[cadfather]

I got a leaky radiator that needs to be replaced. Does anyone have some helpful tips before I dive into it? My car is an 88, 5speed, SI.
Thanks

[xkjnboix]

Get aluminum and never worry about that crap ever again.
get some slimfans too while you are at it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1988-1991-Honda-Prelude-Aluminum-Radiator-MT-2ROW-New-1989-1990-send-from-Canada-/370604235349?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &hash=item5649bbda55&vxp=mtr

after install bleed the piss out of your lines.

refer to the 3g resources for shop manual download for uninstall instructions.

[1funryd]

Originally Posted by cadfather

I got a leaky radiator that needs to be replaced. Does anyone have some helpful tips before I dive into it? My car is an 88, 5speed, SI.
Thanks

Here are the steps:

1. Jack the lude up, remove the splash guard there are about (6 10mm bolts)
2. Once that is done, drain the radiator from the bottom tab.
3. Then take a long angle bent pliers to remove the hose clamps, unless the hose clamps are screw on types, then you need a power screw driver of some type or it will be a long process.
4. Remove the bottom hose it should dump a lot of fluid so make sure to have those open top containers that are big enough to catch it all.
5. Unplug all the connectors to the fan.
6. There are about 3-4 10mm bolts at the bottom so remove those.
7. If its a automatic, you will nee to remove the transmission fluid hoses. Its tight down there so get read to slice up your hands a bit.
8. Once thats all done, you will need to pull the entire assembly with the fans out as one unit. Then transfer over the fans and do the reverse.


Walla!!! Your done.

[88SE Lude]

I've never jacked one up or removed the splash guard to swap rads.

You can also pull the rad up once the top panel is out of the way to give more clearance to the bottom hose.
Oh yeah, you forgot to remove the top panel in that write-up Sean, will be very tricky getting it out with that still in place

[1funryd]

Originally Posted by 88SE Lude

I've never jacked one up or removed the splash guard to swap rads.

You can also pull the rad up once the top panel is out of the way to give more clearance to the bottom hose.
Oh yeah, you forgot to remove the top panel in that write-up Sean, will be very tricky getting it out with that still in place

Ooopsss... Yea what Jon said remove that top panel.

If your can remove the hose from the top, then do it that way, less work. But I had an automatic when I did it, and since I do not have a splash guard anymore I and I have the H23a in there, its a bit easier.

[cadfather]

Originally Posted by xkjnboix

Get aluminum and never worry about that crap ever again.
get some slimfans too while you are at it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1988-1991-Honda-Prelude-Aluminum-Radiator-MT-2ROW-New-1989-1990-send-from-Canada-/370604235349?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &hash=item5649bbda55&vxp=mtr

after install bleed the piss out of your lines.

refer to the 3g resources for shop manual download for uninstall instructions.

I appreciate the link and suggestion but I am in the process of selling the car. The radiator just started leaking and I am just wanting to fix so I can sell it.
Thanks

[cadfather]

Originally Posted by 1funryd

Here are the steps:

1. Jack the lude up, remove the splash guard there are about (6 10mm bolts)
2. Once that is done, drain the radiator from the bottom tab.
3. Then take a long angle bent pliers to remove the hose clamps, unless the hose clamps are screw on types, then you need a power screw driver of some type or it will be a long process.
4. Remove the bottom hose it should dump a lot of fluid so make sure to have those open top containers that are big enough to catch it all.
5. Unplug all the connectors to the fan.
6. There are about 3-4 10mm bolts at the bottom so remove those.
7. If its a automatic, you will nee to remove the transmission fluid hoses. Its tight down there so get read to slice up your hands a bit.
8. Once thats all done, you will need to pull the entire assembly with the fans out as one unit. Then transfer over the fans and do the reverse.


Walla!!! Your done.

Thanks for the step by step. I was hoping it was not going to be very difficult.
Thanks

[ZIPPY]

I wouldn't do it to my prelude or to a future prelude owner when selling, but if you're in a jam money and time-wise you could try:

http://www.kseal.com/p-1-k-seal.aspx

It has good reviews on amazon.com

[cadfather]

Originally Posted by ZIPPY

I wouldn't do it to my prelude or to a future prelude owner when selling, but if you're in a jam money and time-wise you could try:

http://www.kseal.com/p-1-k-seal.aspx

It has good reviews on amazon.com

I really would not want to use any kind of "sealer" like that in a radiator. I am sure it is fine but I would hate for it to start leaking again just a few months after selling it plus I have visions of it screwing up the water pump for some reason. Since the water pump is so vital in this car, I don't want to risk anything plus it was really simple to pull the radiator out. I have found a new one on ebay for $63.00 delivered but first I am going to take this one down to see if it can be repaired.
Thanks

[91OWNER]

hey
sorry to tread jack but any one change to a half rad on there 3rd gen ?
i'm starting to add a turbo to my h22a and need the extra place a half rad will give.
any ideas?

[luzer]

Originally Posted by 91OWNER

hey
sorry to tread jack but any one change to a half rad on there 3rd gen ?
i'm starting to add a turbo to my h22a and need the extra place a half rad will give.
any ideas?

Of course there are some that have done that. Search and ye shall find it.