# '03 Civic - coolant not returning from overflow container

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/03-civic-coolant-not-returning-from-overflow-container/85924>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [July 10, 2014, 10:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/03-civic-coolant-not-returning-from-overflow-container/85924 "2014-07-10T22:39:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\
**Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 7:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/03-civic-coolant-not-returning-from-overflow-container/85924/21 "2014-08-01T07:26:11Z")

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I don’t see how a head gasket would prevent the coolant from returning back to the radiator from the reservoir.

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**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 1:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/03-civic-coolant-not-returning-from-overflow-container/85924/22 "2014-08-02T01:34:21Z")

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When the engine cools a partial vacuum forms in the cooling system and things contract.  
Thar suction draws coolant from the reservoir to the radiator.  
But if a HD breach draws in air instead the coolant stays in the reservoir.

[Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/03-civic-coolant-not-returning-from-overflow-container/85924.md?page=1)