Hello and thanks for reading my post. I am hoping for some quick advice....I am not an experienced mechanic (understatement). My question is...how difficult is it to replace the radiator in my 2008 Acura TL? A transmission coolant line burst and fluid was leaking profusely all over the place. Luckily I was close to home and didn't do any damage to my transmission. I had the car towed to a auto repair shop and was quoted $900+ dollars to have the radiator replaced (plus another $500 for the lines, tow and diagnosis).

I can find a radiator online for well under $200....is this too big of a task to take on?

Thanks for your advice....

 

it's one of the easiest task ever!!
its completely plug and play.

you uninstall the old one and put it back together with the new one!
make sure you have plenty of old towels or rags handy, as coolant will spill as soon as you disconnect the two coolant hoses.
then remove reservoir tank.
and the hardest part will be reaching a bolt holding in the fans.

 

$900???! Wow. They see a customer vulnerable with liquid squirting out the car and immediately drool uncontrollably.
How do these thieves stay in business?

 

by exactly that! stealing people's hard earned monies

 

Thanks for the response....I appreciate it. I'll take your advice and give it a shot. Thanks!

 

Unfortunately I have to do this also. I'm going on vacation in a couple of days, but when I get back it's on my list of things to do.

Do you know where the leak occurred? Did one of the lines burst, or did the fitting at the bottom of the radiator come loose? I haven't had a major leak just yet. Last week I found wet marks on the driveway where I park the car. I blotted some of the newer looking spots and the fluid was red, so I knew it was ATF. I took it to a tranny shop and they said it was leaking at the transmission fitting at the bottom of the radiator. The guy at the shop said they put some new o-rings on it and set it back into place. I picked it up and for a day it looked good, no more leaks. But then on the second day, another drip mark on the driveway.

I'm surprised with all the diy videos on the internet and on this site that there hasn't been one posted on how to replace the radiator. I'm more of a weekend mechanic. I think I should be able to do this without too many issues. I've done some checking and looked at pics of the radiator with the fans in place to give me an idea where all the screws are that hold everything in place. I saw a video where the guy who made the video had a good tip. He said to use old spark plugs to plug up the transmission lines after you disconnect them so the ATF doesn't leak all over you when you're working under the car.

I'm going to order the Denso radiator. Denso makes the OEM radiator, so I'm hoping their aftermarket radiator is close to the same quality as their OEM one is. The one for the 07-08 TL's is part number 221-3241. Rock Auto has it for a good price. With their 5% discount it comes to about $135 shipped. They are a good retailer, so if anything is wrong with the one they send I won't have a problem getting a replacement. I'm also going to replace the temp sender, radiator cap and the petcock with new OEM parts.

 

They ain't called stealerships fa nuttin !!
.
.

 

it probably is on youtube.
the J32/J35 has been used for more than 10 years

 

I'm pretty sure the OEM radiator is Denso brand.

 

^OEM = DENSO

 

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https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-p...heated-943542/

hey kbork85, i had to replace my radiator and with the help from everyone here, it's not that hard. Just make sure you dedicate a whole day so you go slow and not rush things. Get the DENSO radiator everyone is saying. Don't make the mistake i did with getting one at autozone (spectre premium $180). Make sure you use type 2 coolant (blue color one) i think dealer will sells it for $22 dollars. I would recommend getting 2 1gallon. see if they'll sell it 2 for $40 (doesn't hurt to ask).

I also would recommend changing the thermostat (make sure the little pin hole is facing upward). The hardest part is getting that upper radiator hose off to the thermostat housing (mine was caked on)

like tbirdman said, you can use old spark plugs to plug up the atf lines so it doesn't go everywhere. I think it was eric the car guy from youtube that did this. (he is awesome i watch his videos all the time with car work)

Also after installing the new radiator, make sure you burp the system (wait until the 2 fans come on) and have plenty of rags ready.

If you lived in Arlington, TX i would help you do it. I love working on cars on my free time even simple oil changes for my friends i don't charge them

Now i need some one to help me with water pump and timing belt, i think she is over due at 107k miles

 

Sorry to re open an old thread, just wanted to ask @yenracer, why do you said that the spectra radiator was a mistake? it's a bad radiator?

 

For an unexperienced, new person who has never done this, it's not easy. You have to find the bolts and then get adequate tools to replace it. My recommendation, before you begin, is to get a Haynes manual. That will help immensely.

 

The job is pretty straightforward but some of the connections can be a pain in the ass to reach.....when in doubt take pictures before you disconnect.