My 1990 Honda Accord has a crack in its radiator, as we discovered today when we looked for the source of the steam coming out of my hood. It’s a crack along the front of the radiator.
It’s a plastic radiator; I’m not sure if it has an aluminum core or not. It’s a 5-speed with A/C.
Do I have any options (e.g. patching or sealing the crack somehow) besides replacing the radiator at a cost of about $300? Money’s a little tight right now …
Thanks,
S.
You could try a commercial leak stopper. You can get it at pretty much any auto store/wal-mart. It’s little pellets that you put into the raditor, turn on the engine and let it warm up, and they SHOUD find there way into the crack and fill it. It’s probably worth a try.
If it’s aluminum and plastic, repairing it is likely out of the question.
If you are so inclined to replace it, I can recommend a website where I got my radiator (94 Escort). Locally, the cheapest one I could find was $180. Through the website it was $99.95 + shipping.
I recently had to buy another one after smashing the front end of my car. I placed the order on Wednesday morning and it was on my doorstep Friday afternoon!
I did a quick check on yours and they have two - $99.95 & $109.95.
I used generic 1990 Hona Accord info on the site since I don’t the exact details of your car (DX or LX, engine size, etc).
You could probably replace it yourself and save a bundle.
If I can do it, ANYBODY can!
If it’s where the plastic “tank” (kind of a goofy name for the end of a radiator, but that’s what it’s called) meets the metal core, it may be possible to gently re-crimp the connection with pliers - there’s usally a row of tabs or clips.
I’ve seen tragic results from using pour-in leak stoppers. They have a way of plugging radiator leaks and clogging internal coolant passages inside the engine. Also, it always seems to be that once you plug one leak in a radiator, another opens up.
I’d bite the bullet and buy a new radiator now. Today’s radiator leak could be tomorrow’s blown head gasket and warped head - way more expensive than a radiator.
If you’re mechanically inclined, radiators without automatic transmission coolers are usually pretty simple to swap - disconnect the hoses, and a couple bolts at the top. If you’re unlucky, there may be bolts on the sides or at the bottom. Once the bolts are out, they’ll generally just lift straight out and the fan is often attached to it with four or so screws. While you’re at it, replace the hoses. You’ve already got one end off, might as well take off the other end and have that much less to worry about.