When is it Time to change Radiator?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,209
Likes: 0
From: 650 (SC_RWC) CA
Rep Power: 332 
When is it Time to change Radiator? What are the signs that its time to change it. I heard something baout when you seen burn marks 
than that's when its dying? If you have to change it out, should you replace with OEM or something betta. I am a daily driver/performance, not strickly performance.
Help me out guys.
than that's when its dying? If you have to change it out, should you replace with OEM or something betta. I am a daily driver/performance, not strickly performance.Help me out guys.
Last edited by chicohonda02; Apr 29, 2005 at 12:37 PM.
I spend way too much time on this website
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From: Poughkeepsie, NY
Rep Power: 0 if you see any corrosion or smell/ see the green stuff... its time to change... if you smell burning radiator fluid you might need a new head gasket.... BTW changing a rad is really easy (havent done it on my vic yet though.. so i cant say any thing about our car... but most are easy)
also change thermostat at the same time its always a good idea
also change thermostat at the same time its always a good idea
My SL65 rim, because a rim is all I can afford
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,818
Likes: 0
From: Medina Ohio
Rep Power: 319 
Well, that depends what is wrong.
Check the reservoir, is it low or have had to add fluid? If you are losing fluid, then it is usually one of three places.
1.The easiest is the tubing between the block and the radiator, check that, make sure there is no cracks and check to see if the tubes are leaking at the ends. Best if you do this while the car is either running and warm just got turned off, this way the fluid is flowing and you can see it leak.
2. The radiator it's self can start leaking, this is kind of hard find, but the easy way is to put some plastic under your car when you get home, let it sit over night on top of the plastic, and check to see if any antifreeze is on the plastic.
3. This is the worst case, check this one first, antifreeze could be heading into the engine. Check your oil, if anti freeze has gotten into it, it will turn a dark whitish color. another easy way to tell is to stand behind your car when it is running, if there is white stuff and it smells kind of sweet. If this is the case you probably are looking at a new head gasket. Do NOT run your car in this condition. Anti freeze explodes much more violently than gas and can easily crack your heads, it also kills bearing and can easily seize an engine in minutes.
As for your burn marks, where exactly are you looking for burn marks? I usually wait to change my radiator until I can easily tell fluid is coming out, see number 2, or once I actually heard it explode inside the car.
Check the reservoir, is it low or have had to add fluid? If you are losing fluid, then it is usually one of three places.
1.The easiest is the tubing between the block and the radiator, check that, make sure there is no cracks and check to see if the tubes are leaking at the ends. Best if you do this while the car is either running and warm just got turned off, this way the fluid is flowing and you can see it leak.
2. The radiator it's self can start leaking, this is kind of hard find, but the easy way is to put some plastic under your car when you get home, let it sit over night on top of the plastic, and check to see if any antifreeze is on the plastic.
3. This is the worst case, check this one first, antifreeze could be heading into the engine. Check your oil, if anti freeze has gotten into it, it will turn a dark whitish color. another easy way to tell is to stand behind your car when it is running, if there is white stuff and it smells kind of sweet. If this is the case you probably are looking at a new head gasket. Do NOT run your car in this condition. Anti freeze explodes much more violently than gas and can easily crack your heads, it also kills bearing and can easily seize an engine in minutes.
As for your burn marks, where exactly are you looking for burn marks? I usually wait to change my radiator until I can easily tell fluid is coming out, see number 2, or once I actually heard it explode inside the car.
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
thana
Overheating or loss of coolant, heater blowing cold
11
Jun 15, 2020 07:05 PM
hokiedad4
7th Generation Civic 2001 - 2005
1
May 3, 2015 10:06 PM
Unleaded
General Honda Civic Forum Archive.
9
Jun 26, 2007 09:25 PM
