2009 RDX Leaking coolant
08-20-2016, 07:34 PM
#1
2009 RDX Leaking coolant
Hello All, I have a 2009 RDX with 100k miles. I noticed that there was a hot coolant smell after driving it and the garage has small drips of coolant on the floor. I don't have to top off the reservior very often or with very much fluid. It is not smoking, it does not leak oil or any other fluids, and I do not have bubbles in the reservior. It does not get hot, nor has it ever overheated. The engine functions normally.
I searched and found a leak at the rear passenger side of the engine, between the rear engine and firewall. It is near where the turbo is mounted. I have included pics. Orientation for the pictures is looking down into the engine bay. Anybody have any advice as to what this is and how to go about fixing it? As far as I can tell this is the only leak I have.
Thanks
I searched and found a leak at the rear passenger side of the engine, between the rear engine and firewall. It is near where the turbo is mounted. I have included pics. Orientation for the pictures is looking down into the engine bay. Anybody have any advice as to what this is and how to go about fixing it? As far as I can tell this is the only leak I have.
Thanks
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freddieb (02-09-2023)
09-08-2016, 04:33 PM
#2
Hi OldRusty,
Per this article: https://acurazine.com/forums/first-g...oolant-798355/
It looks like the turbo is cooled both by the engine oil and coolant. The 2nd picture you have posted, it seems like the hose isn't properly seated. I would re-seat it all the way in and buy a new hose clamp as it seems rather rusted. Proceed to clean that area and monitor for additional leakage. While you are in there, also check to see if there are any cracking/breaks in the original hose.
If it doesn't come back, problem solved. If it does, lets hit the drawing board again. Either way, it seems like a very slow leak - thought I wouldn't let that hose fall off and dump coolant into the rear.
Hope this helps.
Jeff
Per this article: https://acurazine.com/forums/first-g...oolant-798355/
It looks like the turbo is cooled both by the engine oil and coolant. The 2nd picture you have posted, it seems like the hose isn't properly seated. I would re-seat it all the way in and buy a new hose clamp as it seems rather rusted. Proceed to clean that area and monitor for additional leakage. While you are in there, also check to see if there are any cracking/breaks in the original hose.
If it doesn't come back, problem solved. If it does, lets hit the drawing board again. Either way, it seems like a very slow leak - thought I wouldn't let that hose fall off and dump coolant into the rear.
Hope this helps.
Jeff
09-11-2016, 06:33 PM
#3
The hose looks up to the bulge in the tube. It is on all the way. My guess is its coming from above the spot you can see it in the pic. Get under it and see where the drip forms and follow it up.
02-09-2018, 04:08 PM
#5
CSmoney28
02-28-2018, 09:55 AM
#7
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03-01-2018, 12:13 PM
#8
You can fix the leak in that picture by one readjusting that hose and hose clamp unless the hose is broken than you would need to replace it. You could also upgrade to a hose clip or worm clip as it's called .
03-01-2018, 03:25 PM
#9
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Hopefully we found it o ring on coolant tube. We went to this website and found a break down of the system. good luck !!!!
www.acurapartswarehouse.com
www.acurapartswarehouse.com
03-12-2018, 02:25 AM
#10
Well I am no RDX guru. But I do happen to know a little more about leaks in this area than I wanted to.
The manifold is indeed water cooled. Obviously that hose in the left of the picture can leak and cook coolant there. If you look harder though, you will see a pipe on the right side of that same hump on the manifold. That is where the o ring mentioned is located and that could leak also.
Worst case scenario, the gasket between the manifold and head could be leaking. But in this case the top side would have to be leaking and letting the coolant bubble up. I don't know how common that is. But it's probably not at all out of the question if you think about it, being the turbo and all that is hanging on the manifold.
If it is not one of those 3 it should be easy to spot a spray from a hose or something.
All in all, if you are not wealthy, lift the hood on a cold engine. Look really good. As tight and complex as everything is, you might want to be considering buying one of those inspection cameras with lighting that hooks to your phone like I am. Look good then if no idea crank it up and look carefully while it runs. Let it sit and idle in place until the fan kicks on. Then go straight and shut off. Then continue looking while the pressure is up and the convection may still be moving the coolant.
