chitownRLer

So I took my local Car X shop that my friend recommended since my car was steaming/smoking under the hood and I smelled the coolant when I was driving my car and they said they would check the radiator for free....conclusion is that i need to replace the radiator since there is a crack all along the top of the radiator, just under neath the foam. Hahaha, I knew it couldn't be just the radiator cap. Times like these with the economy and gas prices(although its been way down lately) makes me wonder if I made the right choice or will purchase another luxury vehicle. Anyways, Car X quoted me $328.45 for OEM radiator and $153 for labor plus 25 tax which totals $506....I guess this isn't too bad of a price to get the radiator replaced, right?

chitownRLer

Are Koyo radiators from rockauto.com any good? For $185 I am thinking of replacing oem with this.

Jimmay

i originally bought mine from them, and i damaged it so i had to purchase another. It took me about 1.5 hours to replace. It simple and saves you a ton.

chitownRLer

Thanks Jimmay! Im thinking of ordering the koyos then having some one putting it in for $100. Is $100 fair price for putting in radiator?

Also, Im thinking of replacing the hoses or thermostat. do you recommend? also Do I need to get Acura OEM thermostat or does it matter?

GSARL

I have the same exact leak,but I hav'nt gotten around to fixing it yet..It just happened a couple of days ago..let me know how it goes...$$$

Jimmay

You might as well do it all at once. I didn't because I'm cheap, the hoses looked fine so I didn't bother. I would say do it yourself if you can...save yourself the 100 dollars. You just have to watch when putting it in that you don't damage the fins on the new radiator

GSARL

I got a price from my local mechanic...OEM radiator 280.00 installed....I,m replacing mine next week

chitownRLer

G sarl, I paid a $100 for the mechanic to put it in and $185 for Koyo radiator from Rockauto.com. The mechanic told me that the Koyo radiator that I had looked to be "better" than the OEM. I'd save yourself some money and replace it with Koyo. Be aware, there are other Koyo's out there for like $125 but don't buy those as they are not good. Get it from Rockauto.com. shipping was only like $10 for me.

chitownRLer

Also, highly recommed replacing the upper and lower radiator hoses while you are in there but don't skimp on the hose...use the Genuine Acura OEM hoses, I paid 24.99 for upper and 19.99 for lower hoses. you can get it cheaper from acuraautomotive.org or acura or peoria...but not sure what the shipping costs are.

GSARL

I assume that radiator fits perfectly? no mods needed

I will go to the dealer and get those hoses....good looking out....Thanks

GSARL

by any chance do you have a pic of it,I could"nt find one on the site...or maybe a pic of it installed?

SeamusNH

I replaced my radiator in my 96 RL. It worked fine for 18 months until I parted out the car; the radiator is in a 97 RL a guy from RI had an accident in. He's got 3/4 of the front end of my old car. I had the luxury of doing over a couple of days as I had another car to drive... For instructions and diagrams, download the tech manual at www.pdftown.com. Search on "Acura RL". It is a 40 MB download. Free. Chapter 10 has the info on the radiator.

chitownRLer

yeah, no mod needed....everything worked out the only thing is that the OEM had these foams stuck to the oem radiator but you don't need it.

chitownRLer

i could and will but you will have to wait couple of days...my blackberry does not have camera so its a bit of pain to post pic quick but i'd be happy to when i find time.

GSARL

Thanks....