Radiator leak
04-25-2021, 02:07 PM
#11
Registered User
Thread Starter
It might be premature to think of replacing the radiator. The coolant is sitting on top of the foam, that tells me it is leaking from a source high up, like the cap or that one hose connection. The metal to plastic crimps which leak on failing rads are located below the foam, if leaks start there it would not cause fluid to sit on top of the foam, so I don't think it is leaking at the plastic to metal crimp zone. Check the hose clamp on that one upper hose, it looks like fluid has been leaking in that area, the clamp and hose may need adjusting. The other source of leakage can be the rad cap. The radiator may need to be bled of air if there is excess air in the system it can cause the rad cap to leak due to excessive pressure in the radiator, a bleed procedure may help.
04-25-2021, 03:47 PM
#12
I live 1 mile away from ballade sports so I’ll probably stop by tomorrow to see if they have this https://balladesports.com/products/k...66e90e0a&_ss=r
you can get it a little cheaper at parts geek
you can get it a little cheaper at parts geek
04-25-2021, 04:05 PM
#13
So I just noticed my reservoir was a little low so I started filling it up and I noticed the same spot getting wetter. Peeled the foam back and saw fluid coming from a hairline crack that looks like stretch marks. Also noticed dried coolant coming from the filler neck but the cap is literally brand new so I’m guessing it’s time for a replacement
04-26-2021, 03:50 AM
#14
The OEM replacement they sell on rock auto has worked fine on my car for the last 3ish years.
04-26-2021, 07:07 AM
#15
It might be premature to think of replacing the radiator, I wouldn't rush to replace it just yet.
The coolant is sitting on top of the foam, that tells me it is leaking from a source higher up, like the cap or that one hose connection. The metal to plastic crimps which leak on failing rads are located below the foam, if leaks start there it would not cause fluid to sit on top of the foam, so I don't think it is leaking at the plastic to metal crimp zone.
Check the hose clamp on that one upper hose, it looks like fluid has been leaking in that area, the clamp and hose may need adjusting. The other source of leakage can be the rad cap. The radiator may need to be bled of air, if there is excess air in the system it can cause the rad cap to leak due to excessive pressure in the radiator. The cap can puke fluid while driving if pressure in the rad gets too high. A bleed procedure may help if you have air in the cooling system.
The coolant is sitting on top of the foam, that tells me it is leaking from a source higher up, like the cap or that one hose connection. The metal to plastic crimps which leak on failing rads are located below the foam, if leaks start there it would not cause fluid to sit on top of the foam, so I don't think it is leaking at the plastic to metal crimp zone.
Check the hose clamp on that one upper hose, it looks like fluid has been leaking in that area, the clamp and hose may need adjusting. The other source of leakage can be the rad cap. The radiator may need to be bled of air, if there is excess air in the system it can cause the rad cap to leak due to excessive pressure in the radiator. The cap can puke fluid while driving if pressure in the rad gets too high. A bleed procedure may help if you have air in the cooling system.
04-26-2021, 11:51 AM
#16
Registered User
Thread Starter
I checked with Ballade today and they didn't have any in stock. So I got into contact with someone at socals2kparts and will pick up the koyo aluminum one tomorrow. I just hope I won't have any fitment issues with the password JDM intake
04-26-2021, 12:20 PM
#17
Registered User
That's Alan Lee. Very awesome and reputable guy. He can even install it for you if you'd like and work out any fitment issues that may arise. He's also on this forum sometimes.
04-27-2021, 06:23 AM
#18
I went with Koyo on my MY00 and have not looked back!
04-27-2021, 08:00 AM
#19
I replaced with an OEM radiator when mine cracked. But it was based upon timing. I had an autox event coming up in 3 days and had to go with what I could get quickly to make it. Unfortunately that meant not being able to wait for even Majestic so I paid too much through the local dealership to get one. I may have just gone with the Koyo otherwise as it is pretty widely used.
04-28-2021, 03:10 PM
#20
Very nice! You may need to do some slight modification to the intake but nothing major. The Koyo doesn't come with foam like the OEM one does. I've seen some people just leave the gap and others I guess end up getting a piece of foam from Home Depot and cutting it to fit. Not sure if there's a write up on it or not.