Radiator replacement

oldacura · 03-30-04, 02:28 PM

I started the job of replacing my radiator this evening. I received the parts I ordered from Acura of Augusta. I got a new radiator, top hose, bottom hose, A/T hoses, thermostat and temp sensor.

I got the old radiator out & was amazed how plugged the front side was with cottonwood fuzz & stuff.

Is there anything else I should take care of while I have the radiator out?

djagh · 03-30-04, 04:25 PM

Hmmm.... I am going to look in to getting someone I know in a metal fab shop to look into making an all aluminum radiator for the Legend. My Coupe has 292,000 miles on it and I go thru a radiator every 100k miles at a cost of $400 each time.

About your car, have you changed out the water pump?? They usually do that when you change out the timing belt. Since you're going cooling stuff you might want to look into it.

Andy

LPB · 03-30-04, 08:50 PM

Probably too late now but you could have also cleaned the Throttle Body. Did you purchase a new radiator cap?

oldacura · 03-31-04, 02:39 PM

My throttle body was almost new - clean.

I got done installing the new radiator but I haven't yet put in the coolant. I got all done & only had one part left over. There is a plastic clip with one side that is the same diameter as one of the large radiator hoses & one for a line that is about 1/4" in diameter. The two lines run perpendicular to each other. I think this was on the upper radiator hose. I can't see what other line would be supported by the 1/4" clip. This would run left - to - right across the car. Does anyone know what this might be for?

RAP · 03-31-04, 10:51 PM

Oldacura, there are a number of hoses in the front area of your engine, some go left to right, right to
left, up to down, down to up and at various angle also. Some of the hoses are for coolent, some for air and some for oil. Never mind what's behind the engine.

Page 10-3 of the '95 Helms manual has a very good graphic display of all the hoses and where they go.

From your in-adaquate description I'm guessing that you are talking about 2 air by-pass hoses from the
intake air box to the throttle body area but I ain't fer sho.

Be advise that there is a hose for each place and a place for each hose. :-).

Good luck. Oldcajun. RAP

LeoLegendATL · 04-01-04, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by djagh
Hmmm.... I am going to look in to getting someone I know in a metal fab shop to look into making an all aluminum radiator for the Legend. My Coupe has 292,000 miles on it and I go thru a radiator every 100k miles at a cost of $400 each time.

About your car, have you changed out the water pump?? They usually do that when you change out the timing belt. Since you're going cooling stuff you might want to look into it.

Andy

I believe Koyo already makes an aluminum radiator.

Josh · 04-01-04, 02:02 AM

Call some radiator shops, I had a metal top one installed for like 230.00 and it is quite good.

People think they should use the OEM radiators, but the plastic top ones keep on failing. I don't think it is necessary to go the custom route unless you really want to spend the extra to do so.

JTJohnny102 · 07-22-04, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeoLegendATL

I believe Koyo already makes an aluminum radiator.

so is there an aluminum radiator out here? ive checked other threads and some sites but havent really come up with any good answer.

oldacura · 07-22-04, 12:53 PM

I figure Acura used an aluminum/plastic radiator for a reason. I suspect the reason is to avoid electrolysis that can happen if you use a copper/brass radiator. I doubt that anyone can make an all aluminum radiator (at least not cost-effectively) because you cannot solder or braze aluminum and it is very difficult the weld aluminum tanks to the aluminum core because the material is so thin.

I installed an OEM radiator from Acura of Augusta and my temp gage is rock-steady at 1 mark below half all of the time.

LEGEND-KING · 07-22-04, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldacura

I figure Acura used an aluminum/plastic radiator for a reason. I suspect the reason is to avoid electrolysis that can happen if you use a copper/brass radiator. I doubt that anyone can make an all aluminum radiator (at least not cost-effectively) because you cannot solder or braze aluminum and it is very difficult the weld aluminum tanks to the aluminum core because the material is so thin.

