spectra radiator install

Dnick · Feb 15, 2015

beach said:
I also bought a new rad due to Paranoia. Purchased a Spectra ,and when run the line leaked , So, tighten it !. ...Well with a half turn and the line pushed off the rad fitting and also through the retaining nut. Upon inspection the flare was way to small , so I managed to get the nut back on the line and ran a flare tool on the line and it held . Not impressed .

Where did you purchase it from??

Slider · Feb 16, 2015

Got mine from Amazon and the bottom line was in there but when I turned it by hand to make sure it was tight it came out in my hand. Clearly someone wrenched it (you're not supposed to) and sent it back. Obviously Amazon had me a new one after little trouble but the new one has been fine for 15k.

beach · Feb 20, 2015

Purchased it through Amazon .Ca

Carsmak · Feb 23, 2015

Well I guess I forgot to update this in October 2013 when I installed my Radiator.

Ordered it from Amazon, the first one was shipped in just the box the radiator came in, the box got pretty beat up by UPS, so I requested a replacement and the second one came from Amazon in a box with packing paper and then the radiator box with the Radiator inside. This threw off my schedule of doing it in September 2013 so I ended up doing it in October 2013. Overall it went well I pulled the lower hose and checked it decided it looked good enough and was going to do it when i did the Timing Belt.

Been watching my temp gauge and my "ScanTool" Gauge and overall it has been running well. Infact so well that I pulled the ScanTool and have it in my Del Sol checking it.

Well Saturday 2/21/15, I'm driving home from a friends house and in a drive thru getting lunch and the temp gauge spike's up from about just below the water symbol (normal) to about 3/4 of the way up to the Red Line. I engage the heater on "HI" and it drops down to normal. I pull out of the drive thru, into a parking space and pop the hood, one of the fans is running the overflow is about 1/2 full so I decide to drive toward home about 2 miles and as I stop for 1 red light, and the thermometer starts to spike up. The light turns green and I decide to keep heading for home while driving it drops down toward the normal range again. I get to the stop sign by my house and it spikes up again and I now can smell coolant. I continue toward home and park it on the driveway and leave the car running (keeping the water pump running) pop the hood the overflow is empty and there is a water pouring out the middle of the replacement radiator. At this point I decide to turn the truck off and then water sprays out of the top of the radiator and bottom.

I guess my only questions are:

How is everyone else with a Spectra Radiator doing?

Has anyone attempted to "Rebuild the OEM Radiator", yes I still have mine.

Any other thoughts?

Dnick · Feb 23, 2015

WOW... that is unexpected performance! I only remember good reports on Spectra from those here who have used it. Is it possible they have more than one version, and maybe you got the 'lesser' of their product line??
In either case, what's the warranty on it.... I'd want to see if they won't send you a new one.
Radiators should not come apart like that (leaking at the tank, right?).
You probably just got a bad one, so honestly your replacement will probably be fine either way. As inexpensive as the new ones are, I'm not sure a rebuild would be worth it.

EDIT: Did you confirm that leak was as "separations" in radiator (fins, tank, etc.)?? I'm asking because if the coolant was coming from the cap itself, it's possible you had problems with a thermostat not opening all the way...... just wanted to mention that point, since generally speaking, a stuck thermostat or blown hose is more likely to occur than structural separations on a new radiator (unless it was damaged in shipment of course?). They are often plastic now days, so anything is possible. (I assume the Spectra is plastic as well)

Slider · Feb 24, 2015

Mine's perfect. Not a hint of a problem and I guess I have 18k on it.

Kootbiker · Feb 24, 2015

Mine is OK, 16 months and 22,000kms later.

northernlights · Feb 24, 2015

Interesting.......

Carsmak · Mar 2, 2015

Dnick said:
WOW... EDIT: Did you confirm that leak was as "separations" in radiator (fins, tank, etc.)?? No I have not. I'm asking because if the coolant was coming from the cap itself, it's possible you had problems with a thermostat not opening all the way... I thought of that also, but since the overflow emptied I believe that would imply the thermostat was open and the system was moving water thru? just wanted to mention that point, since generally speaking, a stuck thermostat or blown hose is more likely to occur than structural separations on a new radiator (unless it was damaged in shipment of course?). They are often plastic now days, so anything is possible. (I assume the Spectra is plastic as well)

I checked all the hoses, and clamps, I had replaced them from the spring type that Honda typically uses to traditional screw type. All are still intact and connected. To see if the tank has a separation issue, I'll have to remove it and I didn't have time yet to do it.

I have found that the radiator has a 2 year warranty and I will be checking how difficult that is to make a claim on. I'm also checking with a local shop on rebuilding, upgrading the OEM radiator. I'm not really a fan of plastic tanks and the existing internal transmission cooler/preheater system.

