Do NOT buy an aftermarket one made by CSF, they are absolute GARBAGE. The original radiator on my 98' accord started leaking & I called a honda tech friend of mine who does work on the side. He asked me if I wanted a Honda radiator or aftermarket which was listed for $150 but I'd only pay his cost: $100. So, you know which one I chose, and what a POS. It started leaking underneath within 3 days, I brought it back lastnight & he tightened the 2 couplings underneath & pressure tested it, no more leaks. Just now my daughter came home & now I see coolant coming out from the top of the radiator! As if there's a crack. What crap, but I've learned a BIG lesson, now I know that if the radiator in my TLS ever goes I'm getting a new one from ACURA/HONDA. I can't believe CSF is still in business selling junk.

 

^^^I have seen alot of aftermarket radiator and they are absolutely crap in term of build quality except for racing radiator.

 

Hopefully the top leak is just the overflow hose. Mine leaked when the car was brand new and a ziptie fixed it.

 

psst. the OEM one from acura is tooo expensive.

 

I bought the cheapest replacement rad possible for my CL when I had it. Worked fine for the 40k miles I put on it.

 

^Op did something wrong OEM and aftermarket are typically pretty close in quality if you get the right one. Never had issues with aftermarket rads that installed in any of my cars. ALso it is a good idea to replace the cap when you change out the rad... I have always got mine from here

http://www.radiatorexpress.com
they have a local distro center so it is easy to get if needed abnd life time warranty for '98 accord V6 $95 with lifetime warranty. 4CL should be same price.

 

I looked closely at it, it may be the top hose leaking where it connects to the radiator neck. Going to replace the factory clamp which is 14 years old & has 271,000!

 

271,000?

 

 

 

:racecar:

 

How long do OEM radiators generally last? Just curious.

 

Yup, 271,000 miles on my 98" Accord V6, bought it brand new with 8 miles.

 

never had a problem with csf radiators

 

the one in my 94 accord is original. Car is 19 years old......

 

I didn't have a chance to replace the top hose clamp yet but the leak stopped. The recovery tank is still full but I'll keep an eye on it. This car is on its second starter, 3rd alternator, 3rd or 4th battery, 3rd transmission, lord knows how many air filters & oil has always been changed every 3,000/4,000 miles. Many other things done to the car maintenence wise but it keeps running, my 19 year old daughter drives it, its a safe car for her.