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Car Forum / Honda Cars / October 2005crack in upper radiator tank
My 1990 Honda Accord has developed a crack in the upper radiator tank below the fill cap. I'm assuming ( maybe in error) that this is a non repairable issue and I will have to replace the radiator. Is this correct? If so the replacement procedure is to drain, remove both hoses, remove both fans, and lift it out, put in a new one reassemble fans and hoses then fill and bleed. Is this correct? Thanks, Frank > My 1990 Honda Accord has developed a crack in the upper radiator tank > below the fill cap. I'm assuming ( maybe in error) that this is a non > repairable issue and I will have to replace the radiator. Is this > correct? Almost 100% of the time, yes. There are expoxy fixes available, but when you can get quality aftermarket rads for less than $200, it's not worth the risk. > If so the replacement procedure is to drain, remove both hoses, remove > both fans, and lift it out, put in a new one reassemble fans and > hoses then fill and bleed. Is this correct? Might find it easier to leave lower hose and rad fan attached to the rad until you withdraw the rad. Attach lower hose and fan to new rad before insertion. A/C fan can be pushed out of the way. Do not disconnect A/C lines.  SignatureTeGGeR® The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ >> My 1990 Honda Accord has developed a crack in the upper radiator tank >> below the fill cap. I'm assuming ( maybe in error) that this is a non [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > >A/C fan can be pushed out of the way. Do not disconnect A/C lines. Thanks, Age dictates replacement. Don't think I would feel comfortable that a patch would stand the thermal cycling and pressure. I'll try that disassembly method. The more I can do outside the engine compartment the better. These old knarly hands don't always seem to fit in places they used to. Frank Make sure you have something to plug up the transmission lines as the fluid will start to leak out. When I replaced them i plugged them up using a two sharpie markers. Also (I think it's on all Accords from 90-97) you need to keep the A/C fan mounted on the radiator in order to get both of them out of there. I was playing around with trying to get the fan out (before pulling the radiator out) for about 1/2hr before I figured this out. Nick >My 1990 Honda Accord has developed a crack in the upper radiator tank >below the fill cap. I'm assuming ( maybe in error) that this is a non [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >Frank >Make sure you have something to plug up the transmission lines as the >fluid will start to leak out. When I replaced them i plugged them up >using a two sharpie markers. Thanks, Manual T so no cooler lines to the rad. Also (I think it's on all Accords from >90-97) you need to keep the A/C fan mounted on the radiator in order >to get both of them out of there. I was playing around with trying to >get the fan out (before pulling the radiator out) for about 1/2hr >before I figured this out. Both fans can stay on the rad when it comes out? >Nick > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >> >>Frank Also if you need a place to get it from check out http://www.performanceradiator.com/ I've order 2 from them and they came within a day of ordering them online. They also have a 3 year warranty on them. So far after a year and a half no issues! Nick >>Make sure you have something to plug up the transmission lines as the >>fluid will start to leak out. When I replaced them i plugged them up [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] >>> >>>Frank Kinda pricey at $368 for an 97 accord radiator. That's for the all aluminum. The other one is about $130 which is the only option that I had available for the 95 Accord at the time. Nick >Kinda pricey at $368 for an 97 accord radiator. When the mechanic pulled my 97 accord radiator, he left the fans on. Also watch the electrical connections - he buggered up the connector that turns on the AC clutch. Some of the hoses were a bear to get off. He had to replace it 3 times - the first 2 radiators from Bumper to Bumper leaked like sives. Hecho in Mexico. Found an aftermarket radiator made in Thailand for another accord I owned - worked well the first time - those Thias have their stuff together. > When the mechanic pulled my 97 accord radiator, he left the fans on. How'd he deal with the A/C connections? SignatureTeGGeR® The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ >> When the mechanic pulled my 97 accord radiator, he left the fans on. > >How'd he deal with the A/C connections? There are none. I can't quite figure the design out . You can pull both fans simply by disconnecting the electrical connector to the fans. I did that about six months ago when I replaced the fans (or fan motor in the case of the radiator fan) on my '97. The A/C fan was the easiest to pull because the radiator fan has a high pressure coolant line and bracket that goes over it and it has to be pushed (with some difficulty) out of the way. I guess the extra fan is just to take care of the cooling asociated with the extra load on the engine from the compressor. It does not act as any kind of condensor cooler for the high pressure lines. the only ports in and out are for the A/T fluid lines and I have M/T's on both of my Hondas so they are not used. At any rate, I'm going to replace the radiator on the '90 this week end. Will post a follow up. Will try to take both fans, radiator, and lower hose in one fell swoop. If that doesn't work I'll let you know what did work. Thanks to all for the advice. Frank >>> When the mechanic pulled my 97 accord radiator, he left the fans on. >> [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > both fans simply by disconnecting the electrical connector to the > fans. You know what? All this time I was confusing the FAN with the CONDENSER. I thereby led you astray. As I MEANT to say earlier, the FANS must stay attached to the rad, but the CONDENSER must be pushed out of the way. What caused me to scramble the two up so well I don't know. Many apologies for that. SignatureTeGGeR® The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ >>>> When the mechanic pulled my 97 accord radiator, he left the fans on. >>> [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >What caused me to scramble the two up so well I don't know. Many apologies >for that. No apology necessary. Have gotten more than my share of help from the site you maintain. Frank > My 1990 Honda Accord has developed a crack in the upper radiator tank > below the fill cap. I'm assuming ( maybe in error) that this is a non > repairable issue and I will have to replace the radiator. Is this > correct? If the crack doesn't go all the way to where the tank and radiator core meet, the repair is simple (drain the radiator first) and is best made by melting a fairly deep groove along the crack with a soldering iron (clean the tip or cover it with aluminum foil) and then filling it with fiberglass reinforced nylon rod bought from a radiator supply or GM dealer. Welding nylon this way gives very strong repairs, and I once fixed a VW radiator tank that cracked at the hose fitting by melting in nylon shaved from the tank's reinforcement ribs. Don't try glue because it doesn't stick well to nylon. Also a crack that goes all the way to the radiator core may require removing the tank by prying up the 100+ tabs (careful or some will break) and getting a new gasket. > My 1990 Honda Accord has developed a crack in the upper radiator tank > below the fill cap. I'm assuming ( maybe in error) that this is a non [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Frank replace. a new nissins radiator is very high quality and not very expensive. http://www.alleurasianautoparts.com/ |
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