EP3 Civic Type R Radiator Leak

[twocolours]

Hi All

Earlier this year I had a coolant leak where the bottom rad hose fixes to the radiator. The metal spring clip was badly rusted and wasn't clamping the hose with much force. Replaced the lower rad hose and clamp (Honda parts) and everything was fine - did some sprints and trip to Nurburgring since.

Yesterday I noticed the same area was wet again, so took the under tray and front bumper off and there appears to be a leak in the same place again. The area where the lower hose fits to the rad is wet and their is a spalttering of coolant on the under tray and sump - every where else seems dry. I loosened the clamp, pushed the hose firmly on to the radiator (which it already was) and re seated the clamp a little further around the hose. Went for a drive and the problem still persists - not a massive leak but still a leak.

So given the hose and clam are only 6 months old I can only assume the rad is leaking in that area. Just looking at radiators online and found a Nissens radiator available from Lings (£114). Also found an EIS radiator (£70)at Eurocar parts but googled them and didn't fill me with confidence! My other option is a Tegiwa aluminium radiator (£165), though this might be over kill on a standard car and they're showing a 4-8 week lead time which isn't ideal.

Has any one used/have experience of radiators from the above brands?

Cheers

[GreenV8S]

Since you'll be taking the rad off anyway, it would be worth taking the hose right off and checking the condition of the spigot. It's not unknown for the inner surface of the hose to fail and leave remnants bonded to the spigot, which then prevent a new hose from sealing properly. Also check the hose is a reasonably good fit on the spigot - if it is loose then pulling it down with a clamp is unlikely to seal.

[twocolours]

GreenV8S said:

Since you'll be taking the rad off anyway, it would be worth taking the hose right off and checking the condition of the spigot. It's not unknown for the inner surface of the hose to fail and leave remnants bonded to the spigot, which then prevent a new hose from sealing properly. Also check the hose is a reasonably good fit on the spigot - if it is loose then pulling it down with a clamp is unlikely to seal.

Thanks for your reply - I did think of having a look at the weekend but couldn't take the hose off as I didn't have any coolant to refill the system with after. It's a Honda hose so should fit (and seems to) but looking at where the leak is coming from and the wet areas it seems like a sealing problem

[GreenV8S]

Drain it into a bowl - you shouldn't lose much. Make sure you drain it down before you fully disconnect the hose so you have the option of stopping it if you find the coolant going out of control.

[twocolours]

GreenV8S said:

Drain it into a bowl - you shouldn't lose much. Make sure you drain it down before you fully disconnect the hose so you have the option of stopping it if you find the coolant going out of control.

Thanks for the advice, going to drain it this weekend and take the hose out and look for any obvious issues. If it's still leaking after that then I guess it's new radiator time!

Edit: Any one know if Nissens radiators are any good, found one on Amazon for £80

Edited by twocolours on Tuesday 31st October 21:11

[DRCAGE]

I got one of the Tegiwa rads in 2013, mine came with a wonky fitting, could see it had been welded on pretty badly. I think it was the drain at the bottom. Ended up bodging it with a couple of O rings and it hasn't leaked since!

[dannyDC2]

twocolours said:

Thanks for the advice, going to drain it this weekend and take the hose out and look for any obvious issues. If it's still leaking after that then I guess it's new radiator time!

Edit: Any one know if Nissens radiators are any good, found one on Amazon for £80

Edited by twocolours on Tuesday 31st October 21:11

Yes Nissens radiators are good. OEM replacement for some.

Did you find out where the leak was coming from though? This is the hose that comes down from the thermostat isn't it, have you checked the water isn't running down from the plastic thermostat housing?

[twocolours]

dannyDC2 said:

twocolours said:

Thanks for the advice, going to drain it this weekend and take the hose out and look for any obvious issues. If it's still leaking after that then I guess it's new radiator time!

Edit: Any one know if Nissens radiators are any good, found one on Amazon for £80

Edited by twocolours on Tuesday 31st October 21:11

Yes Nissens radiators are good. OEM replacement for some.

Did you find out where the leak was coming from though? This is the hose that comes down from the thermostat isn't it, have you checked the water isn't running down from the plastic thermostat housing?

Not had a chance to drain the coolant and have a proper look - that's this weekends job, but it looks like the leak is coming from the join between the lower hose and the radiator rather than above. From memory there wasn't anything running down the pipe but I'll check it out at the weekend when I can get under the car properly - cheers for the suggestion


Edit: thanks for the tip on Nissens too

Edited by twocolours on Wednesday 1st November 13:16

[twocolours]

DRCAGE said:

I got one of the Tegiwa rads in 2013, mine came with a wonky fitting, could see it had been welded on pretty badly. I think it was the drain at the bottom. Ended up bodging it with a couple of O rings and it hasn't leaked since!

Cheers!

[twocolours]

So I had a look under the car today - dried everything off and ran it for a short time on axle stands. Looks like the leak is coming from the join between the plastic and metal parts of the radiator just above the point where the lower rad hose is hence it looking like the leak was from there so its new radiator time! Annoyingly I've found a Nissens rad on Amazon that's prime eligible but they cant deliver till later in the week, was hoping to get it here tomorrow and sort it then, will have to wait till next weekend now

DRCAGE said:

I got one of the Tegiwa rads in 2013, mine came with a wonky fitting, could see it had been welded on pretty badly. I think it was the drain at the bottom. Ended up bodging it with a couple of O rings and it hasn't leaked since!

DRCAGE did you replace it your self? Looks like a fairly simple job to me?

Edited by twocolours on Saturday 4th November 11:56

[DRCAGE]

twocolours said:

DRCAGE did you replace it your self? Looks like a fairly simple job to me?

Yep definitely a DIY job if your handy and you have a few tools.

[twocolours]

DRCAGE said:

twocolours said:

DRCAGE did you replace it your self? Looks like a fairly simple job to me?

Yep definitely a DIY job if your handy and you have a few tools.

Cheers, got Saturday set a side to sort it, hopefully it's not raining!

[dannyDC2]

twocolours said:

Cheers, got Saturday set a side to sort it, hopefully it's not raining!

It's not too difficult, just time consuming. One of the benefits of getting an OEM replacement rad like the Nissens one is that the fans should bolt straight up. The aftermarket aluminium rads often have the holes for the bolts but they rarely line up properly.

Be careful not to lose the rubber feet from the bottom of the rad, if they're torn it might be a good chance to change them

[twocolours]

dannyDC2 said:

twocolours said:

Cheers, got Saturday set a side to sort it, hopefully it's not raining!

It's not too difficult, just time consuming. One of the benefits of getting an OEM replacement rad like the Nissens one is that the fans should bolt straight up. The aftermarket aluminium rads often have the holes for the bolts but they rarely line up properly.

Be careful not to lose the rubber feet from the bottom of the rad, if they're torn it might be a good chance to change them

Cheers, will watch out for them! Radiator turned up today and seems pretty decent good quality