Hi folks,

1992 Accord LX.

After parking at my local grocery store, I smelled coolant. On a whim I checked under the car, in case it was me... and it was!!!

Coolant was dribbling quickly out from under the passenger side skidpad, and after opening the hood I saw a puddle of coolant on the top of my transmission, under the dizzy cap. No active leaks by then, though... and no steam.

Coolant reservoir was not appreciably low.

I changed the cap and rotor this week. I moved the radiator hose by the dizzy cap when I did it, so I wonder if I messed that hose up (original to the car, too, I think!).

Any tips on how to track a leak like this? The engine is so packed together that I have trouble seeing in there.

Thanks!

Ari aka Mr. Volvo

 

you have attempt to clean what coolant is on the motor now. Turn the car on and run the heater. Now visually inspect where the coolant return hose was "moved" Make sure the collar is back on the thermostat housing. If its leaking from the hose you should be able to see it spurting out. If its a slower leak it might be coming from the thermostat housing. If so you should just get a new thermostat and gasket. cheap and easy to replace.

 

It turned out to be a heater hose, I think - small hose leading from the firewall to the head. Squeezing the hose made it drip from a crack or tear near the clamp on the engine side. I think a small distributor oil leak had compromised the hose.

Anyway, while the coolant's drained, I'm doing the large long hose that I had feared that I had damaged (return hose from block?).

Question: do I fill the reservoir, or directly into the radiator?

Thanks,

Ari