99 accord lx ulev

1999 Accord lx ulev 4 cyl:
I drained and refilled my coolant this weekend. While refilling, I noticed a very slight coolant leak from the water outlet cover (this is the piece that the top radiator hose is attached to) on the engine block. I loosened the 2 bolts, purchased a new gasket, and reattached the cover. Now here are my problems:
Attached to the bottem bolt of the water outlet cover is the wire harness clip (I think that's what it's called, I think it's there to keep the wires from moving around the engine) and for the life of me I could not get the clip flush enough to seal the cover from leaking. So, in the end I just took off the clip and tightened the bolts and the leak stopped. How necessary is this clip? Should I rush out to the dealer's repair shop and have it installed?
Also how much should I have tightened these bolts? I don't own a torque wrench so I tightened with a closed end wrench. Is there a danger of over tightening?

Ross 2.0

First of all Honda over clips every vehicle they make, so as long as the wires arent rubbing anything it's going to be ok. As long as the bolts are tight your golden. Just don't go Makilla Gorilla on it.

BLKFLSH

Doesn't the clip go on the top of the cover, instead of where the gasket is. Just an idea.

99 accord lx ulev

Thanks for the responses. I feel a lot better now. BTW, the original clip was located between the cover and the engine, I can not figure out how to get it flush to keep the coolant from leaking. I'll just leave it off. Thanks again, Marc

JimBlake

Are you talking about #13?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 99 accord lx ulev &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">BTW, the original clip was located between the cover and the engine...</TD></TR></TABLE>I don't believe it was supposed to be like that.

99 accord lx ulev

yes, #13 is the clip I am referring to. Your diagram shows it between the bolt and the cover and NOT between the cover and the engine. I'm almost certain mine was between the cover and the engine and in fact the cover had a small indentation where it rubbed against the clip. I tried to put mine between the bolt and the cover but the way it was attached to to wire harness it wouldn't reach, even if I bent it. Thanks so much for the scanning your diagram for me I truely appreciate it. Marc.

Icemanxxxv

Aint no way it went between the cover and the block.

99 accord lx ulev

I should stick to what I know best; accounting, and leave car maintenance to the mechanics. While refilling my coolant, I panicked when I saw coolant leaking from the water outlet cover and I took the 2 bolts off too quickly to notice how to put it all back together again. You guys are 100% correct, there is no way that the clip goes against the engine. Thanks to all of you kind people for taking the time to set me straight. Honda owners and mechanics rule! Marc.