# Radiator fluid loss

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-fluid-loss/28846>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [April 7, 2009, 6:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-fluid-loss/28846 "2009-04-07T06:02:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Paul53](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5fc32e/32.png) [@Paul53](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Paul53)\
**Post date:** [April 7, 2009, 6:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-fluid-loss/28846/1 "2009-04-07T06:02:47Z")

</div>

Burnt orange color at tailpipe. My guess is that the radiator fluid is being sipped through the head gasket. The car is a 1991 Honda Civic Hatchback Standard model with 4 speed manual transmission.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [April 7, 2009, 9:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-fluid-loss/28846/2 "2009-04-07T09:36:17Z")

</div>

If your losing coolant, you have a leak. If you see evidence of it going out the tail pipe, it is internal to the engine. Head gasket, intake manifold leaks, or cracks/voids in the head are all suspect.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [April 7, 2009, 10:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-fluid-loss/28846/3 "2009-04-07T10:51:03Z")

</div>

A mechanic can test for traces of combustion gasses in the coolant, and compression leak-down in the cylinders. Don’t guess about a leaking head gasket. Make sure, one way or the other.