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Old March 25th 07, 03:21 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.honda
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Default 96 Honda LX...antifreeze disappearing act, but no leak in the bottle itself...what gives?

On Mar 23, 7:26 pm, wrote:
> On Mar 23, 4:50 pm, "Shakti" > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Help!!!

>
> > My temp gauge spikes to the red after a mile or so of driving and
> > today it started smoking under my hood, so I pull over and I notice
> > that the smoke wasn't coming from my engine...it was coming from the
> > front right hand side of my car, close to the antifreeze contanier.

>
> > So, I check the antifreeze and notice that it's empty. I filled my
> > car with the antifreeze water mix, but after about 5 minutes of
> > driving my gauge spikes up again. I jump out and check my antifreeze
> > and notice that it's almost half gone.

>
> > I took out the bottle to check for leaks and there wasn't any. Does
> > anyone have a clue where the antifreeze is going and how do I get it
> > to stay, so that my car doesn't over heat?

>
> > Thanks in advance...
> > Jonny

>
> Check radiator hoses and heater hoses for leaks, both at the ends and
> along the length.
>
> Check under the engine for coolant escaping the water pump's weep
> hole, and then splashing down the underside of the car.
>
> Check oil to see if coolant is getting in there. Would be a bad
> gasket allowing coolant to escape to where it shouldn't be.
>
> Check tailpipe while engine is running. Is white smoke coming out?
> That would be coolant, and again, you'd have a bad gasket.
>
> Check the radiator visually for coolant leaks from the core. Also
> make sure your radiator drain plug is tight. You probably also have a
> drain plug in the block, typically a 19mm socket fits over the raised
> portion. Make sure coolant isn't escaping from that drain.
>
> Check all over for signs of coolant. Get a flashlight if needed. It
> only has so many places to go.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -


I should have mentioned, you may also have an air bleed valve in your
cooling system. Make sure the valve is tight and not allowing coolant
to escape. It would be on the thermostat housing and look like a
little nipple with a place for a wrench to fit, around 9 mm or so.

Tegger, just out of curiosity, how in the world can you specifically
diagnose a blown gasket based on his description of the problem. It
doesn't seem very methodical.

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