Well, finally got it fixed, yesterday. Went to the radiator place, at Te Puke and a very nice chap Dallas did the job. Just over the 2 hour mark and cost just over the $260 mark! Next job, cambelts at about $1200, gulp.
ianalice1,
Dec 19, 7:57pm
Our 1999 Honda Odyssey seems to have sprung a leak around top of radiator.
Looks like a plastic one.
Any ideas on cost of fix and replacing anti-freeze, etc!
We in Papamoa/Tauranga and not a good time of year!
kazbanz,
Dec 19, 8:08pm
count on $350 and Id get it done asap
ianalice1,
Dec 19, 9:46pm
Okay, what about just repairing the top tank seal!
edangus,
Dec 19, 11:53pm
Personally. if the tops not good, the bottom is probably just as bad.
thejazzpianoma,
Dec 20, 12:17am
ianalice1, I was quite pleased with the service at the radiator specialists in Te Puke (Main road on the right near Repco, you have probably seen them). Not sure if they do fitting or not but might be a good source of advice and parts. I would suggest giving them or The Garage a call a.s.a.p tomorrow. You are likely going to have a wait now until after Christmas though wherever you go and its not something you really want to be driving around with at the moment.
If you find yourself in a real pickle let me know, I will help out if I can.
ianalice1,
Dec 20, 2:50am
Thanks Alex. Yes unsure what to do. Not using much water, but some. Nice to know there are people like you around, Ian
theram1,
Dec 20, 2:53am
They do the complete service and are good to deal with. hopefully they can help this time of year.
thejazzpianoma,
Dec 20, 4:59am
You are most welcome Ian.
What's concerning me is with radiator leaks, what starts as something minor can suddenly become a major leak without warning.
If this happens, its easy to not notice the gauge/light until its too late and wind up with a blown head gasket. At the very least you will likely be stranded and need to be towed home at significant expense.
I don't mean to scare you I am just worried about your continued driving of it in the interim. You will of course probably get away with it, but if it were me I wouldn't be risking it.
ianalice1,
Dec 20, 1:06pm
Hi, again, Alex. Yes I quite understand. The last 3 weeks we have had to make 3 return trips, to Waikato Hospital to see my wife's specialist. Quite scary, but when we have no alternative and wasn't till yesterday that I finally notice where it was coming from. Just had a slight drop, in water level, before. But will holiday season upon us, I'll check it each morning, until I can get it checked. Ian
ianalice1,
Dec 20, 1:07pm
Thanks, for that. t Buy Now:$190.00 and $20 fright seems quite resonable.
thejazzpianoma,
Dec 20, 2:42pm
Ianalice1,
If you have to make another Hamilton trip over the Christmas season before you can get it fixed I might be able to lend you the Multipla. Its manual and looks a bit rough but its reliable.
Better that than cooking the Honda and being stranded miles from home.
I think I may know how to get in touch with you if you would like me to. (I used to live near you and have a fairly good idea who you are).
Best to give me a yell today if you think you might need it as the family will be descending upon us for Christmas from tonight. That said, if you get stuck after today still get in touch as I should still be able to make time to drop it off to you.
kazbanz,
Dec 20, 2:53pm
Ian- basicly as jazz has said you can choose. Replace the rad where and when you want to --or when IT decides its going to blow up. Sorry mon Im not for a second trying to be alarmist here or be an internet "warrior" but best spend the money get the job done so you have peace of mind. You are bang on right-what if it only needs a top tank! -might be an easy fix for you now.
thejazzpianoma,
Dec 20, 3:19pm
Whats this! An admission from Kaz that I am right! Perhaps the world is about to end after all!
Merry Christmas Kazbanz!
tuttyclan,
Dec 20, 4:55pm
Just make sure you get the right one for your car,some are for the 4 cylinder and some are for the 6 cylinder ones.
kazbanz,
Dec 20, 5:27pm
Whey ya right ya right I aint gonna argue. Common sense an all that. We WERE gonna be down your way at N years but instead we will be in the windy city
thejazzpianoma,
Dec 20, 6:09pm
Both good choices! (Used to live in Wellington). Shame you don't have something nice to better enjoy the drive down.
I might just have to drop in and bother you over a coffee when I am up your way sometime, I'll bring the chocolate biscuits.
ianalice1,
Dec 20, 9:16pm
Just had a look, at radiator, after coming back from doctors, and it "seems" to have a little pin hole where the tin strips holds it on. Is that a major, or as easier fix!
tuttyclan,
Dec 20, 11:06pm
You could put in some radiator stop leak or chem weld or similar,the only trouble with that it might block up the rest of the radiator.Its more of a get you home fix or cheap fix and sell car .
thejazzpianoma,
Dec 21, 12:28am
Yeah, I wouldn't, its likely to compromise the cooling efficiency of the engine and given your use you need it to be fixed properly.
thejazzpianoma,
Dec 21, 12:31am
I wouldn't want to comment without seeing it as I am not familiar with the radiator setup in those. Someone else here might be able to give you more of an idea.
I would suggest you get it looked over pretty thoroughly by a mechanic though if you decide to repair and carry on with the same radiator. If there is one hole there may be other weak points and the next time it goes it may cause more major problems for you.
Best of luck with it.
ianalice1,
Dec 21, 10:18pm
Thanks again for all the advice.
I'll do my best to "nurse it" untill I can get into my repairer.
Thanking, from what been said, looking at new radiator!
My son said, :Goto pick a part and get a secondhand one. No thank you.
So thinking, new radiator, full clean and flush, new thermostat, radiator cap and 50/50 antifreeze.
That's gona cost, more than an arm and a leg, you think!
carclan,
Dec 22, 3:32pm
Wrong, the top will go before the bottom as it is the hotest part of the radiator. However it is good practice to change both at the same time.
kazbanz,
Dec 22, 4:17pm
ian -I quoted you the price for a new rad. I did think though if its just one tiny pinhole then why not sand it back so its clean plastic anduse araldite to effect a temp repair. --It would better than a definite hole
doug207,
Dec 22, 4:44pm
Not usually, it's always the top/hot sides that split. But, it's probably worth the extra hundred or so to put a new rad on, it's been through thousands of heat cycles and plastic doesn't like that
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