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#1
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Barfing radiator
OK, what's the typical problem-repair for a heaving radiator? Thermostat, Boil out(possible or is it plastic) or should I just replace the 11 y.o. 85k rad? Thanks
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#2
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What exactly is the problem? A leak of some sort? It's hard to guess from your description.
KuoH |
#3
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The rad was dripping very slowly after a good 10 mile ride and discovered the overflow tube under the cap broke off and had developed a slow drip.
Today, in 20' weather, it puked it guts out after a full warmup. I wasn't there so didn't see where it came from. sounds like time for a new one. |
#4
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you better get it looked at properly, a puking radiator usually points to a bad thermostat, but the thermostat can usually be toasted by a lack of coolant, and high preasure steam messing it up, so if your coolant was low, and perhaps not enough anti-freeze, then you may have toasted both your rad and the stat.
Check the top of the rad(plastic part, look for cracks, I've seen 3 with cracked rad tops already(the 3 test drives I took from dealer cars, nice eh). Try to do a preasure test, if you can get it to a shop. takes them about 2 minutes to do.
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Chris G 92 Pearlie, sold @ ~209k miles. Now owned by Tim. Current Ride, 1985 Honda Aero 80, stock 3024 klms |
#5
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My mech is like a pal so no sweat. Any idea on new rad costs? I may just replace it Thanks
We did a coolant change but that was 5 yrs and 15k ago |
#6
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make sure you get the 96 rad, as it has the screen removed from the trany cooling tube.
Ok, just looked at a receipt from my maintinance records, and the previous owner paid $389.63 after a 15% discount from the dealer, part number listed was 45199PA001. I hope you can find it cheaper, but thats what the dealer charges.
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Chris G 92 Pearlie, sold @ ~209k miles. Now owned by Tim. Current Ride, 1985 Honda Aero 80, stock 3024 klms |
#7
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Thanks loads, that is a load of $$...about 7% the car's value...
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#8
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Jeff,
If you search around, there was a post about getting radiators cheaper from a mail order place. OEM at about 1/2 the price. I bought mine from Liberty Subaru for 25% off. You may also want to get a CO test for a head leak. John |
#9
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The first thing to do is definitely replace the radiator. Your leakage is the coolant that *should* be going to the expansion tank. If air has been ingested into the cooling system you will get the burping and gushing symptoms and the heater won't give reliable heat. I had similar symptoms from a bad water pump and thought it could be a blown head gasket. New water pump (no more air into the system) and all is good.
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cbx-man '92 LSL Liquid Silver / Automatic Level-10 valve body mod / remote filter '92 LSL Pearl White / 5 spd. IndigoSpeed 11# flywheel / ACPT Carbon fiber drive shaft '80 Honda CBX in-line 24 valve 6 cylinder |
#10
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Aftermarket as good as factory Subes?
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#11
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I guess I missed a point here.
If your radiator only has a broken over flow tube, this attaches to the fill spout, then glue it back on. It is low pressure and with the correct glue it should last a long time. Something most likely fell on it and broke it. There was a post awhile ago about using glue to repair a really broken radiator. It said which glue was the best. |
#12
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__________________
ASE Certified Master Automotive Technician w/L1. ASE Certified Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician. Certified EVT (Emergency Vehicle Technician) |
#13
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I think the 3 cars I test drove all had rads repaired with this glue idea. But I'm sure that it doesn't last forever. Have the rad preasure tested.
I like the sounds of it being a water pump rather than a head gasket. But hope its only your overflow tube thats broken. Good luck. Oh, and make sure they preasure test the rad cap too.
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Chris G 92 Pearlie, sold @ ~209k miles. Now owned by Tim. Current Ride, 1985 Honda Aero 80, stock 3024 klms |
#14
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The overflow tube is gone with a clean break at the neck but this shouldn't cause air in or out as the end of the hose from that tube is open anyways.
I think concurrently, the radiator is stuffed after 11 years althougth we've flushed the system twice. |
#15
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OK, no availability at the cheapo guys so 389.63 for a new sube 96 rad. Sound decent?
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