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water is consuming from reserve water tank "Honda Ballade"

 
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machineguy machineguy
New User | Posts: 5 | Joined: 12/10
Posted: 04/28/11
01:00 AM

Hi gurus,

I use Honda Ballade 1992. When I drive more than 70Km at a time I see the water is used from reserve tank. I put full tank water and it goes to half of the tank.

However, Radiator hose water is always there, only reserve tank water is less.

What kind of problem is that? Is it a problem with Radiator?  

 
waynep7122 waynep7122
Addict | Posts: 4562 | Joined: 08/09
Posted: 04/28/11
08:26 AM

a few things... i take it that you are not driving a USA spec model..  but a honda is a honda... even when its a sterling version..

the coolant overflow tank allows the coolant in the motor to expand with heat so the system stays filled... and when shut off the coolant contracts... the system pulling coolant from the overflow (coolant reserve bottle)  

the coolant reserve bottle should be half way filled with coolant.. not straight water..     but you seem to perhaps have a leak...

can you verify that the electric fans are working .. cycling on and off after about 4 to 6 minutes from a cold start at idle..

i have found on hondas... that the thermostats have worn out and need to be changed..  NOT JUST REMOVED....

i have found the radiator fan switch to have failed to operate or becomes intermittent...

i have found on some hondas.. that the radiator cooling fan relays have failed or gone intermittent..

so a cooling fan check is the first thing to ***

~~~~~~~~~

testing the cooling system...  

how much concentration of coolant verses water do you have in the radiator... there are parts in the honda head under operation that get hotter than the boiling point of diluted coolant.. and well above the boiling point of water.. this causes steam bubbles to be formed expanding the coolant and forcing it out of the radiator system and into the coolant tank.. when you drop the speed after a hard run...  the cooling system can recover.. this causes the overflow to be pulled back into the motor.. causing it to be empty when you open the hood..

there are radiator pressure testers available..  sometimes for rent at parts stores.. they are usually designed for the large cap.. and the 28 MM cap that your honda might have will need an adaptor..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

how is your water pump....    when those start to leak at the seal.. it can sling coolant out and cause the system to empty..

~~~~~~~~~~~~

can you check your oil fill cap.. make sure that there is no white sludge on the inside.. where it might be a sign of the head gasket failure..

hondas along with many other brands of cars with aluminum heads..  when over heated the hottest parts of the heads expand.. can crush the head gasket in localized area... when the head returns to normal temp.. there is less pressure on that part of the gasket and combustion gas pressures can leak past causing significant problems..  like blowing ALL the coolant out of the overflow bottle..

if you have access to compressed air in a repair shop...    a compression tester hose that can be hooded directly to shop air hose...    and a remote starter switch..

you can remove one spark plug at a time.. bring that cylinder to exact TDC with the remote starter switch...   with the radiator cap off .. the overflow hose pinched off.. and the radiator filled to the top of the neck...   charge the cylinder with compressed air.. if the head gasket is damaged... the coolant level will rise in the radiator..  do each cylinder one at a time.. putting the spark plugs back in ... as the leak can be between the cylinders...

one last thing...  if you end up doing a head gasket.. you will have to have the head surfaced... and please.. plan ahead... order a tube of hylomar .. there are several versions..   the racing formulla works good.. permatex also has it available again.. use it on both sides of the head gasket..  let it air dry for 30 minutes prior to setting the gasket on..    this will reduce the chance of a blown or leaking head gasket after you finish the job significantly..  i won't do a head gasket without it..  i don't have time to do it a second time..  for free...   head gasket companies say to install it dry.. yep.. they are in the business of selling head gaskets..  oh.. its leaking.. better buy another..  yea right..  hylomar is not like any other product.. google it..

hondas also have bleeder screws... be sure to let the air out of the system after refilling.. and please use spark plug antiseize on the threads of the thermostat housing bolts...  

 
machineguy machineguy
New User | Posts: 5 | Joined: 12/10
Posted: 04/28/11
01:02 PM

Actually the car is not overheated. Note that I removed the Thermostat (there is no Thermostat currently) and wash the radiator inside. After that overheat problem solved. But water consume from the reserve tank.

The Fan in the radiator works fine. Actually AC and radiator fan both are running as they have short in connection. Also note that I put normal water in reserve tank. But antifreez was given after radiator has clean in radiator pipe

Any COMMNETS pls.  

 
waynep7122 waynep7122
Addict | Posts: 4562 | Joined: 08/09
Posted: 04/28/11
01:15 PM

pressure test system  

 
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