Coolant Level is low.. does that mean there is a leak ?
- Thread starter isekii
- Start date
How far below the full hot or full cold line is it? If it's way down you could have a leak somewhere, but it's pretty common to have to add coolant once in a while. Start the motor and check all the hoses if you want to be sure.
The weird thing is there is no wet spot or anything.
Coolant flush hasn't been done in awhile. last time it was done was when it had like 12k miles I believe.
now it's at 43k. so it's been a few years.
As far as the gauge reading it's right dab in the middle.
I'm gonna add like 1 gallon of 50/50 mixuture and see how much disappears in 2 weeks
and go from there i guess.
Coolant flush hasn't been done in awhile. last time it was done was when it had like 12k miles I believe.
now it's at 43k. so it's been a few years.
As far as the gauge reading it's right dab in the middle.
I'm gonna add like 1 gallon of 50/50 mixuture and see how much disappears in 2 weeks
and go from there i guess.
Fill it to the line then run it for a week. Check it again when its cool, and see how far down it is. If its went down at all, you have a leak.
Yea that's why I plan to do
it isn't too difficult replacing hoses and such right ?
Should I add it to the radiator directly or into the reservoir ?
Originally posted by: isekii
Yea that's why I plan to do
it isn't too difficult replacing hoses and such right ?
Should I add it to the radiator directly or into the reservoir ?
In the reservoir is where I add it.
Changing hoses? Thats a easy/hard thing to do. On the whole its not too hard but they can be a pain to get off. The top ones are easy, the bottom ones are a pain to get to though. The best way is to get a knife and cut a slit on the old one then twist it back and forth to work it off. The new ones slide on much easier though. But those bottom ones can be a PITA, in addition to the fact all the fluid dumps out on you as well.
Originally posted by: Shockwave
Originally posted by: isekii
Yea that's why I plan to do
it isn't too difficult replacing hoses and such right ?
Should I add it to the radiator directly or into the reservoir ?
In the reservoir is where I add it.
Changing hoses? Thats a easy/hard thing to do. On the whole its not too hard but they can be a pain to get off. The top ones are easy, the bottom ones are a pain to get to though. The best way is to get a knife and cut a slit on the old one then twist it back and forth to work it off. The new ones slide on much easier though. But those bottom ones can be a PITA, in addition to the fact all the fluid dumps out on you as well.
Maybe I should just take it to a shop to have them do it? What do they usually run for ?
Naw, hoses are pretty easy to do. The biggest problem with hoses is either 1) If you do one you should do all or 2) There a pain in the ass to get to
If one hose has failed, the rest probably arent far behind unless it was an unusual circumstance. And some of them are in a hard to get to location. If moneys not an issue then have a shop do it, but if money is an issue hoses certainly arent hard to do in the big scheme of things.
First off though I'd try to find out where its leaking if at all. My hoses are fine, but I have a small leak in my plastic overflow tank. I have to add coolant about every week or it will run low enough to overheat, sometimes twice a week on hot weeks. Tried patching the damned thing twice now and it keeps blowing through. I need to go order a tank but havent got around to it yet.
If one hose has failed, the rest probably arent far behind unless it was an unusual circumstance. And some of them are in a hard to get to location. If moneys not an issue then have a shop do it, but if money is an issue hoses certainly arent hard to do in the big scheme of things.
First off though I'd try to find out where its leaking if at all. My hoses are fine, but I have a small leak in my plastic overflow tank. I have to add coolant about every week or it will run low enough to overheat, sometimes twice a week on hot weeks. Tried patching the damned thing twice now and it keeps blowing through. I need to go order a tank but havent got around to it yet.
icic.
I checked Walgreens and Food emporium, but they dont have any in stock.
Walgreens had some bootleg one for 8 bucks and I'd rather get Prestone.
Go to a Napa (Or other auto parts store, I prefer Napa myself) and pick up a jug of anti freeze and a coolant tester. Unless its really low you'll be ok just using water for now, but if you live where it gets vcery hot or cold definately dont forget at SOME point to add coolant. But, if its just going to leak right out theres no sense "dumping coolant on the ground" just yet, so just use water.
