Help: Radiator Parts

[rxblitzrx]

I'm having radiator trouble with typical symptoms:

1. The temp rises when idle but drops back when you rev a little.

2. I had to fill the overflow reservoir since it was bone dry and add 1 liter of water into the radiator before it overflowed.


My mechanic quoted me these prices vs (my findings)

[oem parts]
Radiator Cap $18.06 ($10.04)
Upper Hose $20.49 ($13.13)
Lower Hose $25.62 ($14.24)
Thermostat $22.59 ($12.55)

[aftermarket]
Radiator $175.00 ($100.80)
Coolant $18.00
Labor $150.00

Total with tax $452.84


I wanted to buy some of this stuff myself to save some money.

Questions:
1. Do I need to buy new clamps (for the hoses), or can I just buy the lower/upper hoses. I'm curious why my findings are much cheaper than his prices, other than the fact that he's trying to turn a profit.

2. The radiator I found is a cheapy. CSF brand, single row with aluminum core. Will there be any issues or missing parts if I buy this and bring it to my mechanic to install?

3. If I keep adding water to the radiator can I drive it around for a couple more months? I only drive about 15 miles a day.

Thanks for your help!

[Mr GSR]

If you want to save a bit of money, you can do all this yourself:

1. Drain the radiator, there is a little pet-cock on the bottom of the radiator. I believe it is white plastic. It lets all the coolant out
2. Take off the hoses.
3. T ake off the thermostat housing, it is on the head area attached to the end of the upper radiator hose. Be sure to clean off ALL the old gasket.
4. Put in new thermostat. Make sure this seals well, but really not to hard.
5. Take fans off radiator, the wires just clip together and there is a plate that colers the top of the radiator, but this is still all pretty easy.
6. Put in new radiator, just like removal only in reverse.
7. Attach new hoses.... I like the hose clamps that have the bolt/screw tightener that you can get at any parts store.
8. Put in 50/50 coolant/water mix. Use distilled water if you can. It doesn't have chlorine in it.
9. Let car idle without radiator cap on for a while to remove all bubbles.
10. Top off overfill bottle.
11. Put on cap.
11. Marvel at yourself and your accomplishment.

If you have trouble, one of the stickies has an Integra Manual that will give you step by step instruction, you just have to scan through it a touch.

[rxblitzrx]

yeah, it sounds easy enough but I don't even own a screwdriver anymore. i'll just have to eat the labor costs on this one. any thoughts on the three questions i asked?

[STLAcura]

NO, you don't need the clamps..the shop should have the clamps and throw it on there themselves and if they don't..lol then find another shop, what shop doesn't have hose clamps.

As for your second question, try and find one specifically for a Integra or close to it as possible, as your technician might encounter fitment issues, if that's what you're asking.

And third, don't ever run your car on just plain water.

[rxblitzrx]

Cool thanks for the help. Hopefully I won't run into any more major issues for another year. I'm riding on 1999 with 177k miles.

[Mr GSR]

If they quote you a price, ask them if it includes ALL parts and labor. At Big 10, it did include stuff like that, but not all shops run like that.

Get the proper radiator for your car, if you think it's shitty.... pass onthat one. If you want to stay cheap and OEM try a junkyard.

As STLAcura said, don't run only water. If your adding a lot of coolant here and there just keep a bottle of 50/50 with you. Or mix your own and keep it with you.

[rxblitzrx]

After adding the water to my radiator, I'm not having any overheating issues. I'm starting to wonder if my mechanic is lying about a cracked radiator.

If it's cracked, I should be able to see signs such as steam and overheating right?

[STLAcura]

No, water won't cause it to overheat..in fact, it's the best heat transfer..better then a 50/50 mix, they say...but straight water only would cause rust and scaling to form inside your block and in your water jackets, passages, wherever the coolant travels...without the anti-freeze, you're giving up these additives.

[rxblitzrx]

thanks for the tips. i'll keep some oem 50/50 with me for the next year. so far, i've had no more issues... not even steam coming out of the bay!

hopefully it will last another year!

[STLAcura]

So it was the radiator that fixed your problem or..?

[rxblitzrx]

haven't fixed it yet.

I used to see steam coming out of the engine everyday. I was told that I'm leaking power steering fluid and clutch fluid at my last major service. I can vouche for the clutch fluid because I've been refilling it periodically. The power steering fluid looks a little low these days so that's probably true too.

The radiator has never been an issue, but because of the steam, it's possible that it's leaking/cracked. I didn't have overheating issues till recently, but after filling it with some water, it's been running fine. I don't even see any steam coming out anymore.

Therefore, I plan to just leave it alone, checking for steam maybe once a week and watching the overflow reservoir level. If it doesn't blow up or cause some other non-functional issue, then I'm just going to leave it be. =)