Replacing the Radiator in a 2003 Honda Element

[@myacount8659]

Thanks so much for this video! So helpful! Also, I'm making "Don't let the fact that you've never done it keep you from doing it" my new mantra. As a female who grew up in the South, I never thought I could do some of my own auto repairs and I'm often afraid to try. Much gratitude for both the repair instruction and the nugget of wisdom.

[@gehringer37]

Concrete Blonde....One of my fav bands!!!

[@clintsearcy3252]

Mine too.

[@frankenstein4567]

I met and worked with the Road Manager for them a couple of years ago.

[@frankenstein4567]

Thank you Clint! My radiator failed right where you identified it has for other people. With your guide, I replaced mine with retaliative ease. I appreciated not having to rip off my whole front end and your advice was just great. It's been two weeks now and no leaks. Thank you for your video guide and Happy Holidays.

[@frankenstein4567]

Oh, and mine is an '03 with 195,000 miles on it.

[@clintsearcy3252]

Fantastic! Don't forget the check the level once in a while.

[@clintsearcy3252]

Good to know!

[@SDPosse619]

Another classic Clint video! Saving element owner money one video at a time!!!

[@clintsearcy3252]

Swapping this one early will save you some cussing too.

[@thesteelgator]

Tackled this myself yesterday and today since we have unusually warm weather here in Pennsylvania. My 2005 has the splash shield. The past 19 years of use made the two bolts in the splash shield completely impossible to remove. Other than that, it was pretty much the same as your experience. Thanks a ton for this video!

[@clintsearcy3252]

Good to hear! Thank you!!

[@64arguz]

Thanks 👍💪 doing mine tomorrow, same car same problem 🙄

[@clintsearcy3252]

You got this.

[@Gringochulo1]

I’ll be swapping radiator and fans in the morning. Great video as always!!

[@clintsearcy3252]

Thanks!!

[@SunshineAndSails]

Loved the pep talk. Super helpful, can tell you maybe had some supportive people in your life. That said, if you removed the latch you wouldn't have had to take out the support and move it back.

[@clintsearcy3252]

I thought of removing the latch but it looked like moving the core support was going to be quicker for me.

[@ChakraKahn]

@@clintsearcy3252 I spoke too soon, yes removing the core support was key. Thanks for this video, put in a Duralast and it is working perfect.

[@clintsearcy3252]

Fantastic! @@ChakraKahn

[@sadmirtatarevic4772]

Great job, wish I saw your video prior to taking mine out. I did not take the fans out in the beginning so I had a hard time with everything on the bottom. Thank you.

[@clintsearcy3252]

Hopefully there wont be a next time.

[@SuperNick090]

Great job ! Did you burp the air out with the radiator cap on or off ?

[@clintsearcy3252]

What I do it over fill the reservoir bottle a little and check it for a few days after words.

[@perucho28]

Those words around 5:00 are powerful. Preach on brother.

[@clintsearcy3252]

I hope it helps!!

[@randymiller9714]

Thanks for the video. I saw vapor coming from the grill today and it looks like I have the same problem. Ordered a Denso from Rock Auto ($104 shipped). Thanks for the info!

[@clintsearcy3252]

Glad I could help

[@waxingchandler3895]

My 2009 Element is at 284K miles. Noticed some wispy smoke (burning off coolant) when at a stop. Discovered the radiator was leaking around that band on top. Took a couple of hours to replace it and the hoses. Not too difficult of a job. I did it exactly how you did it!

[@clintsearcy3252]

Great News!! The weather is warming up in most places in the USA this week. Time to check your cooling system.

[@doubledeuce4608]

Mine has 204k and started getting tiny cracks near the fill spot on top. You're exactly right. Change em 200k if they're the original radiator. Great video!🤙

[@clintsearcy3252]

Great tip!

[@johnathoncastro]

Is Denso oem for these Elements? Thanks Just found your channel. I have an 05 Element with 215k miles and have replaced everything but engine and transmission lol...I seem to be going through engine mounts and ball joints like crazy.

