radiator fluid

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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 02:15 PM
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euroStyle's Avatar
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radiator fluid

i was checking the car and saw that it was low.
what kind should i get to refill?
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 03:26 PM
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i let dealer filled up during services/recall.
or Honda Coolant. Honda's formula is different to others (GM) i think you can filled with Prestone's new one that claim to be compatible with all make. but if you want to keep retain extend drain period on coolant; the use Honda coolant only. it cost about $11-12 at dealer, pre-mix. if it's only a little low, i would not bother, wait til next sevices and let them top it off.
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 03:28 PM
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Did you check for leaks? Raidiator fluid dosent just get "low"

Good ole Prestone should do it.
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 03:34 PM
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mine got a bit low too, i check the little reserve tank. i hope it's not leaking, but engine oil looks good so i don't know... vapourized???? ... Honda's coolant contain no silicate, and load of phosphate. mixing coolant reduce it's full performance.
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 05:21 PM
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Originally Posted by gogozy
mine got a bit low too, i check the little reserve tank. i hope it's not leaking, but engine oil looks good so i don't know... vapourized???? ... Honda's coolant contain no silicate, and load of phosphate. mixing coolant reduce it's full performance.
If your "coolant" is vaporizing in a sealed system, you have some serious problems then.

Reserve tank is not a reserve tank at all. Its a spill over incase the coolant gets overheated. So, instead of blasting the cap off your raidiator, some of the coolant will spill into it. Its not used to suck up new coolant, so if your filling this up with new coolant, dont.
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 05:36 PM
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thanks
so rad does not suck coolant from it? i thought the coolant spill into it when got then when engine cold it suck some of it back. maybe i am wrong, help
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by gogozy
thanks
so rad does not suck coolant from it? i thought the coolant spill into it when got then when engine cold it suck some of it back. maybe i am wrong, help
Nope. I'm pretty sure its just a spillover. If you really want to check your coolant level, twist the cap off the raidiator several hours after driving. If there's fluid at the top, your fine.
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 05:43 PM
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i see, so i am fine!!
why the coolant in that spill over tank disapear? vaporized ?
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by joerockt
Reserve tank is not a reserve tank at all. Its a spill over incase the coolant gets overheated. So, instead of blasting the cap off your raidiator, some of the coolant will spill into it. Its not used to suck up new coolant, so if your filling this up with new coolant, dont.
????????????? It's a reserve tank. As the coolant heats/expands it pressurizes the cooling system behind the radiator cap. If the cooling system pressure exceeds the spec of the cap 14-18PSI the cap relieves pressure into the recovery bottle. When the coolant cools/contracts a vacuum is created which draws coolant out of the bottle and back into the radiator. Which is why the recovery tank has a tube that goes to the bottom of the tank so it will always draw coolant from the tank.

In answer to the original question, coolant contains water, which evaporates when exposed to the atmosphere, so the level in the tank will tend to drop over time. It's such a small amount that you should be fine topping it up with water, but the proper thing to do is use the recommended coolant (in this case Honda type 2).
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 10:31 PM
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ok, i dont get it.
the radiator was full.
but the tank, thats white, is filled to the "min" level, well the last time i check it.
what should i do?
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 10:36 PM
  #11  
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wait, i just checked it again. gogozy and poltergeist are right, i think it does work like a reserve thanks.
in the morning, it was at min, now its about a inch above the min level. thanks for the help guys.
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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 12:05 PM
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no need to worry for short time if not too low, wait til service and let dealer fill up. no reason to buy 4L when you need 100ml
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