Two bad radiators
#1
Tri State ViP Crew
Thread Starter
Two bad radiators
i had the radiator replaced with CSF radiator and one week later the bottom blow out so they replaced it and now 3 months later same thing so my question is has anybody had a good experience with this brand because i don't want them to replace it with another one is there any brand recomened thanks
#2
Have your coolant system pressure checked along with the cap.
Did the original radiator before the two blown aftermarkets, also blow the bottom of the rad out ?
Ya may wanna check to be sure that the pump is working and that there's no flow restrictions.
Did the original radiator before the two blown aftermarkets, also blow the bottom of the rad out ?
Ya may wanna check to be sure that the pump is working and that there's no flow restrictions.
#3
Tri State ViP Crew
Thread Starter
The original one started to leak i think at the bottom but the aftermarket one just came apart at the bottom base but the second one im not sure yet and i was going to change the timing belt soon i got 98000 ten years old but how is that brand
Last edited by CAB NY; 06-14-2013 at 12:10 PM.
#4
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i had the radiator replaced with CSF radiator and one week later the bottom blow out so they replaced it and now 3 months later same thing so my question is has anybody had a good experience with this brand because i don't want them to replace it with another one is there any brand recomened thanks
#5
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Could be the first OEM just gave out after 10 years and the second one was just bad?
Any sort of warranty on the replacement?
Any sort of warranty on the replacement?
#6
radiator blow out...........
Hey Cab NY, I'm assuming that a competent shop has done the radiator replacement work for ya. Hopefully, they have checked basic things such as pressure checking/burping the coolant system and also verifing that the T-stat/cooling fans are all working properly. (Honda 2-stage T-stat is best)
Was there any signs of a blown head gasket ? Try replacing the bottom rubber isolator mounts which the rad rests upon. If the failure isn't due to excessive heat or pressure, then maybe it was because of stress related fracturing from harsh vibration ???
I've used the "CSF" branded radiator which is made in Mexico and sold through many local auto parts stores as it's a low cost replacement option. I installed one in my old beater, a '95 Accord. It was cheap and kinda generic, but my biggest concern was the lack of a drain petcock.
One thing to keep in mind....while the rad itself may be replaced free, how about the potential over-heating damage to the motor, resulting from the failures ????
#7
As far as I know, csf is the cheapest radiator out there, but I've put in a lot of them over the years with no real problems. The first thing that I thought of was head gaskets, like 3.2TLc mentioned, but I don't think you would have gone 3 months if that were true. You could try spectra or tyc for a little more money, but I don't really know if they are any better. At least with a different brand you could rule out a bad production run of csf. It does occasionally happen.
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#8
Tri State ViP Crew
Thread Starter
the OEM was just done over time because it was losing coolant over two or three months and you could smell it but no leak on the ground but white residue on the bottom base but the bottom blow out on first replacement and the second i'll check tomorrow where its leaking from and they will replace it but i like to drive long distance and don't want to get stuck somewhere with another bad one from the same company
#9
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I would definitely check the base mounts where the radiator sits like 3.2TLc stated. Don't think it could be related to head gasket since if that was the case you would be burning antifreeze and notice due to white smoke. It is a pressurized system but not enough pressure I believe to blow out the bottom of a radiator unless radiator was defective. This is my opinion. Not saying any one else is wrong. I could be wrong myself.
#10
Moderator
Get the OEM, Dont look back...
I dont trust Aftermarket Radiators on any Car.. Always go for OEM on Radiators, your original Lasted 10 years for a Reason.
I dont trust Aftermarket Radiators on any Car.. Always go for OEM on Radiators, your original Lasted 10 years for a Reason.
