Forced Induction Custom FI Setup Questions

Can turbo's bust plastic radiators?

Old Jan 13, 2004 | 12:44 PM
  #1  
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Default Can turbo's bust plastic radiators?

I am not sure whats going on with the car. I don't think I broke a ring land or lost compression in any cylinder because I did the ghetto take one spark plug off at a time test and the car is running fine. I was at the track and the car ran strong the entire time. I did notice I started running low on oil which is scaring me because I don't know where the oil is going.

The radiator is leaking like a leaky facette. It started leaking a little a weeks ago and I only drive the car once every two weeks.

Is it common for factory plastic radiators to burst once you force induct your honda? Is it that or do you guys thing I popped a head gasket? Again power is the same, no smoke at all, no white smoke, no blue smoke, no grey smoke, no black smoke, no smoke period.

What do you think it is?

Please help, thanks.
Old Jan 13, 2004 | 01:21 PM
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Default Re:Can turbo's bust plastic radiators?

plastic radiator?
Old Jan 13, 2004 | 01:24 PM
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Default Re:Can turbo's bust plastic radiators?

Factory 92-00 Honda Civic Radiators all have plastic end tanks.
Old Jan 13, 2004 | 01:35 PM
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Default Re:Can turbo's bust plastic radiators?

time for an upgrade
Old Jan 13, 2004 | 01:38 PM
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Default Re:Can turbo's bust plastic radiators?

So do you think its just the radiator or is the headgasket cracked? I have plenty automotive experience but this is just really puzzling me. I don't want to have to pull the motor if I don't have to.
Old Jan 13, 2004 | 01:41 PM
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Default Re:Can turbo's bust plastic radiators?

the rad is cracked for sure? I'd just replace it, those plastic rads blow.
Old Jan 13, 2004 | 02:08 PM
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Default Re:Can turbo's bust plastic radiators?

The rad went in my 92 along the bottom end when I boosted it, but my rad was in bad shape along the bottom so I never really checked when I replaced to see where the leak was. Replace it right away though if it's leaking, when mine went I was driving the ---- out of my car at the time and wasn't watching the temp gauge and only looked at it when I started to smell coolant and the gauge was straight up...had to replace blown head gasket, at least I didn't warp the head or cause any other damage. I know you said you're not smoking but pull your charge pipes and check to see if you have any excess oil in them, maybe the seals are leaking in your turbo?
Old Jan 13, 2004 | 03:06 PM
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Default Re:Can turbo's bust plastic radiators?

My friend had this problem. The coolant system became pressurized and kept getting worse. It eventually got to the point that it would blow the coolant lines off at full boost. We took it apart and the sleeve had a massive crack in it.
Old Jan 13, 2004 | 03:09 PM
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Default Re:Can turbo's bust plastic radiators?

i had asimilar problem. the system kept getting pressurized andi kept popping hoses. turned out line to the reservoir(is that speeled right?) was clogged. anyways get a metal rad, they can take alot of abuse.
Old Jan 14, 2004 | 11:54 PM
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Default Re:Can turbo's bust plastic radiators?

thanks for the replies. I pray that I didn't pop the head gasket or crack the cylinders. The radiator was used. I got it from a friend that said it was leaking on his Civic. Yeah I know that sounds like a dumb move. Well, I sent the rad to the radiator shop and they just told me it needed to be flushed.

For those that have blown head gaskets or cracked sleeves; did you loose any power and did you get any smoke afterwards?

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