So I installed a radiator I bought 5+ years ago for a previous project but never used it in my Crx.

It is a dual core half sized and Im fairly certain I purchased it off ebay for a 92-00 civic most likely.

Well the damn rad cap is no longer with the rad, I probably tossed or used it I dont remember. Problem is I cant find a rad cap to fit it.

I tried the crx oem rad cap, but the cap was to big to fit inside, then I went and bought a new prestone rad cap for a 95 honda civic with 1.6L engine I think I told them, and the thing "fits" but its way to tight to twist on, almost gauling the aluminum, and once its on there, it isnt solid feeling, there is still a good bit of wobble from left to right. The car did run fine with this cap to operating temp and didnt leak. But Im still not sure of it, doesnt feel right.

For some reason I have in my head I may need a del sol rad cap for some reason?

I can put a caliper on the rad if anyone needs any measurements or pics, its just late and I was hoping to pick up a replacement at the parts store tomorrow and try.

Thanks guys!!

 

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nice avatar picture

 

thanks, Id still love to know what cap would fit more appropriate

 

since you've tried both combinations that seem logical, why dont you take the radiator with you into a autparts store and find a cap that fits snug?

 

guess you didnt pick up on the sarcasm.

 

check to make sure its not deformed in any way.

most hondas use same radiator cap...
my aftermarket radiator was really crappy fit but it held
even supposedly OEM radiator that i have now doesnt fit autozone cap properly

 

I am not going to drain, unbolt and bring my rad to the parts desk and ask them to open packages

I may just be overthinking it, but I definetely dont trust it, it did seal with the car running to temp, but dont want to take it n the highway and have it fail on me

 

So it fit or did NOT fit? Now you're saying it sealed?

 

Dont buy ebay crap next time

 

It DID fit, just with an unusualy ammount of force

It DID seal, but I have only idled the car (not driving it yet) but the thermostat openned so it got up to temps and nothing leaked.

It just doesnt seem as solid once its spun on as I think it should be. I dont think I should be able to wobble it side to side a fair bit when its locked on...

 

Then drive the damn thing and stop worrying about "what if". Otherwise get a different rad. You only have 2 choices in this. Don't know how the original cap got away from you. Usually they have those Ebay contraptions connected by a chain.

 

Theres only a couple major sizes of rad caps. It wouldnt fit at ALL if it was the wrong size. Theres Micro, Mini and Domestic sizes (from smallest to biggest). Hondas are usually the Micro size.

 

Ya I kind of recall thinking the chain was tacky and cutting it off, and I probly ditched the cap when I removed the rad from my crx many years ago

I guess I'll run with this one and just see what happens