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JohnieG87 (06-14-2013)
#12
Tri State ViP Crew
Thread Starter
don't know if there is a connection but the first radiator i had installed the same day i drove 150 miles one way straight to Atlantic City and back the next day and put the car in the garage and it sat for a week then i drove for about 20 minutes turned off the car and the anti-freeze just started coming out it separated at the bottom where the plastic and metal connect after one week under warranty had it replaced and for 3 months no problem so i changed my oil and everything looked fine then i made the same trip again same thing car in the garage but we had a heavy rain and wind from the storm so i saw water on the floor but thought it came from under the door so i didn't think about it until the next weekend i was changing my rotors and jacked the car up and saw the anti-freeze dripping again but this one can't tell where its coming from but i realize both leaks came after a long drive could that be the cause
Thanks
Thanks
Last edited by CAB NY; 06-18-2013 at 06:15 PM.
#13
Hey CAB NY, what all have ya done recently ?
Was the cooling system pressure checked and the cooling fans operational ?
IMO, long trips are easier on the cooling system then short stop and go city driving.
So, are ya gonna go with another CSF.....3rd times a charm ????
Put a new Honda 2 stage T-stat in that puppie and bleed the air from the system.
Was the cooling system pressure checked and the cooling fans operational ?
IMO, long trips are easier on the cooling system then short stop and go city driving.
So, are ya gonna go with another CSF.....3rd times a charm ????
Put a new Honda 2 stage T-stat in that puppie and bleed the air from the system.
#14
Tri State ViP Crew
Thread Starter
i took the radiator out myself and was going to look for a different brand but the shop call me that put the first 2 in and told me to bring the radiator back and try one more if it doesn't work i get a refund so in put the new in myself which i should of done before but it was cold outside so we'll see
#15
Tri State ViP Crew
Thread Starter
back again with the same BS after the first two bad CSF radiators in 2013 that went bad and replaced by warranty two months ago third one started to leak again so the store replace it again for free and yestarday that one blew so I'm done with the CSF brand basically I only paid for one out of four so what would be a good brand to go with that is reasonable thanks
Last edited by CAB NY; 08-30-2015 at 10:02 PM.
#16
Moderator
Not to sound repetitive but: GET THE OEM!!! Its like 90 bucks at rockauto.com for gods sake.
Mine gave out a couple of months ago.. The stock one that had +14 years.. Replaced it with a brand new OEM radiator. Zero Problems so far.
Mine gave out a couple of months ago.. The stock one that had +14 years.. Replaced it with a brand new OEM radiator. Zero Problems so far.
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justnspace (08-30-2015)
#23
Moderator
Yeah and even the package is pretty neat.. Sadly I didn´t do a diy on its replacement
CAB NY remember that there are 2 different Radiator Models.. One for the TL-S and one for the TL-p if yours is a TL-S you need the one that states "Sensor" which is a hole for the Fan Sensor C.. If you get a TL-S Radiator by mistake you can still use it since the Sensor Plug is threaded and plugged by the factory.. But you wont get lucky the other way around.
CAB NY remember that there are 2 different Radiator Models.. One for the TL-S and one for the TL-p if yours is a TL-S you need the one that states "Sensor" which is a hole for the Fan Sensor C.. If you get a TL-S Radiator by mistake you can still use it since the Sensor Plug is threaded and plugged by the factory.. But you wont get lucky the other way around.
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justnspace (08-30-2015)
#25
Senior Moderator
I recently got a Denso radiator (last week) from Amazon. 70 free shipping or something!
#26
Tri State ViP Crew
Thread Starter
Took the other one back and they exchanged it again but I got the Denso instead no charge so I put it in yestarday so
I'll see what happens also they told me I had to use Honda anti freeze which sounds crazy to me
I'll see what happens also they told me I had to use Honda anti freeze which sounds crazy to me
#27
Tri State ViP Crew
Thread Starter
Took the other one back and they exchanged it again but I got the Denso instead no charge so I put it in yestarday so
I'll see what happens also they told me I had to use Honda anti freeze which sounds crazy to me any truth to that
I'll see what happens also they told me I had to use Honda anti freeze which sounds crazy to me any truth to that
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