[@clintsearcy3252]

Yes they are

[@charlesparker752]

Clint, looks like you’ve had this radiator in for a year or so, any issues with it yet? I’ve never ordered through Rockauto before (not sure if it’s a East coast vs West coast thing 🤔), but going on their site, I noticed they have a Denso radiator offer, what’s your thoughts (my 2004 has an automatic transmission, I know yours is a manual transmission)? Thanks and please keep the Element videos coming! 😁

[@clintsearcy3252]

It's working perfectly. The Denso is the one I would buy at Rock Auto. It's no more expensive than the others if I remember right. The radiator should be the same for Auto or Manual. You just don't use the trans cooler lines on the manual.

[@mzampell]

I had a 76 Nova when I was 18! Probably replaced the radiator in that old thing.

[@clintsearcy3252]

A few years later I bought a 76 also.

[@paulbrier5024]

Cut the music. 13:19 13:21

[@clintsearcy3252]

Never.

[@canuckfixit7722]

8:50 I put all my 12-pt sockets in the back of the tool box and *only* use the 6-pt. Why? Because in the north a 12-pt socket plus a rusty bolt head equals a security bolt! LOL

[@clintsearcy3252]

I think that's a wise path. a 12 should really only be used when necessary but... I'm an idiot.

[@canuckfixit7722]

@@clintsearcy3252 As you probably already know, they are required for internal Honda engine and clutch bolts which have deep12-pt heads. 12 points of contact on bolt heads really transfers torque.

[@al3xchavarria273]

Nice video! I recently replaced the radiator on my 2006 crv I was having the same issue.

[@clintsearcy3252]

My 1987 Toyota pickup was the first car I ever had with the plastic, crimped on tanks. It blew in the parking lot to my apartment. The apartment managers were not happy with they found me swapping the radiator there.

[@DragnDon]

Excellent video on this! It's been a year, so how has the radiator held up?

[@clintsearcy3252]

It's good. I'm hoping to get another 300K out of it.

[@user-iz4lo5qr9x]

03 EX mine since new ... I did mine years ago ... If/When I have to replace it again I will look for an all Aluminum one they were under $200 back when I replaced mine ... Just like to not have the plastic tank and oring seal ...

[@clintsearcy3252]

Understandable. I figure if the original lasted 300,000 miles and 20 years then I can risk another one.

[@user-iz4lo5qr9x]

@@clintsearcy3252I figure I can spend the extra $100 for the peace of mind ..But your right another stock one will most likely outlast the car ...

[@brianthompson9241]

Does the clearance remain the same from 2003 to 2011?

[@clintsearcy3252]

I'm not 100% sure but I can't this of any reason it wouldn't be exactly the same. I think the CRV is also nearly the same.

[@molokoplus3]

Concrete blonde too!

[@clintsearcy3252]

Oh yea!

[@CJ-fh5xq]

I would replace all the plastic cooling parts along with it. Our Sienna had 3 different parts that burst on the road around 205k-210k miles. Had to get towed twice which sucks.

[@clintsearcy3252]

Not a bad idea. Those tow bills are no fun.

[@crs290]

Gabba gabba hey!

[@clintsearcy3252]

1 2 3 4 !

[@dmccartyfan25]

Concrete Blonde❤

[@clintsearcy3252]

I got the ways and means to New Orleans.

[@GHE2005]

I hv 05 Honda E & it has 110733 mil. I agree, seems like it's an easy job to do. I'm in TN now, any chance u can help another element lover to do a catalytic converter replacement? I hv the part. I'm traveling & don't hv the place nor jack to do the job. Perhaps we can meet in a public place & I could use ur jacks? Appreciate ur videos, I learn a lot from them. 👍🏽

[@clintsearcy3252]

Did you get it sorted out? I have been taking care of a sick wife for a few months now so I'm a little short on time.

[@GHE2005]

@@clintsearcy3252 Hi, sorry to hear ur wife has not been well. Unfortunately, I am no longer in TN. Had to move on. I'm in AZ now. And I still have not swapped out my cat & changed my oil yet. Hopefully, I can find some help in AZ. Thx u for asking. 🤗🙏🏽

[@molokoplus3]

Bauhaus fuck yeah

[@clintsearcy3252]

I'm a bit of a music fan.