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Accord using fluid
I have a 1985 Honda Accord. It seems to be using small amounts of
radiator fluid and I can't find out why. It did overheat a few months ago, but not all the way. No water is in the oil or anything. It uses about a cup a week. If it were a cracked head gasket, wouldn't it be getting worse by now? Wouldn't it be performing poorly? It seems to run great. Any help would be greatly appreciated... |
Re: Accord using fluid
"IBen Getiner" <Lappcatt@aol.com> wrote in message
news:396a5984.0502162034.3ba1fe40@posting.google.c om... >I have a 1985 Honda Accord. It seems to be using small amounts of > radiator fluid and I can't find out why. It did overheat a few months > ago, but not all the way. No water is in the oil or anything. It uses > about a cup a week. If it were a cracked head gasket, wouldn't it be > getting worse by now? Wouldn't it be performing poorly? It seems to > run great. Any help would be greatly appreciated... It could be a warped head and not be very obvious. But if the overheating was mild that isn't my prime suspect. My daughter's '93 Accord LX has a flat spot on the otherwise domed upper radiator tank, and it has developed a crack right down the middle from one end of the flat spot to the other. Other Honda owners have described the same thing - I believe it comes from that flat area flexing during warm-up and cool-down cycles. I cleaned it well and put a thin layer of steel filled epoxy across it, but the crack came up through the epoxy, strengthening my suspicion about flexing. I put a thicker layer on and it is holding. Mike |
Re: Accord using fluid
"IBen Getiner" <Lappcatt@aol.com> wrote in message
news:396a5984.0502162034.3ba1fe40@posting.google.c om... >I have a 1985 Honda Accord. It seems to be using small amounts of > radiator fluid and I can't find out why. It did overheat a few months > ago, but not all the way. No water is in the oil or anything. It uses > about a cup a week. If it were a cracked head gasket, wouldn't it be > getting worse by now? Wouldn't it be performing poorly? It seems to > run great. Any help would be greatly appreciated... It could be a warped head and not be very obvious. But if the overheating was mild that isn't my prime suspect. My daughter's '93 Accord LX has a flat spot on the otherwise domed upper radiator tank, and it has developed a crack right down the middle from one end of the flat spot to the other. Other Honda owners have described the same thing - I believe it comes from that flat area flexing during warm-up and cool-down cycles. I cleaned it well and put a thin layer of steel filled epoxy across it, but the crack came up through the epoxy, strengthening my suspicion about flexing. I put a thicker layer on and it is holding. Mike |
Re: Accord using fluid
I got a radiator from 1-800-radiator and it was MUCH better quality than
OEM. G-Man "IBen Getiner" <Lappcatt@aol.com> wrote in message news:396a5984.0502162034.3ba1fe40@posting.google.c om... >I have a 1985 Honda Accord. It seems to be using small amounts of > radiator fluid and I can't find out why. It did overheat a few months > ago, but not all the way. No water is in the oil or anything. It uses > about a cup a week. If it were a cracked head gasket, wouldn't it be > getting worse by now? Wouldn't it be performing poorly? It seems to > run great. Any help would be greatly appreciated... |
Re: Accord using fluid
I got a radiator from 1-800-radiator and it was MUCH better quality than
OEM. G-Man "IBen Getiner" <Lappcatt@aol.com> wrote in message news:396a5984.0502162034.3ba1fe40@posting.google.c om... >I have a 1985 Honda Accord. It seems to be using small amounts of > radiator fluid and I can't find out why. It did overheat a few months > ago, but not all the way. No water is in the oil or anything. It uses > about a cup a week. If it were a cracked head gasket, wouldn't it be > getting worse by now? Wouldn't it be performing poorly? It seems to > run great. Any help would be greatly appreciated... |
Re: Insane troll alert.
