- This topic has 11 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 4 months ago by
.
-
Topic
-
I just noticed today when I was checking my fluids that my coolant overflow was completely full to the top. It also appears to have sprayed out onto the radiator hose (little blue dried specks on the hose). The radiator itself was just a bit low, obviously because the coolant is being pushed into the overflow container. Thus far the car has no overheating, it warms up fine and temp has never gotten past the middle point of the temp gauge. I have been looking around at various sites for some ideas at what I might be looking at here. It seems that everyone goes strait for this being a head gasket problem. I have not seen any oil in the coolant, but there is some dried dark crusty stuff near the top of the overflow (on the sides of the bottle not in the fluid). Also, the exhaust does not have any white smoke etc. Anyways, I was just looking for some feedback as to what I might do to figure out what is going on here, or if anyone has seen this before and might have some advice.
Thanks alot.
P.S. Once again this is a 03 Civic EX (VTEC)
-
Replies
-
Went a picked up a new cap a few minutes ago. When I got back I left it running and popped the hood because I was curious to see if it was spraying (old cap still on). No signs of coolant spray or leakage at all. Now the the overflow is back down to the max line (while running). I also verified that the rad fan was functioning. I couldn’t open the rad yet obviously because it is too hot atm, but I just thought that was a bit wierd. Could the old cap (which is still on) have just been put on improperly before I messed with it today? I’ll just put the new cap on anyway when it cools down I guess and see what happens.
what was the mileage? it is possible for the coolant to evaporate, you might not be able to see it sometimes. Did you over heat the engine before this?
– Chris
This car has never overheated since I have owned it. I have never seen the temp go past just under 1/2 way on the gauge (it sits about that spot nearly 100% of the time when warmed up, sometimes slightly lower). I have only owned the car for about a month though. Current mileage is 129k.I’ll just keep an eye on this thing for a few days at least and see if my overflow fills up again.
If you are not over heating, you don’t have a coolant and oil mixture than I don’t think you have a blown head gasket. This is a safe bet. Lets address the coolant loss with the cheapest and easiest thing first. And that would be a replacement of your radiator cap.
Ok, so a week and half have passed. The coolant hasn’t overflowed again. BUT, today my check engine light came on. So I had my neighbor (a seasoned mechanic) hook his OBD 2 scanner up and apparently I now have Codes for Missfires on cylinders 3+4 as well as codes for an o2 sensor and Catalytic convertor under threshold (all these codes came today, no CEL prior). could these things all be related to my coolant issue? The neighbor said the missfire probably ruined the cat… I personally am starting to feel like this is a head gasket issue. Going to have my neighbor check for Vacuum leaks and check the cylinders for compression leaks monday etc. Anyone have any thoughts at what I else I might have him look for?
thanks
Yeah, have him do a compression test. If 3 and 4 are both low, then it’s highly likely you have a blown head gasket which will also cause the O2 and Cat to go bad.
[quote=”wysetech” post=64399]Replace the rad cap adjust the coolant levels and let us know if your problem is still there.[/quote]
Yeah that ^^^
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.