Radiator Fail on 2006

So you own a 2006 and a 2013.

Yes, gave the 2006 Ridge to my son, we just figured out the tranny/coolant leak is the tranny connector bottom of radiator. I have the 2013 Ridge, ready for the new model when it is available.

BernieReilly said:

My 2006 Ridge with 180K miles, suddenly steam from under the hood, stopped moving, antifreeze and tranny oil all over the place. I assumed the tranny cooler leaked into the radiator. Actually the tranny fluid feed line popped out of the radiator, that not only lets the tranny fluid get pumped out, but that fitting also seals the coolant. Good news, should be no damage to the tranny, bad news gotta buy a new radiator, now in the mail.

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Hope you are right about the tranny. Read up on this problem, affectionately know as "SMOD" which is short for strawberry milkshake of death. If the vechicle is run for any significant time in this state, coolant is sucked into the transmission and can very easily lead to transmission failure. Transmission fluid takes on the appearance of a strawberry milkshake . . . .As a minimum, you should change out your transmission fluid multiple times. Good luck~

Not trying to rub it in or blame, just tell the story that I just took the precaution of sinking the $500 to replace the radiator last month based on the reports found here and the Honda dealer looked at me like I had 5 heads... why would you do that (although they did not argue about using the after market radiator) ? Kind of made me feel that way too, it looked pretty good when they took it out (164k miles)... but fear of the above is what made me do it.

BernieReilly said:

My 2006 Ridge with 180K miles, suddenly steam from under the hood, stopped moving, antifreeze and tranny oil all over the place. I assumed the tranny cooler leaked into the radiator. Actually the tranny fluid feed line popped out of the radiator, that not only lets the tranny fluid get pumped out, but that fitting also seals the coolant. Good news, should be no damage to the tranny, bad news gotta buy a new radiator, now in the mail.

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Hey Bernie.....
This (radiator/trans cooler line failure) is a HUGE topic of interest here on the forum. It would be fantastic if you could possibly get some pics of those fittings where they enter the radiator (or "used to enter" in one case).

Also, can you say whether they looked very corroded at all? Especially the washer behind the actual fitting (between fitting & radiator).

Thanks if you can.......

I will try to post a photo. With the radiator out it is very clear that the nipple connection that tightens onto the lower radiator popped from its threads, can't see inside but it appears as though the tranny fluid cooling coil inside the radiator is aluminum and it corroded away, so the threads on the nipple lost any grip. . For curiosity I tried to loosen the other nipple, the one that did not fall off, after about a quarter turn it just popped off. And as I mentioned, it is essential that the nipple is tight to seal off the radiator coolant, a gasket makes that seal. Once the nipple pops, radiator coolant leaks around that connection.

One more thing, taking out the radiator not that complex. Gotta take off the plastic air dam, all those little fasteners, the fans come off easily, pop a couple wires, do not need to mess with the air conditioning coils, or whatever that other cooling coil does.

Is there a thread here that recommends aftermarket replacement brands? Do aftermarket radiators use a different design, not as prone to failure here?

hokiefyd said:

Is there a thread here that recommends aftermarket replacement brands? Do aftermarket radiators use a different design, not as prone to failure here?

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Yes, both the CSF and Spectra Radiators use a different fitting setup/materials for the ATF Cooler in the Radiator. Using the Search in the top blue bar you can find them all. Below is one, it also includes some pictures

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66898

Hay folks, I too have an 06 Ridgeline (75,000 miles) Are all models effected? The reason I ask is I believe the RTX has an upgraded cooling system due to it's towing configuration. Is this still something I have to be concerned with?

The cooling system (Radiator & ATF Cooler) are standard thru all models RT, RTS, RTL, RTX, SPORT & SE. The 2006(introduced in 03/2005) thru 2008 use one Radiator & the 2009-2014 use a different radiator. It is possible that some 2009's will use the later Radiator.

CSF 3284 2006-2008
CSF 3402 2009-2014
CSF Catalog

I believe the primary upgrade for the RTX is the Hitch & 7 pin trailer harness is factory installed.

Carsmak said:

Yes, both the CSF and Spectra Radiators use a different fitting setup/materials for the ATF Cooler in the Radiator. Using the Search in the top blue bar you can find them all. Below is one, it also includes some pictures

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66898

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Great; thanks! I didn't see that thread before. Cheers!

This happened to ours last year with 170,000 on it. Luckily my wife is one smart chik and shut it down immediately.
Getting it towed home (I always seem to be at the firehouse when these things happen) promptly and we were able to repair with no lasting issues to engine or transmission.
As I do as much work as possibleon my vehicles, I am always looking for wear and maintenance issues and there was never noticeable corrosion or advance warning for it.

We are getting ready to turn over 200,000 on it though and that is the only major problem we have had and I do a lot of towing with it.

So still happy with the Ridgeline.

This just happened on my 2006 Ridgeline RT. Got my new radiator installed and there was no damage to my transmission. It happened at 102,600 miles.

crazyx2 said:

This happened to ours last year with 170,000 on it. Luckily my wife is one smart chik and shut it down immediately.
Getting it towed home (I always seem to be at the firehouse when these things happen) promptly and we were able to repair with no lasting issues to engine or transmission.
As I do as much work as possibleon my vehicles, I am always looking for wear and maintenance issues and there was never noticeable corrosion or advance warning for it.

We are getting ready to turn over 200,000 on it though and that is the only major problem we have had and I do a lot of towing with it.

So still happy with the Ridgeline.

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The bold part above is most interesting. This would seem to support the dissimilar metal corrosion theory and would indicate this occurs from the inside out vs external corrosion working its way inward.

I still maintain the safest course of action is to replace the radiator when you do the TB/WP service.

speedlever said:

The bold part above is most interesting. This would seem to support the dissimilar metal corrosion theory and would indicate this occurs from the inside out vs external corrosion working its way inward.

I still maintain the safest course of action is to replace the radiator when you do the TB/WP service.

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Even with 2009+ models?

ktm_525 said:

Even with 2009+ models?

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Carsmak said:

The cooling system (Radiator & ATF Cooler) are standard thru all models RT, RTS, RTL, RTX, SPORT & SE. The 2006(introduced in 03/2005) thru 2008 use one Radiator & the 2009-2014 use a different radiator. It is possible that some 2009's will use the earlier Radiator.

CSF 3284 2006-2008
CSF 3402 2009-2014
CSF Catalog

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So far I don't know of any reported issues with the later radiator, FWIW, I'd only check into UOA (Fluid Testing) if I owned a 2009 or later. It's a different part number from CSF, and if you check with Honda it's a different number from Honda too.

Thanks for all of the links in your post above -- very helpful.

Are you saying that 2009+ models may not be affected by this design "feature" (the dissimilar metal theory on the earlier models)?