How hard is it to replace the radiator in a '98 CL 2.3 Manual?

Dealership wanted $550, and I almost laughed in his face.

And what are the best places to look for one on-line?

 

What kind of local shops do you have? I took my last car to one, it was about $300. Stealerships will def try to rip you a new one on part like that...

 

I was able to get a new OEM one made by Koyo on-line from Radiators.com for $130 overnighted.
I'm just hoping I can put it in myself, it didnt look that complicated when I saw it apart in the dealership's garage. Looks like it was just held on by two braces at the top and it sat in a shallow metal braket at the bottom, and had 2 hoses connecting it, and the two fans on it.
Hell, experimenting with your ride is half the fun!

 

I have not done one on my CL, but I have replaced a radiator in my wife's old '93 Accord.

It wasn't difficult at all. It just took some time to figure everything out since I didn't have a repair manual.

 

Anyone who has a '97, '98 or '99 CL may want to take a look at their radiators. Mine is a '98 and it looks like parts of the radiator are just unraveling. The plastic fins between the radiator tubes that are suppost to help dissipate heat are starting to fall out and some are getting stuck in the fans behind the radiator.

 

acura radiator's as well as other engine parts, are made with lots of plastic. That's the difference between acura and lexus. lexus uses all aluminum. I had the top cover to my radiator separate from the radiator in my legend. got mine from radiators.com too for a lil over 100. watched the guy put it in and it seems easy. all he did was drop the splash shield, remove some bolts that held in the radiator and fan, disconnected the lines and pinched them so fluid didnt leak everywhere. then he dropped it, drained the last bit of liquid, bolted the new one up. put everything back, and filled it up with coolant and water. took him less than an hour and he knew what he was doing. I figure with looking around and basic tools, it shouldnt take more than 2 1/2 hours tops.

 

Fluidyne makes a unit that will fit our cars, you might want to look into it.

 

i hear nothing but good things about fluidyne

 

Everything I've seen/heard about them has been excellent. They really make a quality product. Pricey, but you might save a decent amount of weight with the all aluminum.

 

Well, I got the new radiator installed tonight.
I thought it would be more difficult than it really was.
It only took me 1 and a half hours start to finish, and I took my time to clean the compartment from the leak and to take the fans apart and clean them really good.
The hardest part was getting the bottom hose off and back on the radiator.
Definitely worth it to save over $400.

 

doesn't seem too difficult to do. just screwing and unscrewing things.

 

Hate to bring this thread back from the dead, but does anybody have directions on how to do a radiator install?

My radiator went to shit this weekend and I want to do the install myself.

Can anyone help me out?

Thanks.