Had to choose between a cheap aftermarket radiator or a pricier OEM one for a 2015 Civic last week.

Went with the aftermarket part to save the customer $200, but it started weeping at the upper hose neck after just 3 days, so what's your go-to brand for reliable cooling system parts?

3 comments

3 Comments

lisar142mo ago

Yeah, that "weeping after 3 days" thing is exactly why I changed my tune. I used to go for the cheap option too, but now I just bite the bullet and get the OEM for stuff like that.

andrew_kelly2mo ago

Man I was the same way for years, always trying to save a buck on parts like that. After getting burned a few times on cheap radiators and water pumps, I just can't do it anymore. The hassle of doing the job twice eats up any savings and then some. Now I only use OEM for the main cooling system stuff, it's just not worth the headache.

lewis.charlie1mo ago

Pretty sure I've spent more on cheap water pumps and the extra coolant to go with them than I would have if I just bought the OEM one outright the first time. My car's cooling system is like a museum of my bad financial decisions. The worst part is when the cheap part fails, you get to stand there with a wet rag and a socket wrench, staring at your own reflection in the puddle on the ground. At this point I think my car knows when I'm trying to cheap out and just immediately starts making that gurgling sound. Its like it has a sixth sense for my wallet.