"IBen Getiner" <Lappcatt@aol.com> wrote in message news:396a5984.0502162034.3ba1fe40@posting.google.c om... Let's hope none of the contributors in <alt.autos.honda> fail to meet your standards for ethnicity and/or orientation, "IBen": "Let it be know that I'm PROUD to proclaim my HATRED for QUEERS, CHILD KILLERS and NIGGERS of ALL colours. I can't think of three more worthy enemies. You got that...? I'm PROUD to hate faggots, abortionists and negroes. They ALL are a POX upon the ass of humanity. I can't wait to see them (and their supporters like YOU) ROAST in hell!"~ Schitzophrenic bigot "IBen/Jon Young", feeling his Kristian love, in Message-ID: <20040727045300.04588.00002036@mb-m10.aol.com> LC~ Just a heads up. Feed this troll and he'll move right in with some of the most vile BS you'll ever come across. Google ain't his friend. "I'm no Grand Wizard. Although I did meet him and speak to him on several occasions back during my first days with his ... organization. See, azzhole... they all wear business suites now-days. Makes it so much easier to watch the other's backs."~ From: lappcatt@aol.com (IBen Getiner) Date: 03 Aug 2004 09:04:12 GMT Message-ID: <20040803050412.23098.00002844@mb-m07.aol.com> |
Re: Insane troll alert.
"IBen Getiner" <Lappcatt@aol.com> wrote in message news:396a5984.0502162034.3ba1fe40@posting.google.c om... Let's hope none of the contributors in <alt.autos.honda> fail to meet your standards for ethnicity and/or orientation, "IBen": "Let it be know that I'm PROUD to proclaim my HATRED for QUEERS, CHILD KILLERS and NIGGERS of ALL colours. I can't think of three more worthy enemies. You got that...? I'm PROUD to hate faggots, abortionists and negroes. They ALL are a POX upon the ass of humanity. I can't wait to see them (and their supporters like YOU) ROAST in hell!"~ Schitzophrenic bigot "IBen/Jon Young", feeling his Kristian love, in Message-ID: <20040727045300.04588.00002036@mb-m10.aol.com> LC~ Just a heads up. Feed this troll and he'll move right in with some of the most vile BS you'll ever come across. Google ain't his friend. "I'm no Grand Wizard. Although I did meet him and speak to him on several occasions back during my first days with his ... organization. See, azzhole... they all wear business suites now-days. Makes it so much easier to watch the other's backs."~ From: lappcatt@aol.com (IBen Getiner) Date: 03 Aug 2004 09:04:12 GMT Message-ID: <20040803050412.23098.00002844@mb-m07.aol.com> |
Re: Accord using fluid
In article <396a5984.0502162034.3ba1fe40@posting.google.com >,
Lappcatt@aol.com (IBen Getiner) wrote: > I have a 1985 Honda Accord. It seems to be using small amounts of > radiator fluid and I can't find out why. It did overheat a few months > ago, but not all the way. No water is in the oil or anything. It uses > about a cup a week. If it were a cracked head gasket, wouldn't it be > getting worse by now? Wouldn't it be performing poorly? It seems to > run great. Any help would be greatly appreciated... The first thing you should do is to visit a store (like Staples or Office Depot) and buy some poster board. Tape some sheets of the poster board together and place it under your car after you get home from work or a long drive. It's my guess that if you have pin leak in one of the hoses--you will find some radiator fluid on the poster board directly under the leaking hose. If you don't find any radiator fluid on the poster board after a week--you may have a cracked head gasket which is expensive to fix. Have you checked the water pump? -- NEWSGROUP SUBSCRIBERS MOTTO We respect those subscribers that ask for advice or provide advice. We do NOT respect the subscribers that enjoy criticizing people. |
Re: Accord using fluid
In article <396a5984.0502162034.3ba1fe40@posting.google.com >,
Lappcatt@aol.com (IBen Getiner) wrote: > I have a 1985 Honda Accord. It seems to be using small amounts of > radiator fluid and I can't find out why. It did overheat a few months > ago, but not all the way. No water is in the oil or anything. It uses > about a cup a week. If it were a cracked head gasket, wouldn't it be > getting worse by now? Wouldn't it be performing poorly? It seems to > run great. Any help would be greatly appreciated... The first thing you should do is to visit a store (like Staples or Office Depot) and buy some poster board. Tape some sheets of the poster board together and place it under your car after you get home from work or a long drive. It's my guess that if you have pin leak in one of the hoses--you will find some radiator fluid on the poster board directly under the leaking hose. If you don't find any radiator fluid on the poster board after a week--you may have a cracked head gasket which is expensive to fix. Have you checked the water pump? -- NEWSGROUP SUBSCRIBERS MOTTO We respect those subscribers that ask for advice or provide advice. We do NOT respect the subscribers that enjoy criticizing people. |
Re: Accord using fluid
jason@nospam.com (Jason) wrote in message news:<jason-1702051705260001@pm1-broad-86.snlo.dialup.fix.net>...