Another option is to get a pressure tester and hook it up, then inspect again. I have never used one, but I can remember the old radiator shops used to do it. I usually just track down leaks with patience and persistence. They usually show up on a hot system, or sometimes on a stone cold engine parked untouched for the weekend
The manifold is indeed water cooled. Obviously that hose in the left of the picture can leak and cook coolant there. If you look harder though, you will see a pipe on the right side of that same hump on the manifold. That is where the o ring mentioned is located and that could leak also.
Worst case scenario, the gasket between the manifold and head could be leaking. But in this case the top side would have to be leaking and letting the coolant bubble up. I don't know how common that is. But it's probably not at all out of the question if you think about it, being the turbo and all that is hanging on the manifold.
If it is not one of those 3 it should be easy to spot a spray from a hose or something.
All in all, if you are not wealthy, lift the hood on a cold engine. Look really good. As tight and complex as everything is, you might want to be considering buying one of those inspection cameras with lighting that hooks to your phone like I am. Look good then if no idea crank it up and look carefully while it runs. Let it sit and idle in place until the fan kicks on. Then go straight and shut off. Then continue looking while the pressure is up and the convection may still be moving the coolant.
Another option is to get a pressure tester and hook it up, then inspect again. I have never used one, but I can remember the old radiator shops used to do it. I usually just track down leaks with patience and persistence. They usually show up on a hot system, or sometimes on a stone cold engine parked untouched for the weekend
09-25-2018, 06:18 PM
#11
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09-25-2018, 06:35 PM
#12
I never found a hose leaking or anything. A previous poster said..
"Worst case scenario, the gasket between the manifold and head could be leaking. But in this case the top side would have to be leaking and letting the coolant bubble up. I don't know how common that is. But it's probably not at all out of the question if you think about it, being the turbo and all that is hanging on the manifold."
This sounds like what is happening to mine. The coolant seems to cook up from that seam and drip down. I have no plans to fix it as the loss is minimal and predictable, but if it gets worse then I will. I just keep it topped off.
"Worst case scenario, the gasket between the manifold and head could be leaking. But in this case the top side would have to be leaking and letting the coolant bubble up. I don't know how common that is. But it's probably not at all out of the question if you think about it, being the turbo and all that is hanging on the manifold."
This sounds like what is happening to mine. The coolant seems to cook up from that seam and drip down. I have no plans to fix it as the loss is minimal and predictable, but if it gets worse then I will. I just keep it topped off.
09-25-2018, 07:33 PM
#13
CSmoney28
I’m just helping, now my issue thankfully.
Try just asking the dealership to trouble shoot for you. Mine does that for free then YouTube how to fix it. That works sometimes, it’s worth a shot...
Try just asking the dealership to trouble shoot for you. Mine does that for free then YouTube how to fix it. That works sometimes, it’s worth a shot...
02-03-2019, 05:05 PM
#14
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I am facing the same issue here - faint coolant smell and traces of evaporated coolant in the same location. It's super slow - no drops on the ground but just enough to seep. I don't think mine is coming from the hose does that leave the manifold/head gasket the only possible culprit?
02-04-2019, 07:53 PM
#17
CSmoney28
Check it during the day with the hood open to the service notch in the sun and with a flash light as well for the dark locations. Try to take a video as well while it runs where you see the cooling pooling up and trace it back to where it would have to come from to land there...
02-07-2019, 09:33 PM
#18
Hose leak. Oring leak. Gasket leak. Those are the 3 possibilities.
The last picture looks like the gasket leak.... so you gotta make sure nothing g is dripping and following the gasket crease
If it is the gasket it will bubble up there like lava out of a crack.
The last picture looks like the gasket leak.... so you gotta make sure nothing g is dripping and following the gasket crease
If it is the gasket it will bubble up there like lava out of a crack.
04-09-2019, 01:24 PM
#19
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Coolant leak
I had a small coolant leak constantly, this weekend I pulled the intercooler and the valve cover to change the gasket. In the process I moved the metal hoses on the right side of the valve cover. When I put it back together it leaked coolant from the metal lines. It looked like it was corroded. As a temporary fix I ran a rubber coolant line to replace it. I ordered a new one, part # is 19540-RWC-A00. This connects the coolant line from the throttle body to the turbo. There are 2 vacuum lines as well. I will let you know when I get the part but my leak has stopped by replacing it with a rubber hose.
