Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum If you've got a problem you just can't figure out, a noise you can't diagnose, or a Check Engine Light that won't go away, ask about it here!

Coolant level dropping

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-23-2002
  #1  
Registered!!
Thread Starter
 
Roosbok's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: New England
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 0
Roosbok is an unknown quantity at this point
Coolant level dropping


About 6 weeks ago I noticed that the coolant level was down to the MIN line, so I brought it to the dealer for an oil change and mentioned the coolant and they filled it to the MAX line, actually looking down at it, it was a hair over the MAX line. I just checked it yesterday and it was down about an inch from the line. I've put about 1,000 miles on since that last service. Does this sound like a slow leak? Or have others experienced anything similar?

[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/IMG]
Old 07-23-2002
  #2  
Registered!!
 
Ronin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Diego, California, US
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 0
Ronin is an unknown quantity at this point
Doesn't sound very serious yet, but get it checked out for possible leaks now, before it does get serious.
Old 07-23-2002
  #3  
Registered!!
 
lemoncivic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: USA, Other, ZEBRA
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 0
lemoncivic is an unknown quantity at this point
Do you use your AC often?
Old 07-23-2002
  #4  
Registered!!
iTrader: (6)
 
InanimateCarbonRod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Tinley Park, Illinois, US
Age: 50
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 294
InanimateCarbonRod will become famous soon enoughInanimateCarbonRod will become famous soon enough
yea, dosn't sound serious yet. Check the coolant hoses and see if any are leaking. It might be hard to detect a leak given your slow rate of loss.

Other possibilities are leaky gaskets, such as the head gasket. One of the worst case scenarios would be a blown head gasket that lets coolant flow into the combustion chambers. An expensive fix if it's not covered by the warrentee, that's what killed my last car ('93 Sunbird).
Old 07-23-2002
  #5  
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
 
solar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: St. Pete Beach, FL, Florida, US
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 0
solar is an unknown quantity at this point
Its probably not serious, it may be the tube at the bottom of the resivoir is leaking a bit. When I bought my car it was already below the min line. When I took it in for the first of two free oil changes at the dealer they completly ignored it, so when I brought it in for the second one, I pointed it out to the mechanic, he filled the resivoir to the top with water. I asked him that according to the owners manual your suppose to use a 50/50 mixture, he said it didn't matter. Now I won't go back to the dealer.

Anyhow sorry to go on like that, your A/C makes no difference if its on or off. Try to park it in the same area everyday and look for spots, or put a big piece of white poster board under it when you park at work or school and check for leak spots when you come back. If you don't se any after a few days then I wouldn't sweat it.
Old 07-24-2002
  #6  
Registered!!
 
AirForce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Centerville,OH
Age: 43
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 0
AirForce is an unknown quantity at this point
Uhh you probably don't have a leak because you would of smell it. I think your problems isn't a problem. Lets see fi I can explain. Well lets say your car sits out side and it is cooled off well your level is going to read high because your system has no pressure build up. What I am saying is when they tell you not to open the cap when the car is running and it hot, is because it will go everywhere, which means that all the fluid is moving around and it under a cetain pressure. It is hard to explain. Sorry. that is what I think
Old 03-09-2003
  #7  
Registered!!
iTrader: (7)
 
cdmx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Charlotte, NC
Age: 40
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 350
cdmx will become famous soon enoughcdmx will become famous soon enough
Wait for the engine to cool, then turn the radiator cap couterclockwise, Dont take it off! but just turn it...This will release any pressure and the coolant should go back to its normal position
Not a problem dude
Old 03-09-2003
  #8  
Registered!!
 
BIGLIMPDOG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: ARLINGTON, Texas, US
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 0
BIGLIMPDOG is an unknown quantity at this point
be carefull that what mine was doing first!! Now I have a blown head gasket! What you need to check if the overflow tank, if its filling up to the top on you under high rpms but then empty under cool temps then you have serious probs! Has your car overheated? Or even got warmer than normal? The line that you our looking under is where it should be under hot temps while the car is running, if it just lowers when the car is off that is what it is supossed to do! check those and let me know because it sounds sim to some of my earlier probs!
Old 03-11-2003
  #9  
Extreme Member
 
ZSKCivic01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Houston, Texas, US
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 0
ZSKCivic01 is an unknown quantity at this point
This is the thing about colant levels. I've noticed that on my civic when I get done driving it and I check all the fluids, the colant level is alot lower, but when you let your civic sit for a while and let the engine cool, the level rises up to what it was originally filled to. I think you have to let the rest of the colant drain, which occurs when your done driving your car for a while. If the level doesn't go up even after the engine has cooled, you may have a leak somewhere in your coolant lines.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
andyandyy
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
3
08-04-2015 06:37 PM
frisbeeguy2
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
5
07-30-2015 03:00 PM
liagreenhalgh92
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
6
07-21-2015 01:31 PM
Kyles24
7th Generation Civic 2001 - 2005
1
07-16-2015 10:14 PM
Kyles24
Overheating or loss of coolant, heater blowing cold
0
07-12-2015 09:15 PM



Quick Reply: Coolant level dropping



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:43 AM.