> In article <396a5984.0502162034.3ba1fe40@posting.google.com >, > Lappcatt@aol.com (IBen Getiner) wrote: > > > I have a 1985 Honda Accord. It seems to be using small amounts of > > radiator fluid and I can't find out why. It did overheat a few months > > ago, but not all the way. No water is in the oil or anything. It uses > > about a cup a week. If it were a cracked head gasket, wouldn't it be > > getting worse by now? Wouldn't it be performing poorly? It seems to > > run great. Any help would be greatly appreciated... > > The first thing you should do is to visit a store (like Staples or Office > Depot) and buy some poster board. Tape some sheets of the poster board > together and place it under your car after you get home from work or a > long drive. It's my guess that if you have pin leak in one of the > hoses--you will find some radiator fluid on the poster board directly > under the leaking hose. If you don't find any radiator fluid on the poster > board after a week--you may have a cracked head gasket which is expensive > to fix. Have you checked the water pump? Thanks for everyone's input. This has been going on for several months, so if it were a leak, I think it would have gotten worse already. If it is a cracked head gasket, wouldn't we be seeing some other signs by now? What other problems show themselves with a cracked head gasket? The car belongs to my son now, but some years ago when it was mine, the head gasket cracked and it wasn't a week before white smoke and poor performance followed (plus the green fluid on the dip stick). Fourtunatly, the head wasn't warped and it just needed the gasket (450.00 bucks). Another thing that seems a little odd... The last time I had the oil changed was about a month ago. It is now very dirty. Looks like carbon deposits. It doesn't make sense how the oil could get that dirty so soon. Any relationship to the fluid loss and possibly a cracked head gasket? Ben |
Re: Accord using fluid
jason@nospam.com (Jason) wrote in message news:<jason-1702051705260001@pm1-broad-86.snlo.dialup.fix.net>...
> In article <396a5984.0502162034.3ba1fe40@posting.google.com >, > Lappcatt@aol.com (IBen Getiner) wrote: > > > I have a 1985 Honda Accord. It seems to be using small amounts of > > radiator fluid and I can't find out why. It did overheat a few months > > ago, but not all the way. No water is in the oil or anything. It uses > > about a cup a week. If it were a cracked head gasket, wouldn't it be > > getting worse by now? Wouldn't it be performing poorly? It seems to > > run great. Any help would be greatly appreciated... > > The first thing you should do is to visit a store (like Staples or Office > Depot) and buy some poster board. Tape some sheets of the poster board > together and place it under your car after you get home from work or a > long drive. It's my guess that if you have pin leak in one of the > hoses--you will find some radiator fluid on the poster board directly > under the leaking hose. If you don't find any radiator fluid on the poster > board after a week--you may have a cracked head gasket which is expensive > to fix. Have you checked the water pump? Thanks for everyone's input. This has been going on for several months, so if it were a leak, I think it would have gotten worse already. If it is a cracked head gasket, wouldn't we be seeing some other signs by now? What other problems show themselves with a cracked head gasket? The car belongs to my son now, but some years ago when it was mine, the head gasket cracked and it wasn't a week before white smoke and poor performance followed (plus the green fluid on the dip stick). Fourtunatly, the head wasn't warped and it just needed the gasket (450.00 bucks). Another thing that seems a little odd... The last time I had the oil changed was about a month ago. It is now very dirty. Looks like carbon deposits. It doesn't make sense how the oil could get that dirty so soon. Any relationship to the fluid loss and possibly a cracked head gasket? Ben |
Re: Accord using fluid
"IBen Getiner" <Lappcatt@aol.com> wrote in message
