Cooling System Issue?

Maintenance/Repairs
1

Concerned about a cooling system issue and looking for input.

About 10 days ago I took my 2013 CR-V (around 150K) miles for its annual inspection and my mechanic found a leak in the coolant crossover pipe. He showed me the bad pipe when the car was up on a lift. He replaced it and I thought I was good. Two days ago I was looking under the car after having driven for about five minutes, and noticed coolant dripping. I brought the car to a different mechanic in the town where I now live (I’m in the process of moving; the mechanic who did the initial inspection is in my old town, about 70 miles away). The new mechanic found that the radiator was leaking and replaced it. So, I was really hoping I was good.

Anyway, this afternoon, a couple hours after taking a short (~25 mile roundtrip drive), I took a look at the engine and noticed the coolant reservoir tank nearly empty. Opening it I saw just a bit of coolant at the bottom. Opening the radiator cap itself, I saw the coolant level just above where the “grill” starts, if that makes sense. I can’t fully understand the manual’s instruction about where to look for the level in the radiator itself, but based on the fact that the radiator was just replaced and the reservoir is nearly empty, this does not seem right?

So I checked for a leak. From above I don’t see any signs of a leak; however, under the car, if I look on the underside of the engine on the passenger side, the car does look wetter there than anywhere else under the vehicle, almost muddy. (It did rain a ton last night, but again, underside of the rest of the car looks dry.) When I wipe it with a cloth I don’t get any distinct color or smell.

Anyway, I plan to call the mechanic tomorrow, but any input is welcome. I have very little experience with engine cooling systems and never had any issues on my last car, but I’m starting to get concerned. The car passed inspection 10 days ago (the first mechanic is a reputable guy I trust who’s worked on this and my previous car for 3 or 4 years). When I brought it in with the leak the second time I think that second mechanic said he didn’t see any signs of a head gasket issue (and I haven’t seen any of the other common warning signs, though I know coolant issues are one).

Anyway, any thoughts?

2

Well? The only thing that can be done at this point is bring the vehicle back to the mechanic so they can do a cooling system pressure test to see if any leaks show up.

Tester

1 Like
3

The reason the coolant level might have been low the second time is that the mechanic might not have properly bled the system. At this point, you should probably add a little coolant if you can.

Get a bottle of 50/50 premix for Asian Cars or get the Honda premix if there is a dealer nearby. When the car is cold, fill the radiator to the top and put on the cap. Then add just enough coolant to the overflow to bring it up to the min level. Do not fill the overflow bottle. Check the level before each drive when cold to see if you have lost any more coolant. If you have, add some but if you have to keep adding frequently, then go back to the mechanic of your choice.

4 Likes
4

Thanks for thoughts. One update. I looked more closely at the car’s underside and the wetness seems like it might be engine oil. A bit gunky and not totally clear but it has the smell. With the car cold oil dipstick shows it around the minimum level. So I’m wondering if there’s a separate issue here, unless these two are connected.

Oil with the dipstick does not seem “milky” at all; likewise no blue color on the car’s underside.

5

One last quick and cheap way to check for oil and coolant mixing is to take the oil cap off and look at the bottom. If it looks like a milkshake, then the head gasket might be a problem.

1 Like
6

That’s true, but a milky residue on the oil cap can also be an indication that the engine is being subjected to too many short-distance runs, with no chance to warm-up fully.

2 Likes
7

Do what @keith suggested. Make certain the radiator cap is on tight and straight. Try to note the level of the coolant in the overflow bottle. Then use the car as you normally do and check the level in the overflow bottle often. If it stabilizes, you’re done.