Alright I got everything put back on the car. Put oil back in it and started her up. Started noticing just a tiny bit of whitish smoke coming from the header area. Its not an exhaust leak im 99% sure. Letting the car just idle all of a sudden something pops and starts blowing air out. What it was is the top right corner of my radiator. The black piece that the cap connects to. I could feel the air blowing out of it. What caused this and what is it? How do I fix this? Thanks for any help.

 

And actually. I do see a few cracks in the header but I dont think that it would cause this to happen.

 

Replace header and radiator.

 

The tiny bit of smoke I seen didnt look like it was coming from the cracks. Looked like it was coming from where it connects to the head but idk.

 

Also looks like there is a little bit of oily substance in my coolant overflow tank. The sides of the white tank on the inside are all nasty.

 

Possible blown headgasket.

And if you have cracks in your header it should be replaced.

 

Im replacing the header and the radiator. After that how can I tell if I have a blown head gasket? Also, should I get a oem radiator or should I get all aluminum. And how do I find an all aluminum radiator for the 2000 si? I hear they're hard to find for this car. Thanks

 

And what could have caused the radiator to blow? Old age? Coolant didnt spray everywhere or anything like that.

 

What is the cause? It's old. I hope you don't think parts last forever?

 

Why no pictures and videos?

 

I dont think parts past forever haha. Im asking cause I didnt know if there could be another cause of it. The car wasnt over heating. Wasnt even to temp. Yet. But here is a pic. And no videos bc I didnt think to first grab my phone when this happened.

 

Its the corner that was blowing air out