news:396a5984.0502180204.46c92ac2@posting.google.c om... > jason@nospam.com (Jason) wrote in message > news:<jason-1702051705260001@pm1-broad-86.snlo.dialup.fix.net>... >> In article <396a5984.0502162034.3ba1fe40@posting.google.com >, >> Lappcatt@aol.com (IBen Getiner) wrote: >> >> > I have a 1985 Honda Accord. It seems to be using small amounts of >> > radiator fluid and I can't find out why. It did overheat a few months >> > ago, but not all the way. No water is in the oil or anything. It uses >> > about a cup a week. If it were a cracked head gasket, wouldn't it be >> > getting worse by now? Wouldn't it be performing poorly? It seems to >> > run great. Any help would be greatly appreciated... >> >> The first thing you should do is to visit a store (like Staples or Office >> Depot) and buy some poster board. Tape some sheets of the poster board >> together and place it under your car after you get home from work or a >> long drive. It's my guess that if you have pin leak in one of the >> hoses--you will find some radiator fluid on the poster board directly >> under the leaking hose. If you don't find any radiator fluid on the >> poster >> board after a week--you may have a cracked head gasket which is expensive >> to fix. Have you checked the water pump? > > Thanks for everyone's input. This has been going on for several > months, so if it were a leak, I think it would have gotten worse > already. If it is a cracked head gasket, wouldn't we be seeing some > other signs by now? What other problems show themselves with a cracked > head gasket? The car belongs to my son now, but some years ago when it > was mine, the head gasket cracked and it wasn't a week before white > smoke and poor performance followed (plus the green fluid on the dip > stick). Fourtunatly, the head wasn't warped and it just needed the > gasket (450.00 bucks). > Another thing that seems a little odd... The last time I had the oil > changed was about a month ago. It is now very dirty. Looks like carbon > deposits. It doesn't make sense how the oil could get that dirty so > soon. Any relationship to the fluid loss and possibly a cracked head > gasket? > > > Ben Bad head gaskets can continue without getting worse if the failure isn't leaking combustion gasses like a torch. Small leaks into the coolant or oil passages may not get any worse. But I'm still not convinced enough it is a bad head gasket to suggest pulling the head off. I also don't think the dirty oil is related. I bet it was something different about the oil change. You didn't specify synthetic or synthetic blend after using regular dino oil for ages, I assume? Nothing wrong with that, but that results in what you describe. Another oil change might be in order, but check with the place that did it for their thoughts. Another thought on tracking down the leak - some coolant dyes are fluorescent. A look-see with a black light might turn something up. I've really fought some tiny leaks like tha because they don't ever show up. They drip on a hot surface and evaporate. Finally, a real concern is that it might be the water pump shaft leaking. The weep hole is not easy to see, being under the timing belt cover, but that doesn't have any place to evaporate easily. If you see a drop of antifreeze on the bottom edge of the timing belt cover but nowhere around it, you should plan on water pump (and timing belt) replacement soon. The water pump can seize and destroy the timing belt, and your engine with that. Yuck. Mike |
Re: Accord using fluid
"IBen Getiner" <Lappcatt@aol.com> wrote in message
news:396a5984.0502180204.46c92ac2@posting.google.c om... > jason@nospam.com (Jason) wrote in message > news:<jason-1702051705260001@pm1-broad-86.snlo.dialup.fix.net>... >> In article <396a5984.0502162034.3ba1fe40@posting.google.com >, >> Lappcatt@aol.com (IBen Getiner) wrote: >> >> > I have a 1985 Honda Accord. It seems to be using small amounts of >> > radiator fluid and I can't find out why. It did overheat a few months >> > ago, but not all the way. No water is in the oil or anything. It uses >> > about a cup a week. If it were a cracked head gasket, wouldn't it be >> > getting worse by now? Wouldn't it be performing poorly? It seems to >> > run great. Any help would be greatly appreciated... >> >> The first thing you should do is to visit a store (like Staples or Office >> Depot) and buy some poster board. Tape some sheets of the poster board >> together and place it under your car after you get home from work or a >> long drive. It's my guess that if you have pin leak in one of the >> hoses--you will find some radiator fluid on the poster board directly >> under the leaking hose. If you don't find any radiator fluid on the >> poster >> board after a week--you may have a cracked