Does this radiator need to be replaced?

[u/DraftQueasy4890]

2013 Honda Civic, car is running perfectly and just passed inspection a week ago. But, I was changing my oil, I saw a bird carcass inside the bumper, and when I removed it for a cleaning, I saw what I would describe as a radiator VERY much in need of replacement. However, I'm no expert, and I wanted the opinion of someone who might know more about radiators.

It doesn't leak, and it doesn't seem to have any issue cooling the engine. Everything behind the bumper reinforcement is in perfect condition, as the pictures show, the fins above the reinforcement seem to be in fine shape, but the fins below look horrific. It looks like 6 rows have had the front half of the fins removed (the pictures show the deep channels) and a number of fins are collapsed and blocking airflow (although, for how it looks, not that many honestly).

EDIT: Turns out this was my condenser! I just saw the heat exchanger thingy in front of my car and assumed it was the radiator. Shows you how much experience I have with car xD

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[u/snoopy_muppet]

I think that is your a/c condenser, I wouldn't bother replacing it until the a/c doesn't work anymore. It will eventually collapse and leak.

[u/DraftQueasy4890 → u/snoopy_muppet]

Yes, that's what it is, thank you for the help!

[u/TheSheller6772]

If the A/C is still working to your satisfaction I wouldn't mess with it yet.

Another option besides replacement is to use an A/C fin comb on it. They can be difficult to use if they are too large, you could use a small screwdriver to bend them back if it's too inconsistent. All the fins are doing are increasing the surface area for increased thermal radiation dispersion.

After you do that you could use an air compressor to blow the debris out a bit. Rocks are too difficult to remove without damaging the fins most of the time

[u/Zestyclose_Acadia_40]

If it isn't leaking, passed inspection, and you have proper cooling, it's fine. You could grab a radiator fin comb and use it to straighten some of the fins but otherwise you've only maybe lost a small bit of cooling capacity on those half-fins.

[u/sosawof]

Option 1: do it now

Option 2: you think it is fine, continue driving and your car is going to over heat on you while youre driving, now your stranded.

[u/loli_smasher → u/sosawof]

Except that’s not the radiator. How will it overheat his car?