Radiator cracked and leaking...fixable?

[1989accordaz]

There is a small crack on the top of the radiator, where the cap is mounted on. Has anybody tried some sort of sealant for something small like this?

If so what have you used.

Thanks in advance.

[B16KILLA]

I forgot what it's called but theres a bottle of aluminum shavings you can buy from the autoparts store, thers several kinds . I've used before on other cars but raditors for our cars are so cheap just get a new one.

[Deadhead]

Get a new one. I was talking to my auto instructor about those sealant things, and he said that they actually will attatch to things other than JUST the leak. They reduce the cooling capacity of the radiator.

I'd just go for a nice new aluminum one :D

[AccordEpicenter]

i had an accord once that some asshole put soo much stop leak in it, it ended up plugging the coolant passages in the headgasket shut. Warped the head straight up in the middle of the head .11" (THATS FREAKING HUGE WARP)

[86-accord-lxi]

Dude, I just had the same problem recently, I tried using marine epoxy
to seal the crack, It slowed it down, But still leaked. I ended up getting
a new one on ebay with a lifetime warranty for $75 with shipping ! The radiators on these cars are pretty easy to replace, drain the radiator, dissconnect the wiring harnesses to the cooling fans, disconnect and plug the transmission cooling lines, disconnect and remove upper and lower radiator hoses, remove the 2 mounting bolts on the top left and right sides
Then push the radiator with fans attached, or not, towards the engine, Then lift it out. I removed mine with the fans attached, But I had to remove the whole metal piece that the hood latch attaches to. (the piece with the weather strip on it) There wasn't enough clearance between the radiator and engine with all the a/c crap in the way. Good luck !

[ghettogeddy]

new one the bars stop leak only works on all metal radiators it actually made my leak worse 100 bucks for a new one is nothing and its a very easy job to swap um also make sure u get a dual row not a single

[86-accord-lxi]

make sure u get a dual row not a single
I second that. Mine is dual row, with a lifetime warranty, It was only
$75 including shipping on ebay. The sellers name is theradiatorconnection
e mail is : [email protected]

[88Accord-DX]

This is a crazy coincidence. My radiator fans aren't working when they should. Well, sometimes they will. I damn near got my engine too hot & could have cost me some serious money. I beleive my thermostatic sensor on the bottom of the radiator is on the blink.

Anyhow, my radiator built up so much pressure that it split & cracked the plastic piece on top of the radiator .... Now I have to get a new radiator. I'm thinking of ebay, as mentioned.

BTW- IF the radiator cracks, you should take it to a radiator shop to see if they can replace the plastic peice on it or buy a new one. There isn't no quick fix for it.

[1989accordaz]

Well, after reading all yout posts I decided to go for a new one. Thanks for all the info and contacts. Yes, it will be a dual.

Thanks!

[ghettogeddy]

well i got my koyo from 1800radiator for 100 plus some change they offer free next day shipping i belive

[Oldblueaccord]

You can keep the cap loose as well so it wont build up pressure as much. Just keep it on enough to keep the water in it. It wont hurt a thing until it gets fixed.


wp

[89AccordResto]

New radiators are cheap for this car, don't even bother with that crap. Just get a new one. They're like $80 plus shipping from rockauto.com

[chainz]

mine also developed a leak in the same place. I also ebay'd a new one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=8038493172&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT
put it in like 3 weeks ago... so far so good.

[MessyHonda]

yeah you should go all out and get that koyo radiator...from wut i heard members say on the board...they cool 30% better than stock...making your car run cooler thus making all your engine parts last longer...not a bad investment...when my mom had the car she got the radiator replace like 2 times...if it goes out of me(knock on wood) i will get one of thoes koyo

[88Accord-DX]

I called around for radiator prices, going to get a new one with lifetime warranty. $99 at O'Reillys.

Ebay would have been cheaper, but with a few extra bones, can take it back if it breaks again.

[pmpete]

Yeah its a good idea to go for the new one. Mine cracked the same way. I got one from Advance for about 120. Installed it in an evening in the driveway with a drop light and a small amount of knuckle meat.
Paul

[A20A1]

Don't use the radiator sealers.

There are external repair kits that are like fiberglass or are fiberglass.

They hold for about a month then the crack in the radiator just expands beyond its ability to hold and you get another leak.

[ghettogeddy]

so just dont fix craced radiators just replace them plus there cheap anyways but go with a koya daul row not just a regular single row replacement it will keep yor motor cooler

[MessyHonda]

so just dont fix craced radiators just replace them plus there cheap anyways but go with a koya daul row not just a regular single row replacement it will keep yor motor cooler

yup koyo is good...my temp does not go up...it took like 15 mins to get the car hot when i installed it....i had to rev it to 2500 RPM to get the fans to kick in