[Parsec]

How do these washer/nuts look to you guys? I found the easiest method to take the picture was to stick my arm down from the top and keep taking pictures blind until I got a good one. First one is the passenger side and 2nd is the driver side.

To my untrained eye, they look like they're about to go. I have an appointment next week with my local radiator shop. $450 installed for "either a Koyo or Spectra". If he gives me the Spectra I'm going to ask for a $50 discount

 

[DRL]

Here's pics of my '06 with 214,000 km for comparison. Although I have no crystal ball I believe mine were very close to costing me a transmission. I went with the Spectra because of the brass fittings and immediate availability. 2 hours and $375 plus tax. Next day I changed my trans fluid. Nova Scotia and Mass share similar corrosion factors.

The way I looked at it was $375 vs $4,000.....

 

[Hamhocs]

OMG DRL! Those are the worst I've seen yet. I think you were lucky they never failed.

 

[Parsec]

DRL, thanks for sharing. Yours look worse than mine, but I am not taking any chances on mine. I bought mine used with cash and plan on keeping it for many years (even as a 3rd vehicle later on for trash duty).

Maybe we can use this thread to compile everyone's pictures in 1 spot.

 

[DRL]

OMG DRL! Those are the worst I've seen yet. I think you were lucky they never failed.

Yep, the O ring was the only thing holding it together. The fitting pulled out when the tech lightly wiggled it by hand. As you can see by pic 2, the steel flat washer is completely gone allowing the Belleville washer to distort leading to ultimate failure of the connection.

JMO, but on any RL, Pilot or MDX that uses the Denso radiator and is over 5 years old should have an inspection of these trans line fittings and if there is corrosion, replace the rad as preventative maintenance.

Regular antifreeze changes and trans fluid changes have nothing to do with and will not alter the outcome with this built in failure.

It's the hidden corrosion that'll get you.

 

[tpevehouse]

Parsec, from all the photos I have seen on this forum those are not yet in the "OMG" zone like DRL. DRL was flat out lucky they didn't blow on his way to the shop... If it was my truck, I would book the appointment like you did and just get it over with.

 

[Elkhunter]

DRL was definitely lucky for sure! Parsec, I might be wrong, but it looks like there may be some cracking of the washer in the initial picture. May want to look into that

 

[Smokey619]

Those looked real rusted, now makes me have to check them and if they look rusted well its time to put more money into it

 

[Parsec]

I got my radiator replaced yesterday with a CSF 2830 radiator (according to the invoice). It shares the same p/n with some other brands, so I suspect they're all the same (i.e. Spectra).

I was charged retail for the radiator ($199, even though I found it online for around $100), $160 for 2 hours of labor (remove and replace radiator, check tranny fluid, and bleed cooling system), $19 for Honda Type 2 coolant, $9 for Honda DW-1 fluid, and about $20 in shop supplies for a total of $418.

Attached are some more pics of the corroded fittings on my old radiator and a pic of the brass fitting on my new radiator. Got everything replaced on this truck in the past year (timing belt, all fluids, tires, brake pads and radiator). Now looking forward to another few years of maintenance-free driving! :act035:

 

[DRL]

Your fittings are the same as the Spectra installed in my RL. I sprayed mine with Rust Check Coat & Protect from underneath the truck just to give them a little more protection and I plan on repeated spraying once a year.

BTW your old fittings, at least on the outside don't look that much better than mine did. It would be interesting to see how much twist/pull action it would take to pop your old ones out.

 

[tiggar]

is honda still using this same radiator today, or did they correct the problem?

 

[bluewater1]

is honda still using this same radiator today, or did they correct the problem?

Same radiator.

 

[Parsec]

is honda still using this same radiator today, or did they correct the problem?

2006 p/n: 19010-RJE-A52
2012 p/n: 19010-RN0-A52

The radiator is slightly different, but they are both made by Denso and they both use the same basic design with the flawed steel washer.

 

[DRL]

Duhh! :act060: Honda

 

[Make It Rain]

I purchased my RL in January with 130k miles, all the radiator posts had me curious so I took some pictures of the fittings this morning. What does everyone think? In need of replacement?

 

[schwejo]

Of course the 64k dollar question, but mine looked quite a bit worse than that when I replaced it and when I pulled the fittings apart to get an even better look there was no evidence of the threads beginning to pull apart. Looking at yours, I don't see any evidence yet of the suspect washer corroding to the point where it swells and pulls the threads out. That's the final failure when the washer swells to the point where it physically rips the threads out of the internal ATF cooler/temp "conditioner" Personally I'd watch it and make the swap when you have time. It will need to be done eventually and there isn't any real savings by waiting so even if you figure you have a few years, why not just get it done when convenient rather than in fire fight mode? I was just beginning to obsess on fishing trips on logging roads etc and not wanting to get stranded and also figuring that more jiggly conditions might make it fail sooner, but I don't think you are in any immediate danger....

 

[Parsec]

I purchased my RL in January with 130k miles, all the radiator posts had me curious so I took some pictures of the fittings this morning. What does everyone think? In need of replacement?

Wow, it looks like new. You must live in Arizona or somewhere dry.

 

[mechmotion]

Mine failed about a year and a half ago. If the radiator goes on you and you stop and shut off the truck quickly enough, you should be OK. I attempted driving for another mile on the freeway before I pulled over, yet my transmission is fine. It took it about a month for it to get used to the fresh fluid, but it's been going strong ever since. Now I just have to replace that worn out motor mount...

 

[ridge?]

2006 p/n: 19010-RJE-A52
2012 p/n: 19010-RN0-A52

The radiator is slightly different, but they are both made by Denso and they both use the same basic design with the flawed steel washer.

I was considering a RL. Now.... ???

Currently have a CRV and last 2nd vehicle was a Civic. I'm truly surprised Honda:

1) Made such an obvious mistake.

2) Hasn't made everyone whole who's been (and could potentially be) damaged by this.

?????

 

[tiggar]

your right "ridge?" I should have done my research first....I bought a 2012 Pilot for the wife, and a 2012 Ridgeline for myself....after reading all this I could be in for a real mess in 5 years or so. I should have went with a Toyota Highlander for the wife, and a Toyota Tacoma for myself.