This is a friend's 2005 4cyl Accord with about 200K miles that she likes to drive hard,
I tell her with that many miles she shouldn't.
It has been running fine through the winter and was maybe down a cup of coolant back
in April. The temp gauge is usually around 11 o'clock but she just noticed it creeping up
to 1 o'clock in the recent 90 degree weather. I checked it today and the recovery tank
was empty, let it cool and it took about a quart in the radiator and then a bit more to
bring up the recovery tank. The radiator and large hoses were replaced about 3 years
ago so they look fine. Looked all around with a flashlight with it running hot and didn't
see anything. No drips under the car.
Edit: After the top up the temp no longer creeps up, stays right at 11 o'clock so it seems
fine just the leak problem.
No smoke out the back - suggestions? Any common things to look for on the 4 cyl motor?

 

The engine runs great, no codes, no smoke, uses about 1 qt of oil per 2K miles, starts quick, great power.
She's kept it up well, new O2 sensors as needed, and general maintenance.

 

The heater control valve finally let go and was leaking fast.
Might as well drain and fill the system, but the capacity is not listed in the manual.
Anyone know the cooling system capacity on a 4 cyl?

 

 

Thanke for that couldn't find it in the manual.

The heater control valve is leaking at the lever arm shaft, is it possible to just replace the seal?

Got a new one so we are all set.

 

I put in fresh coolant by the drain and fill method.
filled it and we took it for a half hour around town drive, toward the end the temp went from 11 oclock
to 2 oclock but would come back down.
Not sure if this is normal in this 80 degree weather.
It is possible that it needed to be burped and will take another quart in the morning when it cools down,
but I'm worried that it is losing coolant - not sure.

Topped it up this morning and it did seem to need a few burps, added another quart or two
and it ran fine on the highway for over an hour.

 

check that both fans are running

 

It needed to be topped up one more time and has now been fine for weeks, no drop, no high temps.
Thanks everyone!