i have a 90 honda accord and this morning i saw some steam coming out from under the hood. i looked and sure enough, there was a small split along the top of my radiator that had anti freeze bubbling out. what would cause this? i just redid the head a couple of weeks ago--is it possible that i screwed something up while doing this? maybe i didnt get all the air out? im just trying to figure this out before i replace it so i dont have the same hting happen again.

 

any ideas, thoughts, or suggestions would be appreciated

 

some early radiators were made out of plastic and copper. they crack over time. it is normal.

 

thanks---i was really curious because of the timing. i just did a major overhaul on the engine, and my main realy and radiator both go within a matter of two weeks

 

Certain Honda radiators (Integra) are notorious for dying. Might be same with accord, I frankly don't know.

 

Just remember, if you wan to go the less expensive root, just buy the top plastic portion of the radiator. Call your Honda or Acura dealer and see which local radiator company in town crimps the tops onto the radiator body for them. I had done this on my previous Integra and cost me around $100 to fix. Dealer wanted $700 for a new radiator installed, so instead I just talked to the parts guy and found a cheaper way to fix it.

 

thanks to all. just an update---i traced the malfunction down. i did not use a timing light to fine tune the ignition timing after reinstalling the head, so the timing was off causing the engine to run VERY hot. problem is now solved

 

In your original post, you didn't mention anything about the temperature gauge reading hot. Did it? When you replaced your radiator, I hope you replaced your thermostat and hoses at the same time.

 

the temp gauge dodnt read hot. the thermostat and hoses have been replaced within the last couple of months, but i have re-replaced the top one again because it swelled up. the temp gauge did read slightly warmer than usual, but not initially. that happened a couple of weeks later when the whether got warmer.

 

Are you using oem parts? Did you bleed the air bubbles out of your cooling system?