Well, I live approximately 1.5 Hrs from the closest Acura dealership and sent them over my R using Roadside assistance because I had a coolant leak. They found out that it was a puncture in the radiator and that they will need to replace it. However, they are charging me $700 because they said since the radiator was probably damaged by a small rock or something it is not covered under warranty. Not sure if I want to pay that much to replace my radiator and so was wondering if there is an alternative or how much people sell them for used. Can anyone help me out here? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

Get a Fluidyne, C&R, or Koyo. I've owned a Fluydine that actually made it to two different cars. They'll cool like nothing else, look blinging and the best part they wont explode or break apart like the crappy plastic end-tank OE ones.

Check the H-T Sponsors marketplace under Performance.

 

Yeah was thinking about the Fluidyne as soon as I found out the oem radiator needed replacement. I never knew it would cost so much to replace the oem radiator. Is there anyone here selling an oem one for cheap?

 

If it aint broke, dont fix it. If it is, upgrade

 

Hehe, sounds good. I guess I'm gonna go with either Koyo or Fluidyne. Hm... how long does it take to install a radiator anyways? the Acura dealership seems to be charging me an extremely high fee to have this done.


Modified by EuN_TeK at 8:46 PM 3/28/2005

 

I was thinking about this, and thought, what does warranty cover? I don't understand why this wouldn't be covered under warranty. Shouldn't the underbody have blocked any rocks from hitting the radiator anyways? Is there anything that I could do to get Acura to fix this? Acura roadside assitance won't bring it back to me since they can only deliver to Acura dealerships and I don't know if I want to drive it back having to refill coolant over and over, possibly damaging my engine... BLAH! STUPID WARRANTY... its worthless!

 

I wouldnt worry about damaging the motor, as long as the temp gauge doesnt start to go up too high. In fact if you're really desparate there are radiator patch kits that you can get, I've used Hondabond (the transmission case sealer, and what everyone uses on the dipstick t00b) before too. Spray it with brake cleaner and go to town, but seriously its not worth replaceing with an OEM, aftermarket will cool a lot better and they're all aluminum so theyre a lot stronger.

 

yeah thats what I was thinking, stupid oem plastic. Anyways, how long does a radiator install take? does it require any welding? maybe i should search eh?

 

Forget the stealership (drive it to the closest curb) and find the parts and replace yourself. It's not rocket science and you save yourself $$.

 

Radiator Replacement

1. Drain the engine coolant
2. Remove the upper and lower radiator hoses, and ATF cooler hoses.
3. Disconnect the fan motore connectors.
4. Remove the radiator upper brackets, then pull up the radiator.
5. Remove the fan shroud assemblies and other parts from radiator.

Install new radiator in reverse order of removal. I think you need pics though

 

yeah... i found an old thread in which kendall said he could replace in 20 minutes... oem radiator is like $150. meaning since the dealership is trying to charge me $700, they are charging me $550 in labor fees. When did mechanics start getting paid $1650/hour?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EuN_TeK &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yeah... i found an old thread in which kendall said he could replace in 20 minutes... oem radiator is like $150. meaning since the dealership is trying to charge me $700, they are charging me $550 in labor fees. When did mechanics start getting paid $1650/hour?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Forget them. Pay them the diagnostics charge and take your car to the nearest sidestreet and replace all the items yourself. The stealership crooks think you are made of gold.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EuN_TeK &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yeah... i found an old thread in which kendall said he could replace in 20 minutes... oem radiator is like $150. meaning since the dealership is trying to charge me $700, they are charging me $550 in labor fees. When did mechanics start getting paid $1650/hour?</TD></TR></TABLE>

OEM is actually about $450 from any normal stealership. Its $408 from Acuraautomotiveparts.org which is cheaper than most stealerships but still more pricey than a fluidyne

 

man.. how is that possible? its a piece of junk! Koyo makes the same rad as the oem that u can buy off ebay for $150. amazing how much oem costs... anyhooo... still like charging me $250 for a 20 minute job. I know mechanics don't get paid $750 an hour...

