221-3209 Radiator

I purchased this Denso radiator as a replacement in my 2001 Honda CR-V. The Honda rad lasted for 187K miles, with appropriate maintenance. (I also run slightly less than 50% coolant for my environment (over 50% distilled water.)) It began dripping at a metal-plastic seam at the top, and, once removed, had a noticeable bulging hairline crack ready to breach directly across from the upper hose connector, so this was just in time. The black plastic was discolored yellow at these areas, but is a real testament to the quality of the material used. While I had no real reservations about using a non-OEM part based on reviews, ($50 on up auto parts stores), this wasn't an urgent fix, and I was impressed by the Honda's quality and longevity, and so I sought out an OEM replacement. Honda parts were around $300-450! I have found Denso parts as OEM on my Honda, so explored this one as an option. While not significantly higher priced than no-name parts, I found a Denso radiator as a "slightly damaged" item on Amazon. So, I took a chance to save a few more bucks, on a OEM replacement. It arrived in perfect condition, in a slightly scuffed box. No radiator cap, but a new drain cock on bottom. The radiator top is slightly larger, as evidenced by the width of the top plastic portion. The overall finish of the plastic was beautiful, no fins were bent, and it came with some instructions. Everything fit perfectly - the two original fans, transmission cooler hoses, screws and large rad hoses, and the rad sat very securely in their rubber grommets on car body (I replaced one that was quite hardened.) NOTE: The only differences are that the radiator cap inlet and top hose inlet (hot) are slightly more leftward, so the top rad hose and cap reservoir hose are a slightly tighter fit, and may rub on things, so be aware that some insulation/protection may be required to prevent a hole from developing. This is also a good time, if you haven't done so already, to replace ALL HOSES - radiator top and bottom, and transmission cooler hoses, and maybe consider a new thermostat and radiator cap. I do not like screw-type hose clamps and reused my old pinch-type ones, uncorroded as they were. I did have one small support and screw that were totally rusted, and had to be broken free, so I replaced all metal screw hardware also. Rubber grommets/supports should be inspected also. This unit IS larger capacity than the original, as evidenced by refilling, and it cools more efficiently. My fans noticeably run less, even on hottest days, when I'm idling the car for whatever reason (beach traffic!). I'm very pleased with this purchase, and recommend it for all CR-V Gen 1 owners. If I'd know it was so easy to remove/inspect, I may have actually done that for kicks, and replaced the original part at 120-130K.

I initially bought a radiator from my local O'Reilly Auto Parts due to an urgent need and their lifetime warranty. However, the hose fittings turned out to be too small for my vehicle. I then ordered this radiator from Amazon. It arrived in four days, fit perfectly, but one of the ATF connectors was leaking. I requested a replacement, and Amazon’s fast exchange process was excellent — I received the new unit within two days. The replacement installed smoothly with no issues at all. Although I purchased this radiator in 2023, two years later works without any problem. I'm very happy with the quality and price! Highly recommended.

Update August 2018: After three years, still going strong with zero problems. This was a perfect fit in my 98 CRV LX AWD. Quality seems excellent and it is working great so far. I do most of my own work on my Hondas and this took me about 4 hours including the thermostat and transmission fluid change. Would probably take me 3 hours if I did it again. I also replaced the upper and lower radiator hoses but not the transmission fluid hoses which are just regular smaller diameter hoses that connect to the bottom of the radiator. The radiator came with no extra hardware other than the nuts for mounting the 2 fans but all the old parts worked fine despite being 18 years old and a little rusty. It does have the plastic drain plug in it too. Other parts I used (all worked fine): Beck Arnley 143-0698 Thermostat Gates 22322 Upper Radiator Hose Gates 21871 Lower Radiator Hose PT Auto Warehouse R126 - Radiator Cap, 16 PSI A few installation tips that might help if you haven't done this before: A heat gun loosens up the hoses so they slip off without damage. (I replaced mine anyway.) Take off the under-radiator plastic guard (one of them) first to get to the lower hose connections easier. Have something ready to catch the transmission fluid from the 2 smaller hoses. Be sure to disconnect all the fan wire clips (I think there were 3 of them). A second person helps to guide things when actually pulling out the radiator. There were 2 round rubber bumpers on the bottom - be sure to put them on the new radiator. Double check you've moved everything between the radiators before installing. You might need to remove the left fan before pulling the radiator. I was able to barely squeeze it in front of the A/C line above the radiator (with help). If replacing the thermostat also, take off the lower radiator hose, then take the 2 bolts off the housing the hose connected to. One is on the top right, the other on bottom left. I needed a small 1/4" drive to get to them.

Put this in my 97 Honda CRV today. Fits exactly like the OEM. No leaks. Job took 6.5 hours. Took much longer than expected because the original radiator was still in the car after 259K miles until it finally sprung a leak. The bolts and hose clamps were rusty and stripped. The electrical connectors were seized up and hard to disconnect. Without the added problems should have taken around 4 hours. I had to take the radiator out with the fans and oil cooler hoses still attached because I couldn’t get them off. Had to remove the air filter assembly to get clearance to reach the lower radiator hose. Not a fun job.

Installed it with ease a couple months ago. No leaks and our trusty old CR-V had no problems staying cool even in triple digit heat with AC blasting. I would recommend replacing both fan motors while you have it apart, they are cheap and will give you piece of mind.

Fit right in. It saved me a lot of cash and was easy to installed. Don't be afraid to do it yourself with this one.

Bought to replace the leaking radiator on my 97 CRV. If fit perfectly and is working well a week later. Radiator came well packed. It included the nuts for mounting the fans and the metal nipples for connecting the oil system. No hoses, hose clamps or radiator cap, not that i was expecting them. Overall, very good.

Couldn't ask for a better fit. It bolted right in, all the hoses fit nicely, and the fan mounts were perfect. Also, the price was right and it was shipped and delivered sooner than expected. No issues at all with it since I installed it a month ago.

Perfect fit for 2001 honda crv

Perfect fit. Does the job

It was nice that all of the rad mount nuts and fans mount nuts were already inserted on the rad. The transmission lines hooked up without a problem to the installed fittings. It does not include a drain cock. This is a premium purchase.