Radiator Leak

[IntegrasAreBest]

Ok so here's the deal, the radiator in my integra gsr is squirting at high rpms. Its not coming from the cap it's coming from the top of the radiator. I need a new rad right? The fans are working. I'm going to go and rev it a little and see where it's coming from and I'm going to put the oem cap back on. Could an aftermarket cap have caused this(I put a buddyclub cap on it.) Also the car was sitting for a month and a half in my garage because my license was suspended, and I just got it back yesterday and now this. blllaahh! I found a couple showa radiators for cheap though. Thanks for any help!

[Silverfc88]

Does the stock radiator have the stock plastic endtanks? Good idea on trying the oem rad cap. I would look where the end tank meets the core also. On some stock rads they are just pressed together. Also double check you hoses.


Oh and DO NOT try that rad leak stop stuff that you can get at the auto store. That crap will clogged your water passages worse than you eating Mcdonalds 5 times a day for a week.

[IntegrasAreBest]

yup i put the oem cap back on and for a while everything seemed leak free. i checked all hoses, no leaks. then i started reving, when i got to 6-7ish then i saw the steam, i opened the hood and coolant was everywhere. i think its the radiator. i tried waiting for my fans to come on to check if they work, which im sure they do but they didnt. odd, and engine temp is exactly where its supposed to be, not overheating or anything. What should I do?

[highmilehatch]

I think it's pretty obvious you need to a buy a new radiator. By the way, if your trying to find where the leak is coming from, don't sit in the car, rev, then pop the hood and look. Rev the engine manually with the hood open.

[IntegrasAreBest]

yeah i revved from the throttle cable and inside the car. yeah your right, i think i just need a new rad. but the thing that kind of scares me is i cant remember when the last time my fans came on.

[IntegrasAreBest]

http://www.importrp.com/product.php?...9&cat=0&page=1

i want to get this one , it looks exactly like my current one. is an aluminum one really worth the big price difference?

[IntegrasAreBest]

ok i got a radiator, disconnected everything, drained everything and installed it. so i start it up on level ground and my fans wont come on. i waited a good 18 minutes, no fans on, engine temp is exactly where it should be and the fans ONLY come on if I turn on a/c or heat. Is it my thermostat?

[highmilehatch]

You need to bleed the system. Once you fill with coolant to the point where it starts to dribble out the 10mm bleed hole, tighten, start the car with the rad cap off. Let warm completely up. Add coolant as necessary, allowing the air to work it's way to the top of the system. Once the lower rad hose is hot, the thermostat is open and most of the air should make it's way out by then. Put the cap back on and your ready to drive. Don't forget to keep an eye on the overflow level. By the way, the fan will only kick on when it gets hot enough. Are you sure the fans are plugged in?

[IntegrasAreBest]

yup fans are plugged in, they come on when i put the heat/ac on. should i change my thermostat just to be safe? and usually how long does it take for fans to come in an integra? i waited 18-20 minutes, and the fans never came on, so i shut everything down and left it in the garage.

[highmilehatch]

If everything is working properly, then your fans are just not coming on due to not being hot enough. If you suspect your thermostat is bad, it can't hurt to replace it. Just remember to bleed again after changing the thermostat. I wouldn't let the fan thing bother you too much.

[IntegrasAreBest]

highmilehatch, thanks so much for all your help. I called off of work today, went outside, got my friend to drive me to autozone and I bought oil and and an oil filter. I did my oil change and went to work back on the rad. I figured hell, let me try it now and see what happens. Last night was cold so thats why the fans didnt come on. Today was kind of warm so it came on and everything is fine so far. I'm going to test it out tonight by driving to my friends house in Old Bridge. In a month or two I will buy a performance radiator, change my thermostat and change my gearbox oil. It feels good to know that theres people like you out there that know their stuff, I got so much bogus advice on honda-tech.