So my coolant was low about 2-3 days ago and I filled it up to about an inch pass the line where it needed to be. This evening while I was driving to the gas station the temp increase significantly. Steamed started to flow out of the hood. I parked the car and checked, I saw coolant was spraying out from the end of the hose. Check my coolant level and it's already ran out. Why does the coolant ran out so fast in just 2-3 days?

What caused this?

Would refilling more coolant resolve this issue, or is this something that seriously need to look deep into?

And if I do fill up more coolant do I let the car run while I fill it up? the last time I filled it I didn't ran the car at all. Don't know if I'm suppose to do that.

 

Sounds like you had air in the system. Did it overheat the first time?

 

after its been running low on coolant and you're going to top it off.. do that and run it for a lil while so that the radiator has a chance to fill up, then fill it up again... any signs of it leaking or smell of coolant through the exhaust??

 

It never overheat like this. But first of all, I do not have a relay, so I know my temp will increase in slow traffic. Temp has been an issue for me in slow traffic yes. But I don't usually go out around 5PM as this is the time where there is large traffic. So overheating never happen to me. This is the first time. But as far as high temp yes I've had it a few times.

I'm not sure about the air in my system. Can you explain this?

 

dont over fill the expansion tank like that fill it at the line. the coolant needs a place to expand and thats where it does it. it could build enough pressure to make your hose pop off

 

I didn't know the coolant ran out so fast. I just filled it up like 3 days ago.

So I run the car and fill it in at the sane time? Alright.

Not sure about smelling or leaking through the exhaust. I'll have to check that.

 

Ah ok. Maybe that was the problem. I did filled it like an inch or two pass the line. It was quite a bit.

 

There's two ways to bleed your coolant system. One is if your car is equipped with a bleeder. The second way (the way I do it) is to take your radiator cap off when the car is the cold, fill it all the way to fill neck. Start your car and place your AC control to HEAT and let it circulate. You'll have to pour a little bit more as it goes into the system and let it run for about 10-15 minutes to let all the air in the system bleed out through the radiator cap. You will see plenty of bubbles come up through the fill neck. When the bubbles stop, put your radiator cap back on. I never have a problem doing it this way.

 

For this method it is best to do this on an incline and make sure the fan kicks on a least twice for optimal results.

 

Forget to mention this, thanks Grumblemarc.

 

Thanks guys I'll do that tomorrow it's late night here.

 

So I'm going to add coolant now. My reservoir is all gone. Should I fill in the radiator cap first and then let the car run, turn heat on? Or could I fill in the reservoir first?

If I fill in the radiator cap, let the car run, turn heat on, and keep filling until it get to the neck. Then fill in the reservoir?

Which way is proper?

sorry I have never fill coolant before. I don't drive my car much ever since I bought it. I just have insurance not too long ago.

 

Radiator first, reservoir last.

 

So I leave the car on while filling the radiator and about 2 minutes after I see smoke coming out of the header it's too hot. What is this? The temp hasn't increase a bit yet.

 

Smoke shouldn't be coming out of the header.

 

There are steam evaporating the header. I added quite a bit of coolant 50/50 in radiator it hasn't even fill the neck at all. I have a gallon here and I have used half of it already. Maybe it need more. Seems odd I think.

 

You have a leak. Where is it?

 

I don't see it drip to the ground or anything but this is what what I see so far. coolant seem to hung on those bolts. I think aybe they were a result of coolant leak and steam coming out from hood from overheating last night though I could be wrong.

 

The steam is probably coming off the coolant as it leaks onto hot parts. But I don't think those bolts are the source of it.

 

Ok. I'll look into this further. Will let you know the update.

 

Btw does anybody know what hose is this? I may have to replace it due to the cut after coolant leak.

 

So I decided to fill up the rest of the gallon in the radiator and it still hasn't fill up to neck. Turned car on, heat all the way. Finished the gallon. Step gas vrooom!!! a couple of times. Took it a a 10 min drive. Look underneath and I see there's leak somewhere that I won't be able to see where it's coming from without the car being lift up. They seem to drip and scattered underneath the block. I'm going to get a mechanic to check for pressure test, hose leaks, water pump, thermostat, head gasket test etc. No leaks or water in exhaust so I guess that's a good thing? Here's what I'm seeing. Anyone have any idea what I may be?

 

That hose that has the crack in it is a coolant hose and needs to be fixed. Most likely it is leaking under pressure when the car warms up.

 

Does anybody know how many hoses are there in a b18b1? Might as well get all and replace them. I know my radiator hoses I would need the upper and lower. What about them hoses that connects to the engine side valve? Like the one I have it mark red here, and where can I purchase them. Found these but don't know if they are the right ones.

http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/...s=&view=normal

 

From honda or autozone. Yu can eat the hoses from there.
And hoses like to leak under pressure and when really hot.
Had asthe lil hose for the iacv leak on me, took me 3months to find it. I was just adding about 1/3 cup water ever week till one day I park and heard it spraying out.