Radiator Leak?

[GWInquisitor14]

I'm looking at getting an 94 integra today w/ a B18b motor. After driving it for about 15-20 min, I popped the hood and there was small amount of sweet smelling steam coming from the radiator. I then rubbed my finger along the top and found a small amount of coolant on the top of the radiator by the hand latch. It was almost like it was sweating. The car had been stored in the winter and not driven much lately. Does anyone know what the problem could be or if they have had the problem before? How hard is it to fix?

[i_a_n112784]

I would say that the only real, long-term solution is to replace the radiator.

[GWInquisitor14]

Originally Posted by i_a_n112784

I would say that the only real, long-term solution is to replace the radiator.

How expensive and dificult would that be? I was thinking of getting a performance one then. Also, what if the person just overfilled the coolant mixture too much?

[civickiller]

if it was filled too much then it comes out of the reseivor. if it leaking by hood latch, which is memeory serves correctly its by the radiator cap then check the radiator cap. if it is not near the radiator cap then you might have a crack or hole in your radiator, which would then i would recommend replacing. but if hte radiator is the only thing then its not that bad

[GWInquisitor14]

Im gonna go check it out tomorrow or thursday. Ill look closer then

[DeleriousZ]

my friend had a cracked radiator hose on his 98 prelude.. took it into the mechanic and they had to replace the whole radiator.. cost him like 450.. radiators can be expensive..

[i_a_n112784]

As with most things, you can save alot of money if you do it yourself. Not to mention that anti-freeze is toxic, and you pay to dispose of it properly at a shop. I'm not sure what is invloved to get your radiator out, but I doubt that it would take any longer than an hour or two. And as I found out, sometimes the better aftermarket radiators can be cheaper than a auto-zone replacement radiator, so look around.

[rubix777]

yeah, if you can go to a junkyard shop, they can get you an aftermarket fully aluminum one for under $100, then the rest is installing it yourself. It shouldn't take more than 1 hour.

[GWInquisitor14]

Well i bought the car and the steam doesn't appear anymore but there is coolant on the top of the radiator and smells sometimes, like its burning

[tsugsr]

how many miles are on the car?? most Integra's around that year, including my 95 are prone for the plastic top to seperate from the aluminum bottom to crack and spill coolant out. at or around 80K +/- 15K miles, its a very common problem and a screw up on acura's part. mine happend just about 4 miles ago at 82K. but anyways, to fix it, take it to a dealer and spend the 450+ to fix it, or buy a new OEM replacement at www.radiatorbarn.com for about 110, and go to www.team-integra.net, look under the artical section and maintance, and look for an artical on radiator replacement for a G3 integra, shouldnt take more than a few hours. and unless your car is highly modifyed. IE lots of boost or a big shot of Nitrous, there is absolutly no need for an aftermarket radiator, the weight savings are minimal and the OEM one will work just fine even with basic bolt ons.