ok so i have gotten the chance to get underneath the car and look at the issue but im freaking out a bit so i wanted to get some ideas on what could be going on.

I just picked up a 1986 4 door accord. noticed it was leaking some coolant. then noticed it's leaking alot of coolant. basically everytime i need to drive somewhere i have to dump a gallon of water into the radiator. at first i was hoping it was just the rad but i noticed that as soon as i dump water into it the leaking starts and from what i can see from just looking underneath from the side it's dripping from about the middle of the engine. what could be going on?

 

We can't look at your car for you over the internet. You're going to have to do better than that for yourself.

It's most likely a hose. Open the hood and look for the source of the leak with the car running. It should be painfully obvious if you say it's leaking as much as it is. If need be, put the car up on jackstands and run it while you look underneath.

 

I know this, im simply asking for different things i should look for. there is no need to run the car to find it, it drips when it's off or when it's on.

 

hows the thermostat and its housing look? trace all your coolant hoses for leaks or cracks.