1992 Accord Radiator Leak

My 1992 Accord EX 4-door with 145,000 miles has developed a small leak where
the tank is crimped onto the core on the top backside of the about an inch to
the passenger's side of the cap near the mounting bracket for the cooling fan.

Is this repairable? A local repair shop in Falls Church, VA would like US $395
to replace the radiator.

Thanks in advance,

Jim
JIMBO

 

I should have added that this is a Denso radiator and the car has an auto trans
and A/C.

If the current radiator cannot be repaired, how difficult is it to replace the
unit with a new one?

As always, thanks in advance,

Jim
JIMBO

 

I have no experience in changing one on this particular car, but done it on
several other japs.
Pretty simple:
- while the engine is cold, remove the radiator cap
- drain the radiator using its drain plug
- unpplug the 2 big radiator hoses
- since your car is automatic, you probably have to small pipes that connect
to the radiator for cooling of the auto transmission fluid, disconnect them
as well
- the radiator should be held by 2 top brackets, remove them
- now the fan, if possible, seperate the assembly from the radiator and pull
out the radiator only, if not disconnect the fan and pull the whole thing
out
- when putting the new radiator in make sure that the rubber feet at the
bottom of the radiator are there
- put everything back and reconnect
- fill the coolant and start the engine with the radiator cap open
- let it run for a minute and stop and top the tranny fluid
- start the car again and top the coolant, wait until the bubbles stop
showing up before closing the radiator cap
- check the overflow tank level, top it up to the proper line and monitor it
after the next ride

 

Try London Auto Service in Falls Church. They are the most competent and
honest around. They do superb work. (No, I don't own the place.)