The drivers side cooling fan died. The mechanic was removing the radiator to replace the fan and the upper plastic part where the hose connects broke off. The plastic is very brittle which is not surprising since it is 12 years old.

So I need to replace the radiator. An Acura (Denso) radiator is close to $500! An aftermarket one is ~$150. Are aftermarket radiators decent for the RL?

 

Replaced mine when I first got my car almost 2 years ago with an aftermarket rad & I've had no issues at all..

 

Get a Denso one on Amazon for much cheaper

 

The parts department already ordered one that should be in on Monday. I don't know what brand it is but I will post it when I find out.

 

denso radiator can also be found for $100-150 at rockauto

 

I work for a Honda dealer and I let my parts manager order the radiator. He ordered it before I had time to do any research. He already ordered it from some radiator place so I honestly have no idea what brand it is. At this point I am sorta stuck with whatever comes. Maybe I will get lucky and it will be a Denso.

 

Can't imagine how a radiator would need to be brand/make specific. Seems like a pretty universal system.

 

I agree. I was just checking because some parts you should get OEM and not skimp. I learned that the hard way with the RL front struts. The aftermarket ones barely lasted a year. I can't imagine a radiator being an issue using aftermarket but I have learned to always ask.

 

Thats a sound process for sure.

 

i think OEM/close to OEM is more about build quality to me.

I'm sure there are quality aftermarket ones as well.

 

I recently had to replace mine. I opted for the denso one on my mechanic & close friend's advice. He said he's had to warranty the cheapo (i.e. Chinese) ones on numerous occasions.

 

Yeah, you definitely need a quality manufacturer, but I meant you shouldn't need the factory/Honda part.

 

Not sure of the brand, but they replaced mine with the after-market one (w lifetime warranty) and so far it works good.

 

I didn't get a chance to see what brand radiator it was. It came from 1-800-radiator. They include a lifetime warranty. Hopefully I won't need the warranty but at least it is there if I do.

 

Did you verify the plastic is very brittle? Or was the mechanic just yanking away on it, and when it broke, claimed it was very brittle?

 

Great point! I imagine I could have pushed the issue but since I work there it wasn't worth it. I did see how much the plastic had changed color and it did appear to be brittle. The radiator wasn't that expensive and working on 12 year old 150K+ cars I always expect more than the original estimate in New England. Everything is always rusted and once you turn one rusted nut I can almost guarantee something else it going to go. It is part of living in the rust belt with an older car. I am not going to hold my tech to the fire because I imagine if it was a solid radiator it wouldn't have happened.