Im having a weird issue. Last night on the way home I noticed a little steam coming from the bay when I parked my car. I popped the hood and saw anti freeze everywhere. I cannot see where it came from. The car never once over heated . the temp needle never moved. I refilled the radiator and the overflow. Today I drove about a 2 hour round trip, came home and it did it again. The overflow was empty and I just filled in the other day. there was also anti freeze sprayed every where again. Does this sound like a crack somewhere in the radiator? It seems to only do it on long trips. Short runs around town it wont do this. Here are some pictures of what I see when I open the hood.

 

Leak.

 

is your radiator cap closed tightly?
any radiator hoses cracked?

 

lol. I know it's a leak , I dont know if it's a cracked radiator or what, it's the stock radiator with 165,000 miles on it.

 

The cap seems to close just fine. The hoses looks to be okay as well. I have yet to get under the car and look, but it seems as if it's spraying from up top somewhere. Its spraying onto to my dist. cap and exhaust heat sheild..

 

There's your answer...my oem radiator crapped out at about 140k i think
Same leak, top half of radiator was separating from the core

 

Im leaning towards that being the issue. Did yours have anti freeze sitting on the top like that? Im just going to buy a aftermarket rad but I didnt wanna jump on one right away if it's not the radiator

 

It looks like the rad is leaking where the top tank is crimped to the core. I just replaced mine today for the same reason.

 

When the plastic separates like that the you get that kind of leak. Doesn't matter if you're leaning towards it or not. Just replace the rad. Don't try and salvage it. And don't use any stop leak to try and get some more life out of it.

 

rad def has a crack in it. i had the same problem and the crack wound up being on the front top of the radiator facing the street.

 

the radiator does look like it is separating but if you want to diagnose it top it off
rinse off the anti freeze from the radiator, install the cap and let your car run you should be able to watch and see it leak from the radiator.
replace the cap too just because it shuts ok does not mean it is holding pressure.

 

Honda are reliable, but dont run forever..

Change out the rad to an OEM replacement from the parts store since your not doing excessive mods. Then it comes with replacement warranty.

It will take 1 hour to swap out and bleed the new one with simple hand tools.

 

9 times out of 10 of the coolant is found pooling along that seam the rad is done. Especially if it's on a part of the rad no where near the hose.

 

You have the most common type of leak from our radiators - from the top seam. Replace the radiator, bleed the cooling system, and you are good to go.

 

agreed. it sounded like op wanted proof of the failure.

 

Thanks guys , I think I will just buy a Aluminum one from Go-autoworks. I know it's a simple drop in but will the oem fan work or will I need the slim fan?

 

OEM works. You may have fitment issues with the overflow .reservoir.

 

What to be sure pressure check it.

 

Thanks

 

oem fan works with the aluminum radiators. overflow does not get in the way either.

 

might as well put in new hoses and thermostat while youre at it. cheap

 

I changed my radiator last week.....
changed the hoses while I was there---

Im not 100% sure you need to change those hoses (or thermo) I changed mine and looked them over thoroughly...no difference from the old to new. Mine has 173k

Id look over the hoses, and then decide. If they aren't cracked or leaking..Id leave em alone

 

This. I've very rarely seen a Honda rad hose go bad. If they're swollen badly at the clamps then I'd replace them otherwise no. That upper rad hose appears to be in great shape btw.

 

Mine looked fine until it split at the thermostat housing, change the hoses, looking fine is BS.

 

Yeah the hoses seem to be in really good shape. Im ordering the radiator tonight. I hope I dont have any issues mounting the stock fan to it . --- here is the rad im going to get

http://www.go-autoworks-store.com/12sicialrad.html