I installed an OEM radiator from Acura of Augusta and my temp gage is rock-steady at 1 mark below half all of the time.

whats a good price for a new radiator.and if i change it what else sould i change any info helps thanks

03-30-04, 02:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
oldacura Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, Colorado Posts: 424 Car 1: 1995 Legend LS Coupe iTrader: (0)	Radiator replacement I started the job of replacing my radiator this evening. I received the parts I ordered from Acura of Augusta. I got a new radiator, top hose, bottom hose, A/T hoses, thermostat and temp sensor. I got the old radiator out & was amazed how plugged the front side was with cottonwood fuzz & stuff. Is there anything else I should take care of while I have the radiator out?

03-30-04, 08:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
LPB Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,144 Car 1: 1992 Seattle Silver LS CPE Car 2: 2007 Toyota Corolla Car 3: 1981 Corvette iTrader: (2)	Probably too late now but you could have also cleaned the Throttle Body. Did you purchase a new radiator cap? __________________ Eyebrows KMS Strut Bar Enkei 16" J-Lips Wings West Spoiler w/LED Clear Corner Lens Clear Bumper Lens Clear Rear Side Markers Brembo X-Drilled/Slotted Stainless Braided Brake Hoses Focus 2500 Driving Lamps Gold Pkg

03-31-04, 10:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
RAP Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Lockport,LA Posts: 651 Car 1: '95 Legend 3 ea. 240SX iTrader: (0)	Oldacura, there are a number of hoses in the front area of your engine, some go left to right, right to left, up to down, down to up and at various angle also. Some of the hoses are for coolent, some for air and some for oil. Never mind what's behind the engine. Page 10-3 of the '95 Helms manual has a very good graphic display of all the hoses and where they go. From your in-adaquate description I'm guessing that you are talking about 2 air by-pass hoses from the intake air box to the throttle body area but I ain't fer sho. Be advise that there is a hose for each place and a place for each hose. :-). Good luck. Oldcajun. RAP __________________ Acurite

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03-30-04, 04:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
djagh Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Orlando Posts: 13 Car 1: 1993 Legend 2dr Type II iTrader: (0)	Hmmm.... I am going to look in to getting someone I know in a metal fab shop to look into making an all aluminum radiator for the Legend. My Coupe has 292,000 miles on it and I go thru a radiator every 100k miles at a cost of $400 each time. About your car, have you changed out the water pump?? They usually do that when you change out the timing belt. Since you're going cooling stuff you might want to look into it. Andy

03-31-04, 02:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
oldacura Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, Colorado Posts: 424 Car 1: 1995 Legend LS Coupe iTrader: (0)	My throttle body was almost new - clean. I got done installing the new radiator but I haven't yet put in the coolant. I got all done & only had one part left over. There is a plastic clip with one side that is the same diameter as one of the large radiator hoses & one for a line that is about 1/4" in diameter. The two lines run perpendicular to each other. I think this was on the upper radiator hose. I can't see what other line would be supported by the 1/4" clip. This would run left - to - right across the car. Does anyone know what this might be for?

04-01-04, 02:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
Josh Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 442 Car 1: 91 Legend L Sedan iTrader: (0)	Call some radiator shops, I had a metal top one installed for like 230.00 and it is quite good. People think they should use the OEM radiators, but the plastic top ones keep on failing. I don't think it is necessary to go the custom route unless you really want to spend the extra to do so.

07-22-04, 12:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
oldacura Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, Colorado Posts: 424 Car 1: 1995 Legend LS Coupe iTrader: (0)	I figure Acura used an aluminum/plastic radiator for a reason. I suspect the reason is to avoid electrolysis that can happen if you use a copper/brass radiator. I doubt that anyone can make an all aluminum radiator (at least not cost-effectively) because you cannot solder or braze aluminum and it is very difficult the weld aluminum tanks to the aluminum core because the material is so thin. I installed an OEM radiator from Acura of Augusta and my temp gage is rock-steady at 1 mark below half all of the time.

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