Anyways, use water, fill it up to the full line and run it for a week or so then check it. If its good, check it again a week or two later. If its still good no worries. Usually if you have a leak of ANY kind you'll run through the coolant and start overheating within a weak or two because the cooling system is pressurized and even a small hole under pressure lets out coolant pretty easily.
If you do have a leak, you saved a bit of antifreeze from going on the ground. Then you need to find the leak. At that point determine if you want to do the repair or if you want to go to a shop.
If you dont have a leak, you can use your coolant tester to suck out some water and add anti freeze, then check it to ensure you have the proper water/anti freeze mix.
Anyways, use water, fill it up to the full line and run it for a week or so then check it. If its good, check it again a week or two later. If its still good no worries. Usually if you have a leak of ANY kind you'll run through the coolant and start overheating within a weak or two because the cooling system is pressurized and even a small hole under pressure lets out coolant pretty easily.
If you do have a leak, you saved a bit of antifreeze from going on the ground. Then you need to find the leak. At that point determine if you want to do the repair or if you want to go to a shop.
If you dont have a leak, you can use your coolant tester to suck out some water and add anti freeze, then check it to ensure you have the proper water/anti freeze mix.
wouldn't the water evaporate tho ?
Honda requires a non-silica based antifreeze, so i gotta go to autozone
Originally posted by: isekii
wouldn't the water evaporate tho ?
Honda requires a non-silica based antifreeze, so i gotta go to autozone
Evaporate where? Its a closed system.
Originally posted by: Shockwave
Originally posted by: isekii
wouldn't the water evaporate tho ?
Honda requires a non-silica based antifreeze, so i gotta go to autozone
Evaporate where? Its a closed system.
So should I add tap water or distilled ?
Wouldn't the water condensate through the metal ? <~~ not too sure if that's the right term, but when the water gets hot enough it's gonna turn to gaseous state, wouldn't that leak out ? Also the Coolant reservoir is plastic... would that play a role ?
Originally posted by: isekii
Originally posted by: Shockwave
Originally posted by: isekii
wouldn't the water evaporate tho ?
Honda requires a non-silica based antifreeze, so i gotta go to autozone
Evaporate where? Its a closed system.
So should I add tap water or distilled ?
Wouldn't the water condensate through the metal ? <~~ not too sure if that's the right term, but when the water gets hot enough it's gonna turn to gaseous state, wouldn't that leak out ?
Dude, your putting WAY too much thought in this....
Now, if you want you can add anti freeze instead. It wont hurt anything. I'm just a stingy bastard and if I have to choose between leaking free water on the ground and anti freeze I paid for....Well, I'll put the water on the ground......
Originally posted by: Shockwave
Originally posted by: isekii
Originally posted by: Shockwave
Originally posted by: isekii
wouldn't the water evaporate tho ?
Honda requires a non-silica based antifreeze, so i gotta go to autozone
Evaporate where? Its a closed system.
So should I add tap water or distilled ?
Wouldn't the water condensate through the metal ? <~~ not too sure if that's the right term, but when the water gets hot enough it's gonna turn to gaseous state, wouldn't that leak out ?
Dude, your putting WAY too much thought in this....
Now, if you want you can add anti freeze instead. It wont hurt anything. I'm just a stingy bastard and if I have to choose between leaking free water on the ground and anti freeze I paid for....Well, I'll put the water on the ground......
Yea i'll add water for the time being and go for a week and see how much disappears. I'm gonna pick up a jug of antifreeze as well, as it's always good to have around.
There could be a place where the water vapors leak. But if you loose a water reservoir of water every 25000 miles, then you should not trouble your self. Just refill it as needed.
One more thing, there could be a "vapor leak" that leaks only when the pressure in water circuit is high (like very hot engine). This could be very hard to identify
Calin
One more thing, there could be a "vapor leak" that leaks only when the pressure in water circuit is high (like very hot engine). This could be very hard to identify
Calin
Bought some distilled water, and gonna fill it up about 24oz.
Kudos to both of you for some great advice.
I'm gonna stop by pepboys later today to pick up some coolant.
Kudos to both of you for some great advice.
I'm gonna stop by pepboys later today to pick up some coolant.
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