Honda replacement radiator

[McKittrick]

I have a 96 Odyssey that has developed a leak in the upper plastic header just below the radiator cap area.

I have checked locally and can get a CSF radiator or a Visteon radiator.

Has anyone used these brands?

Comments appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Quest]

They are cheap but ok by my standards.

Sometimes, the quality may suffer due to poor aftermarket die used to mold those plastics: e.g. upper rad/lower rad hose connecting portion is undersize causing loose connection,light leakage/seepage, etc.

Also, when in doubt, always consider replacing your upper and lower rad hose while you are at it. If thermostat is too difficult to gain access while you have your radiator off the car, might as well leave it until you service your waterpump/timing belt.

 

[ALS]

$163 for a OE Radiator
http://www.foreigncarpartsonline.com/

 

[McKittrick]

ALS

That is one of the brands that I have found locally Cooling Systems and Flex CSF

I am just wondering if someone has experience with either this brand or the Visteon replacement radiators.

Thanks

 

[PandaBear]

Had a CSF replacement all metal rad for my Integra, the fit and finish wasn't as good as I hope but it gets the job done. From what I heard the plastic top/bottom rad from CSF is good.

IMO Visteon will be a better choice. Afterall I haven't heard much rad problem in Ford.

 

[McKittrick]

Thanks PandaBear for the information on CSF appearance fit and finish and the input on Visteon

 

[RH+G]

Those all metal ones never are of great fit. Stick to the plastic/metal one

 

[ebaker]

I've installed cheap metal Mexican or Malaysan made radiators in a Mazda, Nissan and Mercedes. All 3 worked fine. They were about 1/2 the cost of a plastic/aluminum radiator. However if OEM is only $163 go for that.

 

[Chris142]

I work at a radiator shop. The all metal aftermarket rads are junk. Made by 12 yr old girls in Malasia or China.

Usually within 6 months they begin to leak.

The Plastic ones seem to hold up better. Visteon is the supplier for Ford and Chrysler, Possibly others. CSF is an aftermarket company only.

If I had a choice I'd go with Visteon.

 

[McKittrick]

Thanks to all

I am planning on ordering a Visteon this week.

I think I will disassemble the OEM radiator to see what type of transmission cooler it has inside, since I am planning to add a auxiliary transmission cooler to this vehicle.

 

[JHZR2]

honda radiators are junk... my fiancee and a good friend, both of whom own integras, got cracked plastic radiators...

My fiancee still has hers - got a lifetime warrantee all metal radiator and it has been trouble free - it defiitely does fit funny though.

And not ALL plastic radiators are junky... My 83MB 300D has the original Behr radiator, which is plastic, and its A-ok, except that the AT cooler lines are seized.

JMH

 

[PandaBear]

Toyota plastic radiators (OEM Harrison, American quality here) are awesome too, 140k miles and it looks like new. It uses a different kind of plastic (looks like those recycle plastic 2x4 in home depot) than Honda (shiny plastic).

I heard a lot of horror story about all metal rad, but most are at one particular corner that holds the radiator fans. What I think is the cause, is that the bottom of the fan isn't fitting well and the vibration cracked the only supporting points, the top fan mounts. I added a lot of bath tub grease and it probably hold the fan together well enought to get rid of the vibration. (knock on wood)