Replace radiator as insurance at 100K?

[bryan11]

How often are instances where a coolant leak from the radiator contaminates the transmission fluid and results in needing a new transmission?

Is this really rare, or is it worth spending $500 to replace the radiator as insurance? We just purchased a 2005 Pilot with 97,000 miles on it, so I'm wondering of it makes sense to do this when replacing the timing belt and water pump.

thanks,
Bryan

[humanoid]

Rare. But if it makes you sleep better at night, then go ahead and do it. But if you're paranoid about that sort of stuff, then you might as well change out any other parts you can think of before they fail.

[rocky]

It made me happier to replace it a year or so ago on my 05. Especially as I was going on a multi thousand mile trip over a holiday week with a car full of family. Still a good peace of mind decision.

[jl_ss]

Not extremely common, but not rare either. A number of MDX owners are doing preventative radiator replacement also. It happened to us. There are 2 failure modes: external corrosion of the fittings where the coolant just dumps out and internal corrosion allowing the coolant to mix with the tranny fluid. Ours was a mixing failure that was caught immediately. If driven until the tranny just slips, a new tranny is usually required.

[gettinold]

Very disappointed when my radiator sprung a small leak in the top corner where the plastic meets the metal about 5K ago at 92K. No collisions, no nothin'...

Was leaving for vacay when I noticed the temperature gage creep higher than usual then start to wobble a bit around the halfway mark... Took the next exit and found the radiator to be half empty! Boo.

t'was a very small leak that was trickling down the edge of the rad and hardly building up anywhere...

Replaced it with an after-market part after thinking long and hard about whether to put a stop-leak product in there

[bryan11]

Thanks to everyone for their help. A new radiator was ordered today. Since I'm already having the timing belt and water pump done, swapping out the radiator isn't that much more.

[dj5]

We had to replace the radiator in our 2006 Pilot at about 90k as it developed a small leak at the bottom seam. It was never enough to see any coolant leaks but you could smell there was a leak someplace.

[tangotango99]

Which brand aftermarket radiator is better?

[samc]

Just curious what did an OEM radiator cost you? I just searched and saw aftermarket ones for $150-200 for my '06 pilot. I figure I could just take it to my friend who can help me swap it out if needed. And yes which is a better aftermarket if that's the better choice?

[humanoid]

KOYO makes some quality radiators.

[jl_ss]

Originally Posted by humanoid

KOYO makes some quality radiators.

Koyo OEM Acura MDX comparison

[jl_ss]

Originally Posted by samc

Just curious what did an OEM radiator cost you? I just searched and saw aftermarket ones for $150-200 for my '06 pilot. I figure I could just take it to my friend who can help me swap it out if needed. And yes which is a better aftermarket if that's the better choice?

OEM is $270 @ Majestic. See the Koyo/OEM comparison link I posted.

[beato1]

hmm, been underneath my pilot a few times this month to replace vtm4 fluid and to inspect the transmission cooler. also been to acura mdx site (see links below)Transmission fluid line broke - Page 9 - Honda Ridgeline Owners Club Forums
Honda Ridgeline Owners Club Forums - View Single Post - Radiator failure @ cooler lines ...
and was worried about my pilot 2005 transmission cooler. my question is: since the defective parts (corroded washers) can be inspected and replaced, why replace the entire radiator?

[archie]

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[SeaPilot]

I got mine on Amazon. I think I paid about $170 for it. Avoid the really cheap ones because you might get what you pay for.

I had a coolant smell and couldn't track down the leak. I had the car apart to do the timing belt anyway so decided to replace the radiator as a possible source of the leak.
I still have a mild coolant smell but it's a lot less than it was.