head gasket which is expensive >> to fix. Have you checked the water pump? > > Thanks for everyone's input. This has been going on for several > months, so if it were a leak, I think it would have gotten worse > already. If it is a cracked head gasket, wouldn't we be seeing some > other signs by now? What other problems show themselves with a cracked > head gasket? The car belongs to my son now, but some years ago when it > was mine, the head gasket cracked and it wasn't a week before white > smoke and poor performance followed (plus the green fluid on the dip > stick). Fourtunatly, the head wasn't warped and it just needed the > gasket (450.00 bucks). > Another thing that seems a little odd... The last time I had the oil > changed was about a month ago. It is now very dirty. Looks like carbon > deposits. It doesn't make sense how the oil could get that dirty so > soon. Any relationship to the fluid loss and possibly a cracked head > gasket? > > > Ben Bad head gaskets can continue without getting worse if the failure isn't leaking combustion gasses like a torch. Small leaks into the coolant or oil passages may not get any worse. But I'm still not convinced enough it is a bad head gasket to suggest pulling the head off. I also don't think the dirty oil is related. I bet it was something different about the oil change. You didn't specify synthetic or synthetic blend after using regular dino oil for ages, I assume? Nothing wrong with that, but that results in what you describe. Another oil change might be in order, but check with the place that did it for their thoughts. Another thought on tracking down the leak - some coolant dyes are fluorescent. A look-see with a black light might turn something up. I've really fought some tiny leaks like tha because they don't ever show up. They drip on a hot surface and evaporate. Finally, a real concern is that it might be the water pump shaft leaking. The weep hole is not easy to see, being under the timing belt cover, but that doesn't have any place to evaporate easily. If you see a drop of antifreeze on the bottom edge of the timing belt cover but nowhere around it, you should plan on water pump (and timing belt) replacement soon. The water pump can seize and destroy the timing belt, and your engine with that. Yuck. Mike |
Re: Accord using fluid
In article <396a5984.0502180204.46c92ac2@posting.google.com >,
Lappcatt@aol.com (IBen Getiner) wrote: > jason@nospam.com (Jason) wrote in message news:<jason-1702051705260001@pm1-broad-86.snlo.dialup.fix.net>... > > In article <396a5984.0502162034.3ba1fe40@posting.google.com >, > > Lappcatt@aol.com (IBen Getiner) wrote: > > > > > I have a 1985 Honda Accord. It seems to be using small amounts of > > > radiator fluid and I can't find out why. It did overheat a few months > > > ago, but not all the way. No water is in the oil or anything. It uses > > > about a cup a week. If it were a cracked head gasket, wouldn't it be > > > getting worse by now? Wouldn't it be performing poorly? It seems to > > > run great. Any help would be greatly appreciated... > > > > The first thing you should do is to visit a store (like Staples or Office > > Depot) and buy some poster board. Tape some sheets of the poster board > > together and place it under your car after you get home from work or a > > long drive. It's my guess that if you have pin leak in one of the > > hoses--you will find some radiator fluid on the poster board directly > > under the leaking hose. If you don't find any radiator fluid on the poster > > board after a week--you may have a cracked head gasket which is expensive > > to fix. Have you checked the water pump? > > Thanks for everyone's input. This has been going on for several > months, so if it were a leak, I think it would have gotten worse > already. If it is a cracked head gasket, wouldn't we be seeing some > other signs by now? What other problems show themselves with a cracked > head gasket? The car belongs to my son now, but some years ago when it > was mine, the head gasket cracked and it wasn't a week before white > smoke and poor performance followed (plus the green fluid on the dip > stick). Fourtunatly, the head wasn't warped and it just needed the > gasket (450.00 bucks). > Another thing that seems a little odd... The last time I had the oil > changed was about a month ago. It is now very dirty. Looks like carbon > deposits. It doesn't make sense how the oil