So i was driving the other day and i look at my gauges and I noticed it was getting way too hot. so I stop and look under the hood and sure enough liquid was bubbling out of the radiator and everything was leaking underneath. so i let it rest, got some water and put some in and drove the short distance home, which it diddnt get too dangerously hot

I do not know how to replace big things so I don't want to try, so my question is if the radiator is cracked or something, how much would you extimate a shop to replace it? I just wanted to get a general figure so i don't get charged way too much.

thanks guys. car is a 93 civic.

oh and is it safe to drive it for a short distance to the shop if it doesnt get too hot. (having the air on hot and full blast helps right?)

 

It's actually surpisingly simple to replace your radiator. But if you're not up to the task, you might want to purchase the parts yourself and have someone install it for you.

I don't know about you, but at this point (considering the age of the car) I'd go ahead and change everything in your cooling system.

- New Radiator
- New Fan/motor
- New Upper/Lower hoses
- New Thermostat
- New hose clamps (if you have an auto, consider the smaller clamps as well for the hoses that go to the tranny).
- New coolant
- New radiator cap
- New Thermoswitch

 

Replacing the radiator is one of the easiest things you can do. It's held in place by one bolt and clamp and it has feet that seat into the well..radiator seats.

 

U want to do a few simple checks first before taking your car to the shop and get charged a bill for diag only the get the shock of your lifetime.
1st: let the car cool down, pefered the next day. Remove the radiator cap and open the bleeder screw located on the upper hose where it connects with the head, it is a 12 mm wrench. Some models have this feature and some don't, if so follow on and install water only till only water flows out ot the bleeder screws small hole, then tighten and install the radiator cap.
2nd start the engine and let idle for at least 30 mins or so watch the temp guage, and look for leaks all around the engine. locate the leak and area of which it is leaking, turn off the engine. Let is cool off then inspect the area in need of repair.
3third If no leaks are present watch the temp guage and let it reach the halfway point, check to see if your fan turns on. If the gauge reaches the 3/4 mark and no fan has turned on shut your car off ASAP.

 

If no fan comes on then it will be a fan motor or a faulty sensor on your thermostat housing. Also check your fuses under the hood and under the dash. If you have any ?'s hit me up I'll help you out to save $$$$$$$'s Cool.

 

if I could do it you can do it. I did it yesturday actually. Soooo easy.

 

oh yah I have a 92 si mine ran me about a hundred bucks..

 

thanks for the help guys. it's too dark now to look at it. have to wait till tommarow. Only problem is I work everyday, have work and class on wen. and only leaves the weekend for me to do anything with it. and I have no other car to use. If I do wait till the weekend to do it myself (oh i also think the fan is shot too, because it doesnt turn on, not sure if it got hot enough) where is a good place to buy a new one for fairly cheap? and can't wait for shipping. would an auto parts store like autozone carry it? and again, thanks for the help. (i wish my mom wasn't a bitch and I could ask my dad to come help me, but thats a whole different mess lol)

 

Pretty much every foreign and domestic car parts store will have the radiator. As for the fan it might still work. If it doesn't turn on I'm guessing it's the fan switch on the thermostat housing.