I have a 1999 Acura 3.2TL. My radiator is leaking antifreeze out of the top of the radiator. The temp gauge in the car is reading 1-2 lines below halfway which from what I understand is normal. Also there is smoke coming out from the cap and the front of the radiator. The fans don't come on even after idling for 30 minutes unless the a/c is on. Then they cycle for about 15 seconds then shut off. There are spots all over the top of the radiator and the oil cap. Is this the radiator only or is there other issues I need to look for?

 

Might want to flush it. Is the reservoir full or empty?

 

Its just where it should be. I replaced the thermostat couple weeks ago and didn't bleed the air out but I rinsed the antifreeze off of where it seemed to be seeping out from the top of the radiator and when I let it idle it was obvious that it was freshly seeping again.

 

if you have air in the system, the fans sensor can be tricked and not come on

does it look like a seam leak?
remove radiator and take to a radiator shop, see if its fix or replace
get a new cap too
burp correctly- with heater open/on, follow owner book procedure for your year
no book? www.owners.acura.com for a free download

you did the thermostat because it was running hot?
water pump status?

 

Also try to Replace the Cap its like 7-8 Bucks at Dealer....

 

Replaced cap when I did the thermostat. Replaced thermostat because coolant was boiling in reservoir and car running hot.

It is a seam leak cause it oozes out the top but it is also spraying at some point because there are dried spots of coolant all over the valve covers and the top of the radiator.

I just looked at the situation again and the electrical plug just to the right of the lower radiator hose at the thermostat was unplugged. Would that have anything to do with what I am experiencing?

 

Here are a couple of pics of what I am talking about. SOrry for the size, I couldn't get photobucket to work right.

 

is it power to the fans? do your fans work correctly now?
We have extra plugs, for cars shipped to other countries

you need to remove the rad and take to a shop- as said before
seam leaks seep, and under running pressure will spray coolant everywhere
One day soon it will dump all the coolant!
Boiling inside rad before,,melts seam sealer....

dont recall if we have plastic rads,,anyone??

have you ckd the flow rate and temp thru rad- with cap removed
is rad clogged? whats actual temp of fluid?
water pump is good?

 

That radiator cap is sitting wrong.
Cap edges should be horizontal with the Radiator very linear, Your cap in the picture seems to have Left Edge higher than Right.