Project IRX: CRX-Insight Renaissance Experiment - Page 10 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Christ · 08-30-2009, 02:30 AM

If you have to go to a radiator shop anyway, you could always figure out exactly what size you'd need, and what shape, and take them a couple old radiators, and they could braze them into whatever shape you wanted, and add aluminum end tanks to them for you, with the hoses routed however you want. It can be cheaper than buying a new rad, sometimes.

In fact, you might even be able to get away with taking your OEM radiator down so that it's only half it's height, but the full length, and only gets air from the lower grille. They'd just saw it in half, stack the sections one in front of the other, then add custom end tanks to keep circulation in a common direction.

Custom radiators are da shiznit. :P

SVOboy · 08-30-2009, 02:32 AM

There's only one opening on the car anyway, as you're remember.

Anyway, I don't particularly feel like messing around with that stuff right now. As long as it runs and gets better mileage, I'll be happy

Christ · 08-30-2009, 02:35 AM

Pish posh...

There actually are two openings on the Civic sedan models, and maybe the Civic Hatch models. The CRX got a different bumper which has a filler panel instead of a grille at the hood line. Mibad!

I just make off the wall suggestions to make you think... does it work?

SVOboy · 08-30-2009, 02:38 AM

No. I never think!

However, the Insight rad has a small leak up near the reservoir on one of the corners? Ty suggested finding it and brazing it up with some silver solder. Good idea?

Christ · 08-30-2009, 02:44 AM

Well, does it have plastic end tanks?

If Yes, unbend the tabs that hold it, apply a new bead of sealant all the way around it, then clamp them back on. If the radiator core itself has a hole in it, yes, you can solder/braze it with no problems.

If you have metal end tanks, and they're welded on, just solder up wherever you're losing pressure from on a standard pressure test (the adapters are easy to make for pressure testing radiators and intercoolers, etc.)

SVOboy · 08-30-2009, 02:48 AM

Plastic end tanks. I'll see where the leak is on the morrow. Damage from a wreck so I think it's probably something I'll need to braze since it was a little warped (but not much).

Anyway, tomorrow is the day for that kind of stuff. Stupid, expensive cars.

Christ · 08-30-2009, 02:56 AM

Yep, plastic end tanks, if you can't find the leak, try to bend back the tabs, break the seals on the tanks with a razor knife, and reseal the end tanks, then hammer the tabs back in place. Be VERY CAREFUL that you don't break the tabs. Try heating them with a soldering torch before bending them, they're not very strong metal.

If you attempt to re-seal the end tanks, make sure that you're using a coolant-tolerant sealer, like Silicone, lay a thin bead, set the end tank on flush, and then clamp the end tank on tightly after it skins over, but before re-folding the tabs. Don't refold the tabs until it sets up completely, as you could disturb the sealant.

If it was tweaked when you got it, you may have to re-braze the tubes to the end tank mounting plate in a few places. Best bet is to pressure test it with water in it, and mark where the water is spraying out.

Get a pair of rubber pipe caps from a hardware store, punch a hole in one and bolt in a clamp-type valve stem. Clamp them both on, fill the rad with water, cover the discharge port for overflow, if equipped, set an air regulator to 16-20 PSI, and pump it up and maintain pressure for a few mins. If no leaks, no problems. If it's leaking, mark the location prior to evacuating the water, then disassemble and seal leak.

Wonderboy · 08-30-2009, 03:34 AM

I may be able to cart those hf parts Christ has down there. I'm also tired of driving making that trip to the Philly area every week, and through awful suburban traffic every day. Perhaps if you can hold off long enough, Matt could drop the parts off here in binghamton after his PA pilgrimage, then I will truck them down on my weekly journey. In the meantime, do you mind going to middlesex to check out that insight and get the real scoop on it's condition?

Christ · 08-30-2009, 12:11 PM

There is an Insight in good looking condition on CL for like $7500... I think it's a '05?

It's local to you and I, Wonderboy.

Also, if Matt doesn't want to stuff those parts in his Prius (I wouldn't blame him, honestly.) I can always make a trip up to you, I'll just use it for an excuse to go to Gary's again and see what scores I can make while I'm there.

SVOboy · 08-30-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wonderboy

I may be able to cart those hf parts Christ has down there. I'm also tired of driving making that trip to the Philly area every week, and through awful suburban traffic every day. Perhaps if you can hold off long enough, Matt could drop the parts off here in binghamton after his PA pilgrimage, then I will truck them down on my weekly journey. In the meantime, do you mind going to middlesex to check out that insight and get the real scoop on it's condition?

Did you talk to the guys at that junkyard already? What did they say? If it seems promising I'll go check it out. There's also another one around here for parts, I'm told.