civics, at various times, popped in the dead of winter because the hoses were shot. If I had some time schedule flexibility and cash, I'd do all of the hoses and put a performance radiator upgrade in. Otherwise you might end-up the dog chasing his tail. Hopefully he didn't run it hot.

 

Check fans also.

Perhaps they stopped running or died and let it overheat.

 

Upgrade your radiator to a half size aluminum and slim fan. You can reverse the wires and mount the slim fan in front of the radiator for a cleaner engine bay look.

 

Yup, just old brittle plastic. It happens.

 

thanks again! Just ordered an OE firmest from oreillys for 89 with discount along with upper and lower hoses. They will be in tomorrow at 7am.

As far as the temp it has stayed right in the middle of the gauge so vs I've owned it and has never gotten hotter even on my long drive yesterday.

 

 

Replace the rad cap also, if it gets stuck, it will not release coolant/pressure into the overflow bottle. 94

 

Thanks! I will be replacing the cap also. They stock them in house.

 

Well after an hour or so I got the new radiator back in and also put on a new cap and clamps on each hose. I purchased new top & lower hoses but after inspection they look completely fine so I will just hang on to the hoses for now for spares.

I had a small leak once I started the car but after a few inspections it was coming from the lower drivers side outlet fitting so I grabbed a 19mm wrench and tightened her right up!
No more leaks!

I then drove about 30 miles total and everything I back to normal!

I had found the "spring/pressure release" from 2 previous caps before also inside the old radiator. I thinking that what the cause of the built up pressure. The spring/cap might have been blocking a route and BOOM!

I appreciate everyone's opinions and helpfulness!

Thanks again,
-Max-