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busted radiator

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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 06:24 PM
  #1  
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Default busted radiator

Has anyone experienced this? With only 74K miles on the car, my S2000 radiator sprung a huge leak this evening while driving down 114 in Middleton. I smelled it right away, opened the hood and watched as the coolant literally sprayed out of the very top of the radiator - along a seam where the top piece attaches to the main radiator.

I nursed it to the garage, stopping every mile to add water. Never got more than 4 bars hot, so should be OK? Sounds like a whole new radiator to me. Any ideas?

I was looking forward to a great driving weekend.

Thanks

Ken
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 06:46 PM
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Sorry to hear man. Not sure why it would do that with so little mileage (in relation to the issue) on the car. But if it didn't get too high in temp (like red) and you weren't beating it I wouldn't worry. I doubt it, but you didn't happen to see/smell any oil mixing in, right?

The way you described it it doesn't sound like a repair to me :/ Sounds like a replacement job unfortunately. That would be my reading guess.
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 06:49 PM
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I also had a leaky radiator, right on the top, hair line crack... good thing is its at the top so its not leaking when parked... but yep you need to replace it. i replaced mine right away, and used honda genuine fluid, great time for a flush.
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 07:40 PM
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You should be fine. Replace the radiator, replace the coolant since you're draining it, bleed the system, and all should be well.
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Old Jul 1, 2011 | 04:26 AM
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Wow! That's lousy! We are just over 61K on the car. Rick gave the radiator a flush this spring. Hopefully all is well with it, as we've got another road trip next month.

This isn't a common thing with these cars, I hope????
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Old Jul 1, 2011 | 04:50 AM
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well the "good news" is it lists for $386. according to majestic honda.
some radiators can go for a grand.

there was a time when you would bring it it to a radiator shop to get re-cored.
Re-manufactured radiators are pretty much history now.
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Old Jul 1, 2011 | 05:40 AM
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I would think 4 bars on the temp gauge is fine. The only issue would have been if the level got too low and you got air pockets that caused hot spots. But it sounds like you kept the level up enough to circulate properly.

My '00 is on the original radiator, as far as I know... 97500 miles and so far so good. Sounds like bum luck, but at least it's not too crazy expensive, and you get a coolant flush while you're at it.
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Old Jul 1, 2011 | 05:47 AM
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Originally Posted by boltonblue
well the "good news" is it lists for $386. according to majestic honda.
$386?!

OEM ($272):
http://www.hondapartsnow.com/electri...~radiator.html

Why not upgrade?

Koyo ($345):
http://www.evasivemotorsports.com/me...ode=KOYO-R2344

Mishimoto ($240/$296 On Sale for 7/4/11 for $225/$278):
http://www.jscspeed.com/catalog/Hond...nda_S2000.html
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Old Jul 1, 2011 | 07:31 AM
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Thanks ZOMG!!

I just ordered the Mishimoto top of the line 3 core aluminum from JSC SPEED, and they did a great deal with me over the phone. Dropped the price so I could ship next day, out the door for $280 delivered. Unfortunately, even with express shippping it will not get to me till Tuesday. Rotten luck with no car for the holiday weekend, but I could have been a lot further from home when it went bad.

Support JSC Speed!

What a great forum for times like this!
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Old Jul 1, 2011 | 07:56 AM
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Wow, awesome deal!!
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