could get that dirty so > soon. Any relationship to the fluid loss and possibly a cracked head > gasket? > > > Ben Ben, Mike had some great suggestions. In some cases, the head gasket has a very small crack and in those cases--you won't see any major signs that you have a cracked head gasket. However, if you have a large or major crake in the head gasket--you will see lots of signs such as white smoke and really dirty oil. I once has a very small crack in the head gasket and the only sign was black oil--even a couple of days after I changed the oil. I seem to recall that there is at least one company that will test your oil. If anyone knows the phone number or address of the company--please post it so that we can help Ben figure out if he has a cracked head gasket. Ben, you might want to do a Google search on "head gaskets" "engine oil" and related subjects. You may be able to find out the addresses or phone numbers of companies that test oil. -- NEWSGROUP SUBSCRIBERS MOTTO We respect those subscribers that ask for advice or provide advice. We do NOT respect the subscribers that enjoy criticizing people. |
Re: Accord using fluid
In article <396a5984.0502180204.46c92ac2@posting.google.com >,
Lappcatt@aol.com (IBen Getiner) wrote: > jason@nospam.com (Jason) wrote in message news:<jason-1702051705260001@pm1-broad-86.snlo.dialup.fix.net>... > > In article <396a5984.0502162034.3ba1fe40@posting.google.com >, > > Lappcatt@aol.com (IBen Getiner) wrote: > > > > > I have a 1985 Honda Accord. It seems to be using small amounts of > > > radiator fluid and I can't find out why. It did overheat a few months > > > ago, but not all the way. No water is in the oil or anything. It uses > > > about a cup a week. If it were a cracked head gasket, wouldn't it be > > > getting worse by now? Wouldn't it be performing poorly? It seems to > > > run great. Any help would be greatly appreciated... > > > > The first thing you should do is to visit a store (like Staples or Office > > Depot) and buy some poster board. Tape some sheets of the poster board > > together and place it under your car after you get home from work or a > > long drive. It's my guess that if you have pin leak in one of the > > hoses--you will find some radiator fluid on the poster board directly > > under the leaking hose. If you don't find any radiator fluid on the poster > > board after a week--you may have a cracked head gasket which is expensive > > to fix. Have you checked the water pump? > > Thanks for everyone's input. This has been going on for several > months, so if it were a leak, I think it would have gotten worse > already. If it is a cracked head gasket, wouldn't we be seeing some > other signs by now? What other problems show themselves with a cracked > head gasket? The car belongs to my son now, but some years ago when it > was mine, the head gasket cracked and it wasn't a week before white > smoke and poor performance followed (plus the green fluid on the dip > stick). Fourtunatly, the head wasn't warped and it just needed the > gasket (450.00 bucks). > Another thing that seems a little odd... The last time I had the oil > changed was about a month ago. It is now very dirty. Looks like carbon > deposits. It doesn't make sense how the oil could get that dirty so > soon. Any relationship to the fluid loss and possibly a cracked head > gasket? > > > Ben Ben, Mike had some great suggestions. In some cases, the head gasket has a very small crack and in those cases--you won't see any major signs that you have a cracked head gasket. However, if you have a large or major crake in the head gasket--you will see lots of signs such as white smoke and really dirty oil. I once has a very small crack in the head gasket and the only sign was black oil--even a couple of days after I changed the oil. I seem to recall that there is at least one company that will test your oil. If anyone knows the phone number or address of the company--please post it so that we can help Ben figure out if he has a cracked head gasket. Ben, you might want to do a Google search on "head gaskets" "engine oil" and related subjects. You may be able to find out the addresses or phone numbers of companies that test oil. -- NEWSGROUP SUBSCRIBERS MOTTO We respect those subscribers that ask for advice or provide advice. We do NOT respect the subscribers that enjoy criticizing people. |
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