4 bad radiators in a row today?
#1
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
4 bad radiators in a row today?
My OEM radiator opened up a 3 inch horizontal crack in the plastic tank near the filler neck. It started a few weeks ago and got worse until I found the source.
2 Spectra radiators from Autozone leaked at the same corner near the cruise control, from in between the plastic tank and the crimping.
1 Ready Rad from OReilly leaked near the rightmost fan screw post also from in between the plastic tank and the crimping. This one I noticed had already been returned at least once.
Radiator cap on or off doesn't matter. When it heats up it starts seeping out. No it doesn't blow bubbles when I rev the motor.
Do these parts store rads just suck that bad, do I have the worst luck in the world, or is there something else going on?
2 Spectra radiators from Autozone leaked at the same corner near the cruise control, from in between the plastic tank and the crimping.
1 Ready Rad from OReilly leaked near the rightmost fan screw post also from in between the plastic tank and the crimping. This one I noticed had already been returned at least once.
Radiator cap on or off doesn't matter. When it heats up it starts seeping out. No it doesn't blow bubbles when I rev the motor.
Do these parts store rads just suck that bad, do I have the worst luck in the world, or is there something else going on?
#3
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Re: 4 bad radiators in a row today?
Shrug, tell me where I could get an OEM radiator on a Sunday. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else had any luck to report with off-brand stuff. I can't believe they are really this bad.
#4
He knows where you live!
iTrader: (1)
Re: 4 bad radiators in a row today?
Very true.
Generally speaking the off-brand stuff is the off-brand stuff. Axles, master cylinders, etc. The fitment can be off and their price is cheaper due to cheaper materials.
The re-manufactured units can be just as bad since you don't know what condition they were originally. You could temporarily fix it with like JB Weld until you can pick up a new unit. I'm assuming your OEM one cracked after like the 10+ years of use?
Generally speaking the off-brand stuff is the off-brand stuff. Axles, master cylinders, etc. The fitment can be off and their price is cheaper due to cheaper materials.
The re-manufactured units can be just as bad since you don't know what condition they were originally. You could temporarily fix it with like JB Weld until you can pick up a new unit. I'm assuming your OEM one cracked after like the 10+ years of use?
#5
Honda-Tech Member
Re: 4 bad radiators in a row today?
The plastic endcaps on my accord rad crapped out.. top one after about 9 yrs, bottom one after about 13 yrs...
Both times I got my radiator shop to upgrade me to a brass end instead of the crap plastic.. Definitely more durable, I wish they still made them like that..
Both times I got my radiator shop to upgrade me to a brass end instead of the crap plastic.. Definitely more durable, I wish they still made them like that..
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#8
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Re: 4 bad radiators in a row today?
we have a large radiator shop here in MN, I use them every time I have had a leak and never have had an issue with the replacements as they have lifetime warranty..........my 94 honda accord is 15 years old on the same radiator
#9
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Re: 4 bad radiators in a row today?
Yes, I'm not the first owner but it was an OEM radiator that finally cracked. I'm going to go see how much a rad shop wants to re-tank it, but otherwise I'm tempted to go with an all-aluminum replacement. I'm starting to hate this plastic stuff.
#10
Re: 4 bad radiators in a row today?
I must be lucky, I put an autozone bad-boy in my accord around six years ago and haven't had a problem yet.
but it is time to replace the o-ring on my distributor. it leaked oil onto my heater hose and caused it to swell up and fail. of course it had to happen after a 45 min. commute to work.
but it is time to replace the o-ring on my distributor. it leaked oil onto my heater hose and caused it to swell up and fail. of course it had to happen after a 45 min. commute to work.
#11
Re: 4 bad radiators in a row today?
yeah i'm lucky too LOL autozone radiator in the integra about 6 years ago. havent had an issue yet. i went to remove the hose one day back then and the damn plastic hose mount for the upper hose snapped off. the plastic just gets old. crappy design but 4 radiators today...you just have bad luck. pressure test the next one if youre still having issues. i know is not sunday anymore LOL
#12
Honda-Tech Member
Re: 4 bad radiators in a row today?
Luckily, I am still on my original rad since 95. I had replaced a celica's radiator from Autozone before and even bout a china one from ebay before but never had any issues with those. And that was almost 7 years ago. Both were aluminuim.
#14
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Re: 4 bad radiators in a row today?
I bought this one when it was on sale for $15:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT
After several short drives, it has not leaked. I guess my luck really was that bad with the parts stores radiators...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT
After several short drives, it has not leaked. I guess my luck really was that bad with the parts stores radiators...
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