Need a radiator for 2008 Accord already

Status
Not open for further replies.
4

4n0d1z3d

Joined
Jul 2, 2010
Messages
15
Location
Texas
The radiator is leaking on the wifes Accord where the aluminum core and the plastic top tank are joined. Not a big leak but it will put a drop or two of coolant onto the garage floor when parked. Not happy since it only has 48,000 miles. What are my options? I dont think i want to buy an OEM one again at $300+. But are the ones from rock auto any better. Here is the link to a spectra that they have for $157:

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1310016

Has anyone done a radiator job on a newer accord? Looks kinda tight and also have to mess with the ATF cooler too.

Any help or tips would be appreciated as i need to get this resolved before the Texas summer roles around again.
 
That radiator should not be that bad. Look on youtube for a video on how to do it. I watched a video on my Astro, that thing was a bit of a struggle, but I changed out the radiator myself. The worst part was getting the fan surround and assorted parts out of the way. After I actually got down to the radiator, it went smooth. Took the bolts and lines out, pulled it, put the new one back in and filled the fluids. I noted how much transmission fluid came out, and added that much back in. It was not that bad. I have a Spectra from Rockauto - it is working fine. Love Rockauto!
 
Originally Posted By: nwjones18
Everyone may have had different luck.. But I have had no problems with the Silla radiators off ebay and they are usually the cheapest.
Silla (silly) is getting better but they are still on the bottom of the quality list.

Failure rate is around 6% last time I checked.
 
OK, I will stay away from ebay radiators. Do Spectras fit pretty well? It would suck to get the car torn apart only to find out the new radiator wont fit due to a small difference from the OEM.

JB weld isnt an option I dont think since its leaking around the entire perimeter of the top tank. Where those little metal fingers from the core are bent of the lip of the tank.
 
Have you taken it to the dealership yet?

Might get lucky, sometimes they do goodwill gestures. As in paying part of or all the repair cost in a situation such as yours.

That is way, way too early for any failure on a radiator. Much less a catastrophic one such as the whole top coming apart.

If the dealership won't help, contact the manufacturer (point of contact should be in your owners manual). It can't hurt to try, at this point you have nothing to lose.
 
I assume that the ends are held on with aluminum "tabs"? if so, just trying to gently increase the pressure on these tabs with vice grips can fix the problem.
 
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Aren't those tabs just holding the fins on and have nothing to do with sealing the tank?


They hold the plastic end tanks on. There is a rubber gasket between the end tank and the actual rad.
 
I have had excellent results with Spectra. Made in Canada. Double boxed. Always fit fine fine and last. Check Amazon for best price and free shipping.
 
May I offer a suggestion? When my Civic was about 5 years old, 62,000 miles the air conditioning compressor coil needed changed at about $600 bucks. I wrote American Honda a letter that I was disappointed the car needed this type of a repair this early in its life. With 10 days I received a telephone call and was offered a check to pay half of the repair. Check then arrived within 10 days.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: 4n0d1z3d
OK, I will stay away from ebay radiators. Do Spectras fit pretty well? It would suck to get the car torn apart only to find out the new radiator wont fit due to a small difference from the OEM.

JB weld isnt an option I dont think since its leaking around the entire perimeter of the top tank. Where those little metal fingers from the core are bent of the lip of the tank.


I would not touch a Spectra with a 10 foot pole.
I had one leak after 11 months (thank god in warranty) at the crimps and I had to do the replacement job all over again. No more of that junk for me.
 
Seems like an early failure for that location, not impossible but still a bit of a surprise. You may want to check and make sure its not leaking from the overflow hose, upper rad hose or the cap and just collecting where the tanks are crimped on. I've had hose leaks that look like radiator leaks because of where the coolant collects. Coolant leaking from any upper hose or cap will run around the entire top of the radiator and make it look like its leaking from everywhere. Rinse the entire area with water, once dry get the engine good and hot and while running, check closely under hood to find the location of the leak. You should be able to see some steam or even smell where the leak is. Radiators vary widely in price but I have no idea if they vary widely in quality. If it were my car I would get the cheapest one that had a warranty and easy returns, which might be from a parts store chain.
 
Originally Posted By: JamesBond
If it were my car I would get the cheapest one that had a warranty and easy returns, which might be from a parts store chain.


Seems like James Bond does not value his time any more. Time is one thing in life you can't buy.
 
^I actually agree with what you suggested. Now, if the replacement 'test' unit fails within warranty you covered yourself. If now, you know to go all-or-nothing on the better radiators(by then there should be more clear-cut winner of 'non-failed' radiator if this is a widespread issue at all)...

Keep up the posting and don't let others deter you.
 
I use a place called RadiatorBarn (sounds dumb, I know, but they have excellent customer service). I think they sell CSF radiators which seem to be good quality. I have them on my Accord and my 4Runner.
 
Originally Posted By: user52165
I have had excellent results with Spectra. Made in Canada. Double boxed. Always fit fine fine and last. Check Amazon for best price and free shipping.

I have had some that weren't made in Canada.

Anyway, do try the dealer, sometimes auto makers will give you a reduced price on repair if an item fails before it should, even if there is no warranty.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

AZjeff
  • Locked
Radiator fan clutch brand preference?
Replies
18
Views
8K
another Todd
R
My 10,000 mile review of the 2024 Tahoe
2
Replies
26
Views
15K
redhat
U
2014 Challenger long term review: Absolutely terrible.
3 4 5
Replies
84
Views
18K
FZ1
S
  • Locked
Battery Maintenance
2 3
Replies
55
Views
12K
AWB
Number_35
  • Locked
2008 Chevy Uplander van - LCA replacment - looking for advice on parts
Replies
9
Views
2K
Number_35
Back
Top Bottom