# 98 Civic leaking antifreeze

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-leaking-antifreeze/76934>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** civic, honda\
**Created:** [January 25, 2013, 8:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-leaking-antifreeze/76934 "2013-01-25T08:16:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mrsmith71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/0ea827/32.png) [@mrsmith71](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mrsmith71)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 8:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-leaking-antifreeze/76934/1 "2013-01-25T08:16:40Z")

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My 98 Honda Civic is leaking antifreeze. The man at the oil change place said that I need a new head gasket. But when I look at the engine with the motor running, I see that the fluid is dripping from something I believe is called the water outlet cover. This is on the far left side of the motor where the top radiator hose connects. Can I safely assume that the water outlet gasket is truly the problem and is a cheaper fix?

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**Author:** ![UncleTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9a140/32.png) [@UncleTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UncleTurbo)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 8:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-leaking-antifreeze/76934/2 "2013-01-25T08:29:05Z")

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Forget the guy at the oil change place. You can see the leak? Take it to a real mechanic, an independent shop with good Honda knowledge. Ask them for a fix and an estimate of the cost.

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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:** [January 25, 2013, 9:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-leaking-antifreeze/76934/3 "2013-01-25T09:45:32Z")

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The gooseneck, aka thermostat housing or as you called it water outlet cover, had a bleed valve in it. Maybe it is loose?

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**Author:** ![mrsmith71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/0ea827/32.png) [@mrsmith71](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mrsmith71)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2013, 1:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-civic-leaking-antifreeze/76934/4 "2013-01-26T01:53:20Z")

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I found this picture. I think I’ll try to fix it myself with some RTV sealer.