my mom's 96 accord has an overheating problem . it all started when she went to pick up my little sister from school . my mom decided to let my sister drive home ( she has a learner's permit ) . on the way home, my mom tells me she hits a guard rail . my mom then kicks her out of the passenger seat and drives home . it's about a 5 minute drive back to the house, so as soon as she comes up the driveway, she then tells me that she noticed her water gauge is at max and the car is smoking . so i looked at it today and noticed there was a leak . i can't pinpoint exactly where the leak is, but all i know is it is above the water pump and water pipe and next to the headgasket . so is my problem due to a bad headgasket or is it something else ? it is not leaking any oil, only coolant, someone please help .

 

Coolant is liquid; and an old plumber once told me the liquids run downhill, something about gravity.....
You really need to pinpoint the source, even if it means refilling the coolant and warming the engine back up.
if it is coming from between the head and block you'll probably need a head gasket; if the engine was run hot hot hot for a long while you might have a cracked head.
I can't imagine how this occured from bumping a guard rail though?

 

that pretty much sums it up minus one thing...you forgot to mention seafoam!!!

 

ok, so i finally got some time to inspect the car again . i guess it was a leak after all, because water was dripping down from the transmission . the heater hose going to the side of the engine was leaking, so i guess that's all i need to replace . i tried to look for the part on hondaautomotiveparts.com but i can't seem to find it . can anyone help me look for this part so i can fix my mom's car asap ?

 

nevermind, i found it .