Mystery radiator coolant leak!!! new hoses, new radiator...still leaks from the front of the car.
#1
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Location: Danville, CA, USA
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Mystery radiator coolant leak!!! new hoses, new radiator...still leaks from the front of the car.
96 EX coupe...190kish ( i dunno exactly my speedo gave the ghost awhiles back)
2.2l
Here are the parts that have been throw at this car....
New Radiator. New upper & lower rad. hoses, new transmission radiator cooling lines, all new clamps, new thermostat & gasket.
Did a full flush and fill.
Success!! my car hasnt overheated in 2 days since i've installed all the new parts....
I had my car checked out and the mechanic said that the middle portion of my old radiator was clogged up and not circulating. New radiator, thermostat, hoses...back to normal.
BUT WAIT!!!!
Im seeing small puddles of coolant coming from the front of my car today after a bit of vigorous hwy driving.
Looks to be from the passenger side, nearest the coolant reservoir bottle.
The radiator is new, hoses are new....where is the leak coming from?
The reservoir bottle? doesn't leak all the time though...just when it gets warm i'm assuming.
2.2l
Here are the parts that have been throw at this car....
New Radiator. New upper & lower rad. hoses, new transmission radiator cooling lines, all new clamps, new thermostat & gasket.
Did a full flush and fill.
Success!! my car hasnt overheated in 2 days since i've installed all the new parts....
I had my car checked out and the mechanic said that the middle portion of my old radiator was clogged up and not circulating. New radiator, thermostat, hoses...back to normal.
BUT WAIT!!!!
Im seeing small puddles of coolant coming from the front of my car today after a bit of vigorous hwy driving.
Looks to be from the passenger side, nearest the coolant reservoir bottle.
The radiator is new, hoses are new....where is the leak coming from?
The reservoir bottle? doesn't leak all the time though...just when it gets warm i'm assuming.
#2
Honda-Tech Member
Re: Mystery radiator coolant leak!!! new hoses, new radiator...still leaks from the front of the car
Are the hose clamps new, and what type are they?
Sometimes when you reuse hose clamps, they can either cut the hose they're clamping, or don't clamp with enough force.
Did you replace the radiator cap, or did you reuse the original?
They can leak just because they want to.
If you find this leak under the drivers' side under the engine, your water pump may be leaking.
I'd refill the system and put a radiator pressure tester on it and watch for about an hour.
P
Sometimes when you reuse hose clamps, they can either cut the hose they're clamping, or don't clamp with enough force.
Did you replace the radiator cap, or did you reuse the original?
They can leak just because they want to.
If you find this leak under the drivers' side under the engine, your water pump may be leaking.
I'd refill the system and put a radiator pressure tester on it and watch for about an hour.
P
#3
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Re: Mystery radiator coolant leak!!! new hoses, new radiator...still leaks from the front of the car
So i found out what the cause was.
It seems the previous owner had used a heavy amount of "Radiator Stop Leak"
I removed the overflow coolant reservior and noticed that the hoses and the fluid in there was slimey and think.
I also noticed that the hoses were clogged up with stop leak.
When the Accord reached temp, pressure created, fluid tried to flow back and forth from the reservior but was blocked up. It then leaked out the two pin holes on the top of the reservior.
I cleaned the coolant reservior out, cleaned the hoses. Made sure to properly fill the it back up to normal level....seems fine now.!!
It seems the previous owner had used a heavy amount of "Radiator Stop Leak"
I removed the overflow coolant reservior and noticed that the hoses and the fluid in there was slimey and think.
I also noticed that the hoses were clogged up with stop leak.
When the Accord reached temp, pressure created, fluid tried to flow back and forth from the reservior but was blocked up. It then leaked out the two pin holes on the top of the reservior.
I cleaned the coolant reservior out, cleaned the hoses. Made sure to properly fill the it back up to normal level....seems fine now.!!
#4
Member
Re: Mystery radiator coolant leak!!! new hoses, new radiator...still leaks from the front of the car
Thanks for taking the time to post the fix.
We are most often left wondering when trying to help people.
We are most often left wondering when trying to help people.
#5
Honda-Tech Member
Re: Mystery radiator coolant leak!!! new hoses, new radiator...still leaks from the front of the car
Reminds me why I don't use or recommend it.
I've had better luck with a raw egg!
P
I've had better luck with a raw egg!
P
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