 

i got my OE replacement from 1800radiator http://1800radiator.com/

'twas about 100 bucks?

 

I sold my old one for $80.

I could have SWORN it used to cost ~150... but I just looked it up.

List $475, Delray Acura has it for $380.
http://www.acuraoemparts.com/

Screw that though, C&R Rad is only ~$460

-Chris

 

yeah, i really thought oem rad used to cost a lot less, but guess not anymore. doesn't matter, not gonna spend $475 or even 380 as a matter of fact on something that I can replace with a better part for cheaper... which way to go is the question now. Koyo, Fluidyne or C&R... can get a fluidyne one for $319 and Koyo for $309 shipped for both from sponser section...

 

I think it depends on who you talk to. If you can find connections, you can always get it for less.

Perhaps look on this board and do a search to see if you can find someone to get you the stock parts. I replaced mine with another OEM GSR one. Next time, I'll get an all aluminum one.

Also, do NOT use an aftermarket radiator cap that is "high pressure" this causes issues with your radiator as well.

It's always good to go to meets in your local area and make friends that way, your friends and you can DIY Or you can pay THEM to do it

-aoib0t, who has a spoon and mugen radiator caps that sits in his drawer now

 

i just went to 1800radiator.com , hit acura... it takes you to a live chat, damn these guys are fast to answer. got all that in a 1min dialogue i'm baffled at the service. (in a good way!) (although i'm not sure what he means by tricky fitment) i've had my rad on the past year, no problems, 10+ HPDEs on it, stock R

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by the rad guy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
You : wow, ok, thanks!!!
Chuck : Thanks. I'll have George or one of his techs contact you in under ten minutes. Meanwhile you can call us if you prefer at 800-248-8720. We'll always be here if you need to buy a part or just need free advice!
You : xxx xxx xxxx .. but it's midnight here can i try in the morning?
Chuck : I could sell this to you but the 01 Integra was a little tricky. Your best bet is speaking to George, our lead Acura technician (or one of his techs), to verify your radiator. he always figures out the right one the first time with just a couple questions. He's on the phone now but I can have him call you back in a minute - what's your phone number and the area code?
Chuck : With a Lifetime Warranty the radiator costs $119 and if you only need a one year warranty it's $99. About 1/3 what the dealer charges. Hold on --
You : xxxxx
You : (how the heck are you guys so fast... lol)
Chuck : Your price is coming. Looks like that 01 is a really complicated fit. I'll just quote you the most likely 1 of the 3 possible parts -- Or you're welcome to talk to one of our Acura techs to be 100% sure. What's your zip code and how soon would you need it?
You : just the rad
Chuck : good. The aftermarket fits and cools just like OEM, but you'll save some cash. Do you want quotes on just the radiator -- or installation too?
You : oe and depending which aftermarket you have
Chuck : OK. Would you prefer quotes on an OEM or aftermarket radiator?
You : 1.8L
Chuck : Do you know the engine size?
You : 2001
Chuck : What year is your Acura Integra?
You : integra type r
Chuck : What model and year Acura do you have?</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

upside down..

 

i got 1/2 size rad.. "civic rad" and i reloacted the.... mounts and it works perfect.

car warms up faster but didnt over heat

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EbboyPSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Radiator Replacement

1. Drain the engine coolant
2. Remove the upper and lower radiator hoses, and ATF cooler hoses.
3. Disconnect the fan motore connectors.
4. Remove the radiator upper brackets, then pull up the radiator.
5. Remove the fan shroud assemblies and other parts from radiator.

Install new radiator in reverse order of removal. I think you need pics though </TD></TR></TABLE>

i almost reccomend pulling the fans off before you pull the radiator... but either way it's rather easy

 

If you're just wanting an OEM radiator, just go to a near by radiator shop and get a generic one. They'll work just as well and usually are around $100-130 installed. And if it craps out on you again, just take it back to the shop. Wish I would've done that, instead of getting one from radiatorbarn.com. It ended up costing me more $$.

 

i just sold my radiator for 70 bucks...

slapped in a koyo..install was easy =P

just missing one fan because of my exhaust manifold hahaha!