legacycentral bbs

Have a question for ya'll. Discovered a leak. Thought it was the top hose. When I pulled it off the neck (under the bleeder screw) on the radiator the neck was crumbling. I was able to get the hose back on after several attempts it didn't leak. My worry now is how long will it last? Do I have to buy a new radiator or is that plastic neck and bleeder screw a separate assembly? Came here first for my answer because ya'll helped me out last year with my crank shaft pulley/bolt issue. 23k and it's still holding strong.

I believe you can replace the endtank but I'm not sure just how easy/cheap it is to do that. Personally I'd just get a new rad. I'm willing to bet it isn't flowing as well as it should be. An aftermarket radiator would definately be cheaper than oem. I believe they're 350 or so from the dealer.

I paid $135 for a "lifetime warranty" radiator my mechanic complimented me on as apparantly it's a decent one. IIRC I got it through AutoZone or Foreign Auto Parts.

Steve

right, aftermarket not oem.

You have aluminum radiators with plastic end tanks, and you have copper/brass radiators that most places sell you if you get a replacement for OEM.

the copper/brass ones can be had for around 100 bucks or so.

The aluminum ones are usually in the 200 range or so.

I never found a place around me that would replace the end tanks, but that's not saying there aren't places that will do this work.

as far as I know the plastic end tank radiators are not serviceable. They are glued together originally, and cannot be taken apart easily.

The crumbling end tank is unfortunately hugely common, affecting virtually all Hondas early 90's and many others as well. The end tank is glass / nylon and the nylon just does not have particularly good long-temr heat resistance when water and glycol are present.

Why this material is used beats me, its 6-10 good years and then who knows, I guess that's good enough for some.

I just replaced my ex's Honda rad for $117 aftermarket, it looked exactly like the OEM.

Bought a new aftermarket radiator today for $122. Not too bad when some places wanted $350. The end tank is made of metal instead of plastic like the original. Which made me very happy. All back together. Now all I have to do is burp it but darkness came to soon to finish it. Thanks to all for the replies.