Integra Radiator Pressure Problems
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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Integra Radiator Pressure Problems
I have been doing searches here and found a similar person with a problem on this forum written back on '03—only 1 response though. I hope I can get some more answers.
I have a 95 Acura Integra LS, now it has 156k. I drive about 35k a year. In 3 years, I have gone through 4 radiators—1 factory, the other after market Visteons (all metal, stronger radiators—actually lasted a little longer than the stock plastic one).
The top keeps leaking (slow leak around the metal teeth) indicating a pressure problem. I'm using a 13 pound cap, just put a new one on a month ago and then noticed the radiator top leaking (this radiator lasted 1.3 years).
After each radiator, I've put in new thermostats. At first, the car ran too cold, now it runs almost in the middle on the temperature gauge which is fine.
The "lifetime" warranty on Visteon is now telling me that Acura has issued service papers regarding an unknown pressure build-up that can blow the tops of the radiators—thus, I void my lifetime warranty. Of course, no Acura dealer has ever heard of the problem, but I went into the radiator warehouse, and they showed me an official service copy from Acura regarding this pressure build-up—with NO KNOWN fix.
SO, my new radiator will arrive today—
Has anyone had this problem?
Does anyone know about pressure build-up?
Could it be a head gasket? I don't see any leaking. (again, my timing belt was changed a few years ago . . .)
Thanks!!
I have a 95 Acura Integra LS, now it has 156k. I drive about 35k a year. In 3 years, I have gone through 4 radiators—1 factory, the other after market Visteons (all metal, stronger radiators—actually lasted a little longer than the stock plastic one).
The top keeps leaking (slow leak around the metal teeth) indicating a pressure problem. I'm using a 13 pound cap, just put a new one on a month ago and then noticed the radiator top leaking (this radiator lasted 1.3 years).
After each radiator, I've put in new thermostats. At first, the car ran too cold, now it runs almost in the middle on the temperature gauge which is fine.
The "lifetime" warranty on Visteon is now telling me that Acura has issued service papers regarding an unknown pressure build-up that can blow the tops of the radiators—thus, I void my lifetime warranty. Of course, no Acura dealer has ever heard of the problem, but I went into the radiator warehouse, and they showed me an official service copy from Acura regarding this pressure build-up—with NO KNOWN fix.
SO, my new radiator will arrive today—
Has anyone had this problem?
Does anyone know about pressure build-up?
Could it be a head gasket? I don't see any leaking. (again, my timing belt was changed a few years ago . . .)
Thanks!!
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 875
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From: Buffalo, NY
I could be the head gasket. I drove a newly acquired BMW for months with one of the cylinders leaking from the head gasket. When the leak got bigger, it would overpressurize the system (really hard hoses). The car didn't run bad or overheat, so I didn't realize it was the gasket at first.
Have a compression test or leakdown test done. If that turns out fine, then have the coolant system pressure tested. I would use an old radiator of course. Hopefully a shop can find the problem before you install the new radiator.
Just a quick question: What happens when you run the car without the cap on? Does it build up pressure really fast even though the coolant is still cool?
Have a compression test or leakdown test done. If that turns out fine, then have the coolant system pressure tested. I would use an old radiator of course. Hopefully a shop can find the problem before you install the new radiator.
Just a quick question: What happens when you run the car without the cap on? Does it build up pressure really fast even though the coolant is still cool?
