Read If Your H3 Radiator Has Cracked or Leaked
If it were me I would inspect the system good and look for signs of cracks or leaks. Drive it and see if you smell antifreeze. In the beginning of mine there was no visible crack and I would only sometimes smell antifreeze. I never saw a spot where antifreeze leaked. Maybe mention the problem to the dealer and see if they offer any recourse in case of the leak.
Personally, I put the DexCool back into mine but used the additive as well. The DexCool does seem to have better cooling properties but can damage the internals. The additive stops that. I don't know the effects of just regular coolant. Someone else may have experience with it.
Personally, I put the DexCool back into mine but used the additive as well. The DexCool does seem to have better cooling properties but can damage the internals. The additive stops that. I don't know the effects of just regular coolant. Someone else may have experience with it.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 162
From: Rochester Hills, Michigan
I had a leak on my h3 also and just replaced it today. Too a few hours but the instructions a few pages back were great. If you replace yours, take a pair of pliers and bend the metal on the core support up and back away from the radiator. Then take a file(Walmart for $3) and sand the rough edges smooth. You can then spray paint the metal black again and it looks good as new. Plus you won't have to worry about your radiator cracking from metal contact anymore.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,042
Post 70 has a nice picture of the crack in the top,front edge of the plastic top tank. It can crack anywhere in the plastic tank, but the front edge in the center by the support or to either side of the radiator support is most common. Post 113, 2nd pic shows a picture of the radiator from the front and the stains of where rad fluid dripped down onto the core from a crack in the plastic tank.
Last edited by rsc; Jan 2, 2012 at 08:43 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 162
From: Rochester Hills, Michigan
Thanks RSC....did not see this photo
OldRadiator.jpg picture by Obranquelinho - Photobucket
Where would the wear be from the support that has been mentioned...anywhere along the plastic??
OldRadiator.jpg picture by Obranquelinho - Photobucket
Where would the wear be from the support that has been mentioned...anywhere along the plastic??
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,042
Thanks RSC....did not see this photo
OldRadiator.jpg picture by Obranquelinho - Photobucket
Where would the wear be from the support that has been mentioned...anywhere along the plastic??
OldRadiator.jpg picture by Obranquelinho - Photobucket
Where would the wear be from the support that has been mentioned...anywhere along the plastic??
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,042
My bad, I didn't look close enough. Yes, on the reverse of the side shown- the front side. If you have the crack it should fairly easy to spot anywhere in the top tank.
