96CivicEXSedan

So, I'm just starting out trying to take care of my car. And thanks to everyone so far. I got a lot of help with my power steering thread from a few days ago. Works well. I've also been reading the manual. I hope to progress from novice one day!

Anyways, it appears that my antifreeze/coolant is very low. So that leads me to a few questions:

1. Does this indicate a possible leak or normal wear and tear?
2. Is using the Genuine Honda Type 2 50/50 antifreeze the only one I should replace the lost fluid with?

Thanks again.

D Griff

If it were me, I would fill it up and check it everyday, see if the level is lowering. Check under the car/around the engine bay so if it is leaking you can figure out where it's leaking from. Hopefully if it is leaking it's just a hose, a cheap, easy fix.

I personally just use Prestone antifreeze or something similar, I'm cheap. I also flush my radiator with tap water and mix the antifreeze with tap (50/50 ratio) if it isn't the premixed stuff. Some guys on here will tell you only to use Honda but I've run Prestone/tap in all of my cars with out any issues ever.

I hope this helps you out.

96CivicEXSedan

Thanks. Is it reasonable to think I can find the leak myself? It's filthy in there, and I've been to mechanics who said I had a leak but they couldn't tell where it was.

Do keep in mind that I'm a real novice...

87 SiviK Si

You wanna find a leak with a dirty engine bay. Buy a bottle or 2 of simple green, or 2 cans of engine degreaser, take car to a coin op car wash. let engine cool down, spray bomb it, blast it with water. clean Engine bay... time to find leak.

300whpej

the honda antifreeze isnt anything special, besides the fact that its blue. i run prestone or the autozone 50/50 with no problems and i run full strength in the winter. my reservoir has a leak and wont hold any fluid, luckily i check my fluids daily and my radiator is holding just fine.

96CivicEXSedan

Is the leak because you used the wrong coolant? Just a thought...

Linked

on a side note ... blue antifreeze sounds awesome (witha clear overflow bottle or something )

D Griff

Now that it's been mentioned, my reservoir tank always seems to be empty. However when I remove my radiator cap, it's full to the brim and the car runs at a perfect operating temperature. This has happened with other cars I've been around as well. If that's the case, it probably isn't worth worrying about.

Cleaning your bay really well is a good way to find your leak!

D Griff

Also, I wouldn't recommend running full strength antifreeze (no offense 300whej) unless you're somewhere that gets really, really cold. Water is a much more effective coolant than antifreeze, the antifreeze is there for just what its name implies, so it doesn't freeze, expand, and damage your engine. However, I believe 50/50 is good down to around -30 degrees fahrenheit.

Linked

your overflow tank or the tube leading to the neck of the radiator could be leaking or clogged

300whpej

no, there is a slit in the bottom of my reservoir, im just too lazy to get another one and change it out.