MrCivic

Well I've had one little problem after my b16a swap. My car has been using/leaking coolant, not sure exactly what's going on. Every once in a while I'll see a little puddle on the ground about 5 inches in diameter, but not all the time. I've looked at all the hoses and I haven't found any leaks. I haven't seen any white smoke out of the exhaust, and the car runs with the radiator cap open without bubbling at all, so I dont' think it's the headgasket, or is that a possibility still? The car seems to be using or leaking from the max to min line on the overflow every week or two, it seems that it's been using less as time goes on. Any ideas as to what it could be? Thanks for any advice.

sohcvtec1995

are you refilling the overflow tank? also is the car running a lil hotter? check around the radiator aswell make sure that there isnt a crack.

94hatchling

also make sure you arent checking coolant levels in the resevoir tank when its cold first, then checking it a week later after driving it. it will appear to be low if the motor is hot. this is normal.

look around the end of the hoses and make sure there is a completely seal. i had a small leak for a couple weeks, and turns out i didnt have the hose clamp in a good spot to seal it completely.

if nothing else, if you have access or a shop to help you out, pressurized the system and look for leaks.

MrCivic

I always check the level when it's cold. It seems to me that the coolant level goes up in the reservoir when the motor is hot, and goes down when the motor cools? I'll probably go in and have it the system pressure checked to make sure, and if that's fine maybe have someone do a leakdown test on it?

wheelmanbg

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MrCivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I always check the level when it's cold. It seems to me that the coolant level goes up in the reservoir when the motor is hot, and goes down when the motor cools? I'll probably go in and have it the system pressure checked to make sure, and if that's fine maybe have someone do a leakdown test on it?</TD></TR></TABLE>


You're right. Level will be higher when engine is hot.

If your finding puddles once in a while it might mean (like someone else mentioned) that your reaching a higher level in your radiator and you have a crack in it on top somewhere which would cause it to leak only when gets to a certain temp.