I bought the car in 01. The radiator sprung a leak in 05 and it's replacement had a 2yr warranty. The warranty was within a week of expiring in 07, and it sprung a leak. I have since had to replace the radiator every year. I have bought the same model radiator several times from the same place for several different cars. No problems! Three months ago, I had to get yet another one for the CL, only this time I purchased it from O' Reilleys (usual source not open on Sundays), and it blew out this weekend! Everything else about the cooling system "seems" normal. I'm very on top of all scheduled maintenance items (oil/trans fluid changes, coolant flushes, tire rotatation/balance, etc) and just completely rebuilt the motor in my 93 Accord, so while I'm no expert, I know a few things about cars. And yes, I'm using the correct coolant. Any ideas as to what could be causing this?

 

I would say that it's time to test the coolant for combustion gases.

 

Idea, stop buying a shitty radiator(s)?

I don't mean to be rude but I'm guessing you're buying the bottom of the barrel replacements?

 

Corrosive coolant.
Electrolysis.
^shitty radiators^
Nails/road debris

 

I'd question the quality of the radiators if all of my other experiences (and there have been many) had also been bad. Besides the Acura, I have two Honda's, a Lexus, and two Supras. I also help lots of friends and neighbors and have never had a problem like this, except with my CL. I do not feel you are being rude, in fact it would normally be a pretty good suggestion! Testing for combustion gasses is new to me and I don't know how to do it. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

 

Go rent a "block tester". Follow the procedures. It's a chemical test you run on the radiator.

Check your electrical grounds. If your coolant becomes electrically charged it will eat the metal through electrolysis.

 

Awesome advice....thank you very much! That's something I've never done but look forward to doing it and learning more. And I'll certainly clean all of the grounds.

 

the block tester is not a good test unless there is a DEAD blow in the headgasket and its getting TONS of hc in the coolant thats all its testing for

also if it was over pressurizing it that much the cap should blow off and overflow the resivor, also if its that bad you will get mixing of the coolant and oil and the dreaded chocolate milk like oil.

i would suspect shitty end tank design on the cheap radiator more than anything those cheap aftermarket radiators are absolute junk.