Sorry I haven't gotten back to anyone on this the last week was pretty packed already and although I've read the response's replying from my iPad was more work than I was into.

The whole thing has me pretty pissed and I needed to step away before I took a hammer to something.:act064:

Carsmak · Mar 17, 2015

Specrtra Radiator Fail & No Support from Amazon/Spectra

Well finally tore into the Radiator, Ordered some new parts along with it. I'm going to deal with Spectra on a Warranty claim but I'm not holding my breath.

They say a Picture is worth a 1000 words, I've got a Video too, not sure if it will load.

Last Pic, I'll have to find out how to post the Video from someone.

Basically it'a a pinhole on the bottom 1/4 on the Drivers Front side

speedlever · Mar 17, 2015

You might try Imgur.com for your video. I haven't used it for that, but use it often for images that I post here and elsewhere.

Carsmak · Mar 17, 2015

Ok, Lets try this.

Spectra Radiator Fail

Granted it's not under pressure/load. I looped the inlet and outlet together with the existing old upper and lower hoses and a 7/8" craftsman socket and then just filled it with water from the hose. While pulling it though I can tell you that the little hole "sprayed" coolant every where. Once this is done I'll really have to detail the engine. It's only 5 seconds so I'm certain I can post it to vine, but I'll have to load the app in my phone first and then see if we can embed that in this page.

And yes I realize that the radiator has several "fins" bent but that was the "good one" from Amazon, the first was much worse.

Why for $20 more I ordered it locally, and although it was brand new in the box, per my request he pulled it out and pressure tested it, no leaks or anything with the "CSF" radiator and no water on the ATF Preheater/Cooler side either.

I did also have him look at the OEM radiator and replacing the Preheater would have been $300 or more, new hand built lower tank and his preference would have been a new core and upper tank also.

And on a side note, I've seen reference to "Pulling" a coolant drain plug from the "Rear of the engine", I'm in the area, truck lifted up on jack stands and so on but I didn't easily see anything that jumped out at me as being a drain plug. I've searched the site but if anyone who has done this has a "pic" that would be greatly appreciated. Or if you have the Service Manual and can give me some other point of reference that would be appreciated.

speedlever · Mar 17, 2015

Here ya go:

Dnick · Mar 18, 2015

Great Pic Speed!

Carsmak · Mar 18, 2015

Update: Spectra Radiator Warrenty Useless

I've contacted both Spectra and Amazon and neither will do anything with the radiator so unless someone has another idea. I've got 2 core's for experimentation, so if someone knows of or can suggest a custom radiator shop in Southern CA, I'd like to talk to them. I've found a few back east and I'm also looking at bypassing the transmission portion in the future.

Spectra says to return it to where it was purchased and Amazon states that is is beyond the return period. Go Figure...

I'll update more once the CSF Radiator is up and running hopefully this weekend

speedlever · Mar 18, 2015

Carsmak said:
Spectra says to return it to where it was purchased and Amazon states that is is beyond the return period. Go Figure...

I'll update more once the CSF Radiator is up and running hopefully this weekend

Well there's a case for buying locally. Interesting.

chiefwigms · Apr 4, 2015

are you guys swapping hoses/clamps? i went to the stealership, and they wanted $90 for the two bigger hoses + clamps

Dnick · Apr 4, 2015

Personally, that's just the kind of parts I would NEVER buy from a dealer. They are pretty much commodity items that should be available from any parts store.

Carsmak · Apr 22, 2015

speedlever said:
Here ya go:

Update#1. I opened this drain, got less than 1/2 a quart so for what it's worth do it at your risk/benefit. Yes I changed this fluid 18 months ago. It was a nice blue then, but now it was a black/blue green.

This is why I'm changing the hoses too, @ 10 years old they seem to be disintegrating from the inside. I will be sending this off to the Lab for testing...

Carsmak · Apr 22, 2015

Dnick said:
Personally, that's just the kind of parts I would NEVER buy from a dealer. They are pretty much commodity items that should be available from any parts store.

UPDATE #2
I used to agree with you D, but I have to disagree with you now. I ordered the upper & lower hoses from curryacuraparts.com, but for whatever reason, I received 2 upper hoses, so at first I tried to call the local Honda dealer, but they needed 2 days & I was trying to finish before I went out of town.

I then called Pepboys, O'Reilly, both needed a day. Autozone actually had it at a location further than my closest store. So off I went, and once there I was unsure on the length and didn't have the old hose with me, but went ahead and bought it anyway. Once home, comparing it to the 10 year hose it felt quite soft & once installed it didn't seem to fit. Having shortened the original, since I had to cut it off the block & off the radiator.

So I stopped the install & postponed the finish for another couple weekends. Curry was going to send me it for free & said to keep the upper for the trouble. With east to west coast shipping & having to order it in to be shipped it took a week to arrive...

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