Cooling Considerations

Can’t get excited about radiator replacement? It is one of the most basic of “re and re” jobs in most shops, and as a result, it’s often left for the junior tech or apprentice. While the task is generally straightforward, are you leaving money on the table with each replacement? Here are a few ideas to make your next radiator a thinking tech’s task.

The vehicle in question is an older Honda Civic with high mileage but good compression. The owner noticed a slow coolant leak visible under the bumper and hot running in stop-and-go traffic. A pressure test was performed, although the calibrated eyeball told the story directly: the rad was toast.

With the radiator out of the engine bay, stop for a moment and consider the opportunities. New hoses and rad cap are a given, but what can you access now that’s difficult-to-impossible with the rad and fan assembly in place?