Coolant leaks

[randomwalk101]

I pulled out my K&N for cleaning today and I noticed some coolant leak around the JRSC area. I am using Prestone extended life coolant (orange stuffs) and this coolant forms an orange power when dried thus I can pin-point the exact leaking area. The leak is located on the passenger side of the JSRC where it attaches to the engine. I guess it is a small leak at this point. Anyone experienced this problem? Is it the gasket between the engine and JRSC blown? Do I have to pull the charger to fix this leak?

[Holden]

It is probably the manifold gasket. How well did you clean it before putting the new gasket on during the install?

It could be from a casting flaw, since there is a coolant passage through the manifold on the passenger side. My manifold has this, but the leak was obviously from the top of where the manifold connects to the head.

Greg

[randomwalk101]

Here are some pics of the leaking vicinity. The orange stuffs are where the leaks are.

[This message has been edited by randomwalk101 (edited January 01, 2001).]

[randomwalk101]

here are some pics...any idea how to fix it? Acura will probably charge me an arm and a leg for this one

[BlownAway]

Sure looks like the intake manifold gasket is leaking. I wonder if any coolant is going into the manifold? I'd bet someone took a shortcut during the installation and didn't install a new gasket. I spent 3 hours scraping my gasket off.
As far as I know, the blower has to be removed to access the bottom nuts of the manifold. This might take several hours to fix.

[JRCivic]

Randomwalk101...

Unfortunately, you will have to remove the blower and the manifold in order to fix this problem. Once you get to the gasket, make sure that you do not see any cracks/imperfections in the manifold casting. If all looks good, carefully scrape all old gasket material off of the mating surface on the head. If you accidentally scratch this area deeply, you will need to use some "Honda Bond" to fill the gaps before installing a new intake gasket.

BTW, what year is your car ??? Did you know that the coolant that you have installed in your motor is NOT designed for your cooling system ??? You may want to consider going back to the regular old GREEN stuff.



------------------



'93 Civic Si H/B with B18C1, JRSC @ 8psi
Best 1320: 12.68 at 110 mph

[randomwalk101]

JRCivic,
I drove the car around today and the leak is not major..It's a very slow, small leak. I am wondering if I drive it like this, will the problem get worse over time. Also, if I tighten that nut up a little bit will help out any? I took the car into the dealer and got a run around...they asked me to bring it back next Monday...will see...
Wrong coolant? Wow, that stuffs is a lot more expensive than the green stuffs. Looks like I'm f*cked in more ways than one...arghhh.

[rjaffey]

JRCivic,

What's the problem with using the "orange stuff"?

[zip]

I just bought that orange stuff too but haven't poured it in. It has that GM "dexcool" additive, right?

[rjaffey]

According to Prestone their stuff is 100% Dexcool compatible. see:

http://www.prestone.com/products/14.htm

I don't know if it's exactly the same formulation, but the concept's the same. Supposedly longer water pump life, less sediment, corrosion inhibiters last longer, blah, blah...

Anyhow, as far as I know, the only problem with using it is that the cooling system must be completely free of "green stuff" before adding Dexcool (or Prestone). Otherwise the Dexcool is considered "contaminated" and one should then use the flushing interval recommended for "green stuff".