Savio

Hello all,


My roommate informed me that her car is smoking and she says it coming from the radiator area. The car is not leaking coolant or anything. It's only the area to the front near the radiator and no where near the engine block. Is there anything else I can check when I get home? She wants to take it in to the shop but I want to cover all basis so she doesn't get taken there.


Thanks!


Savio

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

how do you know it isn't leaking coolant??? did you pressure check it??? what does the smoke smell like??? if it smells like exhaust she could have an exhaust leak somewhere.. maybe the header etc... is it wet out??? colder water could have splashed on something hot and caused steam...

SodaLuvr

Usually if coolant leaks onto a hot radiator, it will cause a huge cloud of steam.

Check for leaks.

Savio

found the culprit...the radiator is cracked.

SodaLuvr

Hmm.

2.1 hours of labor according to my software. I'm sure you can get a radiator for less than $200 from 1-800 Radiators.

You gonna fix it for her?

Savio

It doesn't look to be that hard....what do you think?

SodaLuvr

Go for it, but make sure you replace the thermostat and hoses while you are at it. You wouldn't want to do the job and have a hose blow out a week later.

Here are the instructions:



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Radiator
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Fig. 1: Exploded view of the radiator and related system components

CAUTION
Never open a radiator cap or cooling system when the coolant temperature is above 100°F (38°C). Avoid physical contact at all times, wear protective clothing and eye protection. Always drain coolant into a sealable container. If spillage occurs take care to clean the spill as quickly as possible.

1. Drain the coolant into a sealable container by loosening the radiator drain plug.
2. Remove the upper and lower radiator hoses.
3. If equipped with an automatic transaxle, place a separate sealable drain container under the transaxle Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) cooling lines and disconnect, drain and plug the lines and radiator fittings.
4. Detach the electrical connectors from the radiator cooling fans.
5. Remove the upper radiator support brackets and cushion assemblies.
6. Carefully lift the radiator upward and away from the vehicle.
7. Remove the fasteners that secure the cooling fans to the radiator.

To install:
8. Install the radiator in the reverse order of disassembly.
9. Once installed open the bleed valve on the thermostat housing 1⁄2 a turn.
10. Set the heater to the "full hot" position.
11. Fill the cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of a suitable coolant and water and bleed the air out of the system as necessary. Alternately squeeze the upper and lower radiator hoses to help force out any trapped air pockets. Close the bleed valve once a steady stream of coolant is visible.

NOTE: When mixing a 50/50 solution of coolant and water, using distilled water instead of regular tap water may help prevent the cooling system from internal deposit build-up.

12. With the radiator cap partially installed, start the engine, and allow the engine to run until the cooling fan runs two times. Turn the engine off and top up the cooling system and overflow reservoir as necessary.
13. Close the radiator cap, restart the engine and check for leaks.

Ken1997TL

(sigh)

Pics of the roommate first, then pics of the radiator

AznX TL

you can get an accord koyo radiator off ebay for under $100 shipped