how do you tell if your rad is gone or on its way out

[JDMAlex]

my temp guage is going up and up often now and i know i needed to change coolent but i think my rad is in rough shape


what are some indicators that i might wanna look for before i replace it.

[TypeG]

when it pops and radiator fluid goes everywhere. nah, just look for leaks. it problaly is not clogged. if it holds fluid its good. mite be the coolant temp sensor. if you r going to replace it, try the koyo aluminium. later.

[1badwag]

if the car actual overheating and rad. looks clean
prob. i would say thermostat is bad most likely-common. mine would overheat after i got off the freeway and was ideling. go to HONDA dealer-no after market ones tend to fail more ovten
and the cap could cause it if its not holding presh.

[accordztech]

id backwash the radiator first to get all the crap out of it, crap inside of it can kill efficiency.

radiator would be my last bet...first id check the thermostat and then the coolant temp sensors.

thermostats usually dont last very long. but are easy to replace.

when ur overheating, or its heated up, after more than 10 minutes of idling, feel the upper radiator hose...it should be hot...then feel the bottom...it should feel hot as well...if nto then ur thermostat is slow and ready to be replaced.

oh also to help with cooling and efficiency a new radiator cap will help becuase it can sustain the pressure and higher the boiling point.

[JDMAlex]

the reason i asked , i got the A/C checked to see if it needed to be rechaged and when the mechanic took a look they said the radiator was on its way out and should be replaced.

i half beleve them because i dont normaly trust mechanics so i was wondering things to check on the rad before i go ahead and fix it.

[xfactortype1]

ok it probably looks beat to shyt then ok..visual inspection.

[Hybrid]

Check the back side of the rad near the bottom especially(towards the engine). When mine went there were fins missing and when i pushed lightly on the others they would break off.

[FishyMan]

my tips would be do a complete flush drain/refill, when you do:

inspect thermo (maybe even change it, and ck your cap)
inspect inside for rust, look at OLD COOLANT for metals, corrosion
inspect all the tubings

make sure ur fans come on

good luck