Some 90 Accord cooling questions

My 90 Accord LX coupe (129,000 mi) has had cooling system problems for
about the last month. When they first arose, the mechanic said I'd run
out of coolant, and that he could see *some* deterioration beginning
in the radiator, but that I could keep driving it and should monitor
closely.

Well, this week I've smelled that sweet celery smell twice. Coolant
vapor is coming out of somewhere, and the second time I saw coolant
itself come out on the ground when stopping (I may have overfilled
last time, because this was the only time I saw any coolant spill out
at all).

I'm thinking it's time to take the plunge and fix this, but I'm not
sure how to determine what's leaking. As far as the radiator is
concerned, how would I determine whether to replace the whole thing or
not? Many accounts here mention simply replacing the top tank.

 

Many accounts here certainly do *not*.
Replace the whole thing, I paid less than $130CDN.

 

(Pete from Boston) spake unto the masses in

Does your reservoir level tend to rise mysteriously?

Get your mechanic to do a pressure test (NOT a compression test).
Suspecting a blown head gasket here.

 

My honda mech says that the accord in that timeframe are famous for
the distributor leaking oil onto a lower water hose, which
swells/leaks. Might be worth a look.

 

Thanks for the replies. A second mechanic has failed to find any
problem with the head gasket, which is a relief, but the radiator's
got to go. A substantially cheaper project in the end, I'm happy to
say.