I was going to change my oil the other day and when I popped the hood to check the oil level, I saw that my integra had sprayed coolant all over the inside of the hood and engine bay. I started up the car and smelled something similar to maple donuts. As my car was idling the temperature gauge slowly started to climb past half-way. When it climbed past 75% of the way to H, I shut off my car and checked the coolant fluid level. It was bone dry. I filled up the resevoir and started my car again. I check my fluid levels monthly, so I was very surprised that it was empty. My car ran fine for about a day and then I started to smell that maple donut aroma again. By the time I made it home my temperature gauge had gone all the way to H. When I popped my hood, steam was pouring out of the radiator.

I've since had the radiator replaced (at a cost of $350). Is it common for 3rd gen integra's radiators to crack? I have never ever had a problem with my integra until now. It's a 1998 with 72,000 miles. Was this just one of those things that can happen at any moment? I was just curious if this was a typical thing to get replaced or not.

 

It's very common for them to crack along the top tank...it's plastic. It's happened to just about everyone I know. Mine went at almost the exact same mileage as yours.

 

my radiator went bad twice within A YEAR call it bad luck or whatever i was pissed. But man you got ripped the mofo off, I've never paid more than $100 for a new oem radiator! Ebay is your best friend lol.

 

part is about $100-$130 ... its not that hard to do yourself

 

common problem. mine cracked at the same mileage and its a 98 also last christmas.