Last edited by greg1c; 04-09-2019 at 01:28 PM.
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freddieb (11-10-2021)
07-02-2019, 01:21 AM
#26
I am glad it was not the exhaust manifold gasket.
I need to pull some stuff out of the way where I can see good and inspect some of this stuff on mine too and make sure I am not headed for a leak in the same place before long.
I need to pull some stuff out of the way where I can see good and inspect some of this stuff on mine too and make sure I am not headed for a leak in the same place before long.
06-29-2021, 01:35 PM
#28
My RDX 2010 was the same spot coolant leaking sometimes. I tested with radiator pressure tester. I found driver side turbo out let coolant line has o ring leaking and change all clamps around there. Part number is O-Ring (13.6X3.8mm)- Acura (91316-PHM-003). I asked from Acura or Honda parts.
08-14-2021, 08:36 AM
#31
2010 RDX Overheated
Hey everyone. I'm coming on here first since it seems everyone has been tracing coolant leaks on this thread. My lady's RDX overheated yesterday as she was getting a beeping sound and the temp indicator showed it claiming in temp. I told her to pull over and all the car to cool down and not to drive it. I went to her job after I got out with some type 2 coolant, funnel, tools and jumpers to see it her fans stopped working etc. The car was cooled by that time. I checked the radiator to find what seemed to be empty. There are no leaking hoses or drips anywhere that I can see. The engine bay has very little spots to show leaks/splashing from the rad. Mainly the spots are from the cap. I'm suspecting there is a very slow leak and possibly from the rad cap. I tried finding a coolant bleeder valve prior to filling, but only saw online that there isn't one. Please correct me if there is. I filled the rad up with 1/2 gal of coolant to top it off. Ran the car to see if any areas begin to leak as the systems burps/bleeds. Fans kicked on so that's a plus. Still no leaks that I can find even the places mentioned in this thread. Any ideas to how this system can lose 1/2 a gal of coolant with no big visual spots. Again suspecting the rad cap but not 100% sure. Thanks for your input.
08-14-2021, 02:25 PM
#32
CSmoney28
Overflow tank is plastic and I had to change mine once, it had a crack and was leaking. Also the radiators are know to fail internally not mine but others have had that complaint. Also on my rdx the install pipe rusted and has a slow leak. I haven't changed it yet because its way to hot out and the leak is slow. Maybe one of these could be your cause?
08-14-2021, 03:11 PM
#33
Hey everyone. I'm coming on here first since it seems everyone has been tracing coolant leaks on this thread. My lady's RDX overheated yesterday as she was getting a beeping sound and the temp indicator showed it claiming in temp. I told her to pull over and all the car to cool down and not to drive it. I went to her job after I got out with some type 2 coolant, funnel, tools and jumpers to see it her fans stopped working etc. The car was cooled by that time. I checked the radiator to find what seemed to be empty. There are no leaking hoses or drips anywhere that I can see. The engine bay has very little spots to show leaks/splashing from the rad. Mainly the spots are from the cap. I'm suspecting there is a very slow leak and possibly from the rad cap. I tried finding a coolant bleeder valve prior to filling, but only saw online that there isn't one. Please correct me if there is. I filled the rad up with 1/2 gal of coolant to top it off. Ran the car to see if any areas begin to leak as the systems burps/bleeds. Fans kicked on so that's a plus. Still no leaks that I can find even the places mentioned in this thread. Any ideas to how this system can lose 1/2 a gal of coolant with no big visual spots. Again suspecting the rad cap but not 100% sure. Thanks for your input.
08-16-2021, 11:30 AM
#34
Check your oil and transmission fluids to make sure there isn't come internal leak you aren't aware of. As someone else said, radiator can fail internally and allow transmission fluid and coolant to mix. A leaky head gasket can also allow coolant to mix with the oil. So any signs of contamination in either and help you diagnose (or rule out) the issue.
08-26-2021, 07:53 PM
#35
Overflow tank is plastic and I had to change mine once, it had a crack and was leaking. Also the radiators are know to fail internally not mine but others have had that complaint. Also on my rdx the install pipe rusted and has a slow leak. I haven't changed it yet because its way to hot out and the leak is slow. Maybe one of these could be your cause?
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