Coolant leak

Tiny
BOBBIE EPHREM
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 HONDA PRELUDE
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 215,000 MILES
So long story short I have the car listed above that had some old hoses on it most I replaced, but I have a leak that is causing my car to over height and I am stumped. I have included a picture with where I am seeing this leak. Now I am looking down into this hole by the fuel injector which gives me a view of the area behind the thermostat housing and water connecting pipe. The leak I see seems like it is behind the thermostat housing and up almost like it was leaking from exactly where the EGR is. Please help
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Friday, November 2nd, 2018 AT 9:15 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,554 POSTS
Hello,

I would put pressure on the system then look from under to see exactly where is coming from. Here is a video and a guide to help us get started. It sounds like it could be the head gasket leaking externally.

https://youtu.be/W8kra65m15c

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

Please run down these guides and report back.

Cheers, Ken

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Sunday, November 4th, 2018 AT 11:32 AM
Tiny
BOBBIE EPHREM
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Hi Ken. I have already completed my pressure test yesterday good timing! And it is very difficult to produce accurate results because the system will not hold enough liquid for me to properly get the tester pumping around 3 psi. Even all I have been able to do is confirm the same general area above the water connecting pipe and thermostat housing is leaking. I was able to see bubbles as I pumped air into the system and even when all the coolant is gone I can hear how big the seepage is. No signs of coolant in the oil or vice versa. The vehicle does not smoke I will complete a combustion test tomorrow for my own personal knowledge. Also, it seems like it has leaked coolant into the manifold where the cover for the exhaust is.I believe that is the location of the freeze plugs? Any more advice?
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Sunday, November 4th, 2018 AT 10:20 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Just try to get an eye on the leaks origin, I use a small mirror on a stick and a flashlight. Here is what I talking about:

https://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-80560-Telescoping-Inspection/dp/B0052EE1EU/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1541436935&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=mirror+on+a+stick&psc=1

Let me know, I am not sure if there is a freeze plug there or not. I was thinking the head gasket leaking externally. Let me know.
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Monday, November 5th, 2018 AT 8:56 AM
Tiny
BOBBIE EPHREM
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
So I’ve completed the combustion test and No head gasket issues (Whew!) But still have no idea what is leaking. I’ve included a pic to better define the area I can see a obvious leak

Ps. Ignore the diagram being for an accord
Also,

Is there any other way other than underneath the car to get a peak at what’s going on around that connecting pipe oil cooler area etc? Just because do to an injury I’m unable to get under the car but I’m capable of dismantling engine parts to get a better view
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Monday, November 5th, 2018 AT 7:13 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep it looks like you might have a pin hole in the coolant pipe causing the leak. I would remove it to confirm the failure.
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Tuesday, November 6th, 2018 AT 10:01 AM
Tiny
BOBBIE EPHREM
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Leak solved! And repaired

My suspicions were correct, it was the connecting pipe outlet hose so the hose that connects to the “connecting pipe”. I have included another diagram to help those who might have the same issue and thinking what the heck? This diagram is 99.9% accurate except that the “outlet” pipe that connects to the connecting pipe is more on the thermostat side rather than water pump side like the diagram shows. Anyway

Thank God I got it done.
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Thursday, November 8th, 2018 AT 12:46 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, November 8th, 2018 AT 9:46 AM

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