Hey guys, I have a 91 accord which doesnt appear to have leaks but after a week, the radiator needs to be topped off again and the overflow tank is always empty. Any ideas what could be wrong? Maybe the headgasket? No overheating issues and the car drives normally.

TIA.

*edit

I found a leak from the passenger side...near where the front/pass. wheel is. I'll try to find out where it's coming from and we'll go from there.


Modified by AccordSS at 7:48 PM 1/1/2006

 

Sometimes the radiator will spring a leak facing forward; between the radiator and the a/c condenser (where you can't see it).
If, when you check the coolant level, you find the level at the same point; it's letting you know at what level the leak is located.
If you're suffering from wet carpets in front of the passanger's feet, and a lot of moisture on the windows, you may have a leaking heater core.
A leaking water pump can be difficult to diagnose, since it hides under the timing belt cover (where you can't see it). In addition, it normally leaks while the engine's cold (No system pressure) and would leave a puddle under the left end of the engine.

One way to force the issue is to have a cooling system pressure test performed (fill the system and apply 18# pressure to it. Any leak will become readily apparent.

P

 

Thanks for replying P. Hopefully you'll respond again when I find out where it's leaking from. Could be the overflow bottle is cracked perhaps.

 

Coollant has a very unique smell to it..try to open the hood when the engine is hot and sniff around; also as P_A stated those radiators can get little stress cracks in them and seep out coolant look for discoloration along the radiator top tank where the fans mount

 

Hopefully, you'll be so lucky. The overflow bottle is very rarely an issue with Honda's. Only when the customer (living in Buffalo) fills it with straight water on a cold winter night do they do the San Andreas Fault Thing and crack. Those Japanese really know how to Blow-Mold plastic bottles.

P

 

chk the radiator drain plug .as well as doing a pressure test