Need Help! My car is going through radiators

dhjester · 12-05-2008, 10:18 PM

I have cracked a radiator and now have made a leak in another. 2 radiators in 3 weeks. I drained the coolant and it was clear (no contamination). Anyone out there have any thoughts. I have a brand new radiator in my car right now and I am afraid to drive it because I do not want to break this one.

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DCales · 12-07-2008, 02:03 AM

i dont know what the climate has been like where you live but if it has been below freezing there may be a possibility that your coolant had to much water content after the initial replacement. i have seen some cases where the so called 50/50 water coolant premixes havent done very well causing the coolant to freeze and create leaks. this is just an idea and doubtfull that this is the problem but its something to think about.

other than the obvious coolant quality concern you should have the cooling system including the cap pressure tested. very possible that a cylinder head gasket is starting to go as well. good luck

ttatsumi · 12-07-2008, 10:40 AM

I'd check the radiator cap. In my previous car, Integra GS-R i had the same problem. The shop I took went through 5 radiators within a week and a half (blown radiator after driving less than miles - dripping coolant) until I suggested replacing radiator cap. The radiator never cracked ever since until the frickin thieves stole my car until 6 mo. later. Let me know if this worked for you.

baggedwagon · 01-25-2010, 07:31 PM

Sorry to bring up a REALLY old thread but I'm having the same issue and its easier to just bump this one. Anyone else have any suggestions?

recce02 · 01-26-2010, 12:42 AM

Do a leak down and compression test. The last 2002 I worked on did the same thing at another dealership. I found that the head gasket had been toast. I am not saying that is your problem, but it is worth the test.

crampfan · 01-28-2010, 12:48 PM

breaking radiators repeatedly is almost always a sign of head gasket problems. I would recommend getting a leak down test performed

munkis · 01-29-2010, 04:56 PM

are they oem radiators?

12-05-2008, 10:18 PM	#1
dhjester Scooby Newbie Member#: 142954 Join Date: Mar 2007 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Washington Vehicle: 2003 WRX Wagon Sedona Red Pearl	Need Help! My car is going through radiators I have cracked a radiator and now have made a leak in another. 2 radiators in 3 weeks. I drained the coolant and it was clear (no contamination). Anyone out there have any thoughts. I have a brand new radiator in my car right now and I am afraid to drive it because I do not want to break this one. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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12-07-2008, 02:03 AM	#2
DCales Scooby Newbie Member#: 131509 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Winchester Va Vehicle: 2006 Impreza WRX WRB	i dont know what the climate has been like where you live but if it has been below freezing there may be a possibility that your coolant had to much water content after the initial replacement. i have seen some cases where the so called 50/50 water coolant premixes havent done very well causing the coolant to freeze and create leaks. this is just an idea and doubtfull that this is the problem but its something to think about. other than the obvious coolant quality concern you should have the cooling system including the cap pressure tested. very possible that a cylinder head gasket is starting to go as well. good luck

12-07-2008, 10:40 AM	#3
ttatsumi Scooby Newbie Member#: 85763 Join Date: Apr 2005 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NY	I'd check the radiator cap. In my previous car, Integra GS-R i had the same problem. The shop I took went through 5 radiators within a week and a half (blown radiator after driving less than miles - dripping coolant) until I suggested replacing radiator cap. The radiator never cracked ever since until the frickin thieves stole my car until 6 mo. later. Let me know if this worked for you.

01-25-2010, 07:31 PM	#4
baggedwagon Scooby Newbie Member#: 174147 Join Date: Mar 2008 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Omaha, NE Vehicle: 2002 WRX wagon Silver	Sorry to bring up a REALLY old thread but I'm having the same issue and its easier to just bump this one. Anyone else have any suggestions?

01-26-2010, 12:42 AM	#5
recce02 Scooby Specialist Member#: 13815 Join Date: Jan 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Good ol Temecula Vehicle: 02 GCRally prepped 277TQ 281HP 19PSI	Do a leak down and compression test. The last 2002 I worked on did the same thing at another dealership. I found that the head gasket had been toast. I am not saying that is your problem, but it is worth the test.

01-28-2010, 12:48 PM	#6
crampfan Scooby Specialist Member#: 74321 Join Date: Nov 2004 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: clarksville AR Vehicle: 2004 wrx wag black UTEC stg 4	breaking radiators repeatedly is almost always a sign of head gasket problems. I would recommend getting a leak down test performed

01-29-2010, 04:56 PM	#7
munkis Scooby Guru Member#: 1847 Join Date: Jul 2000 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: brokenmotorsports.com Vehicle: Team Broken: V6 GF rallyarmor.com	are they oem radiators?