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, MA. 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 with the radiator cap 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

That seam between the plastic and metal is a common place for it to break. They expand at different rates, blah, blah, blah.

you should tow it next time. Many people have stated they fried their engines at 4 bars. Hopefully its fine, get a mishimoto, or if you like more expensive, better quality stuff a koyo aluminum radiator. Cheaper, much faster cooling. While you're flipping out the radiator, see if you want to change any radiator hoses or fan switches. its a PITA to do after the fact. Also look at how to "bleed" your radiator properly, its in the stickied DIY/FAQ^.

I'm seeing this more and more with cars that have vented and aftermarket hoods. what kind of hood do you have?

UV sunlight is destroying the radiator.

Stock all around. Just bad luck.

i got a new radiator coming from JSC Speed. Great deal on a Mishimotov 3 core aluminum that should arrive on Tues.

Lousy luck for the holiday weekend, but at least I was only a few miles from home when it blew.