'91 Accord Radiator Removal

The top plastic tank on my '91 Accord has cracked. Getting the radiator out
does not appear to be all that easy. Can anyone give me some guidance on
removal? The car is an LX model, with A/C.

Thank you,

- Phil

 

My '92 is the same. I have a 5spd, so your results may be different.
The radiator lifts out with the fans attached. Hardest part is
disconnecting the wire harnesses. Take the lower hose loose at the
thermostat housing, and snake it out with the radiator. Watch where it
goes, so you can thread it back in.
Move the needed parts from old to new on the work bench. BE CAREFUL not
to over tighten the bolts that hold the fans to the radiator frame. On
some radiators, the 'nut' for the bolts is soldered to the radiator, and
is easy to twist off.
The Haynes manual is a good one for this job if you need pictures.
bob

 

Ditto on the Haynes manual for this car and job. I thought this job was so
easy that I have almost no recollection of it. I have the 5 spd too so don't
know if that would make a difference.

 

The top of my radiator had a hairline crack just about the length, so
I tried to fix it with epoxy, but it never held. Too big of a crack.
So I just finished replacing the radiator in my 92 Accord with AC and
automatic. I have the Accord Honda manual. However, the manual did
not say how to do it, only showed a picture of the parts removed and
where they go. This was still helpful.

It took me a while. The hardest thing was to find the right tool to
remove the big clamps because of the lack of room. Slowly but surely,
I got each clamp off. Not much room to maneuver. When you disconnect
the transmission lines, you will lose fluid that's in the hose, but
that's all. The AC suction line is in the way, so you don't have much
room.

Getting the electrical connections off on the driver side fan was
hard. There are two connectors. One to the fan, and one to somewhere
else. The passenger side fan is easy. Pull the radiator out with the
fans on it. The passenger fan will hit the AC hose, so you have to
move it out of the way. Naturally you have to remove the tie down on
the AC line.

Getting hoses back on is easy. Be sure that the clamps pressed on the
hose close to the same way. My job leaked on the top hose, but I
reoriented it and it's OK.

I bought a $100 aluminum radiator and the fins are very, very easy to
bend if you happen to hit them with a wrench or pliers. I was going
to buy the Denso for $220, but decided against it. I'm selling the
car soon. The original Denso must have been copper because it was
twice the weight of the aluminum one.

good luck. If you need more info, post.

 

I got the radiator out using your instructions. I could not even begin to
get to the lower clamp on the radiator, so disconnected the other end, and
pulled the radiator out with hose attached. This was not easy, but easier I
think than trying to fight with that lower clamp. I bought new screw type
clamps to make the installation go easier. The shop just put on a
replacement top tank and had it back to me in 2-1/2 hours for $125. The
wiring connectors on the driver side are a pain, but after some scratches on
my hands and arms, got those off. The A/C hose was in the way, especially
with me dragging the lower radiator hose out with the radiator.

Your tips helped. Thanks. Now, I just hope I can get it back together with
a little less effort.

- Phil