Radiator leaking but what's the cause?
 

Daughter's 98 EX is leaking at the top of the radiator, along the crimped seam. Takes a while for it to do this and the car is not overheating (50 degree day) but the radiator fan would not kick on even when parked for a while (temp gauge stayed level). I ran power directly to the fan and it works. The radiator started leaking when the pressure built up in the upper hose (but you couldn't really notice it on the temp gauge). I'm wondering if it's caused by the fan not turning on by the temp switch. It would seem to me that the thermostat is working okay since it's not overheating but is the fan not kicking on soon enough allowing it to just get hot enough to cause the leaking.

Is there any past experience to say support this? What do I have to do to kick the fan on (make sure it works)? Obviously, I'm trying to avoid buying a radiator if that's not the problem.

Thanks,
Biederboat

Re: Radiator leaking but what's the cause?
 

i have a 2002 civic and the fan will never come on unless its 70F+ outside in summer weather with the car already warmed up and sitting still.

Re: Radiator leaking but what's the cause?
 

The thermostat may not be functioning properly and causing the fan to not turn on, testing that would be the first thing I do..

Re: Radiator leaking but what's the cause?
 

Okay, I'll pull the temp switch and thermostat and test them. I'm assuming that the ONLY thing that will turn the fan on is the temp switch?

So here's the bottom line, with these "crimped" on radiators, if they were subject to a bit of over-pressure (from a thermostat or fan not kicking on) to the point where they leaked a bit, can they still be okay or are they pretty much toast?

Biederboat

Re: Radiator leaking but what's the cause?
 

Looks like thermostat opened at 190, maybe a bit higher, temp switch closer to 210 or so.

Biedeboat

Re: Radiator leaking but what's the cause?
 

change recommended parts and test. if no more issues, drive. worry about the radiator later - if it still leaks even after system is colling, need to change. if not, maybe it could last.