So long story short the other day I'm literally run off the road by an idiot semi driver which forced me to hit a large pot hole on my front passenger tire. I think nothing of it until recently I noticed the smell of coolant and when I pop the hood I see green in that area and the top of the radiator is hissing. I have not noticed the temp gauge going higher than normal although the car seems to be down on power (anything less than 106hp is noticeable apparently). The car is a 97 civic hatch dx 5 speed. I also cannot easily see any damage under the car. Any ideas?

 

You should pressure test your cooling system and get an alignment check since you hit a large pothole.

 

Replace the radiator. It's really easy. Disconnect hoses and the top radiator holder. Check hoses for any damage and replace if necessary. Hook the new one up and get everything back together. Then fill it up with coolant to the top(don't forget the reservoir). Then bleed the coolant(use search to find out how) and your good to go.
EDIT: Check that your cap is in good working order as well.

 

Oh and don't drive it until it's fixed. Overheating can cause serious damage.

 

Check the cap and make sure you don't overheat the car, I blew my headgasket because I didn't know. Rad could be cracked too

 

Well the temps are still good and the coolant doesn't even drip onto the floor. Just have to keep an eye on it I guess. Where does one go about getting another radiator (not junkyard if I don't have to) and how much $ will I be set back?

 

100 dollars for an aftermarket - plain stock style.

 

screw getting one for $100, ebay has one row radiators for $35 shipped, assuming you have a stock motor it'll work just fine. I got one for my girlfriend's old 92 DX hatch (D15B7) and it was perfect and I sold my old one to my friend who has a 96 EX (D16Y8) and it works.

 

Yes, you can get it cheaper on Ebay. If you are dealing with a daily driver, some people can't wait for a couple of days. I wouldn't drive around with a bad radiator especially with an aluminum engine.

 

Straight up. Mine blew on the freeway. Autozone had one for 90 bux. Had it in 45 minutes after it originally blew. 2 years later still kickin ***.

 

Any install guides available? Just moved and won't have Internet till Friday, been using my iPhone. Any guides on bleeding as well?

 

i'm surpirsed the iphone doesn't have a app for that LOL i'll invent one.

 

You just drain the coolant, remove the hoses, unbolt the top radiator stay, disconnect the fan wire, and it should lift right out. If your car's an automatic, you may have more hoses to undo on the bottom for a transmission cooler. I know my Accord had one, but I'm not sure about a Civic.

To bleed it, install and hook everything back up. Fill the new radiator and reservoir with 50/50 mix coolant, and leave the cap off. Check your coolant mix with a hydrometer before you pour it in. Start the car, and turn the heater on full blast.

Let it run for 20-30 minutes with the cap off. When the thermostat opens after 10 minutes or so, it should suck coolant through the engine, so you may have to top off the radiator again.

What this does is cycle the coolant through the system while forcing any air pockets to the top, where they escape out the open radiator cap. Just keep adding coolant as needed. It's normal for the level to drop a bit if the system was completely emptied.

After 20-30 minutes, put the cap back on. I'd recommend gloves, because any coolant around the cap area will be very hot.

 

Thanks man! Been forced to take my weekend car to work every day and it is THIRSTY lol. I want my civic back. Hopefully it goes smooth this weekend.

 

If it has been awhile, maybe replacing the hoses, thermostat, and rad cap.

 

Figured I would update everyone who chimed in to help. Replaced radiator and everything is A-OK. Thanks!