#2001 honda civic coolant reservoir cap how to

There are several kits out there, lisle, uview, balkamp, etc that you can pick up for 30-40 bucks. It's one of the best tests for head gaskets. If it is exhaust pushing the coolant out this test will show it. Has a compression leak detector been used? Other then the tank overflowing, it never showed any negative driving signs. Your story sounds very much similar to what I have read on Honda/Civic forums. You have now though given me a logical place to start next with diagnostics, and what to ask the mechs.Ĭar has ~155k. I really appreciate the offer for the kit, going to try and contact two mechs this weekend, but it may have to wait until Monday. To my knowledge, compression leak detection has not been done. Mine had 220k miles on it at the time.Īhh, that sure sounds like the same signs/symptoms, and thus perhaps the same problem. Mine failed both, so I replaced the head and head gasket. You have to rev it a little, so it can get messy. I've got one of these that'd I'd lend to you if you don't want to buy one, for just shipping charges.Īnother quick test, fill radiator all the way to the top, get vehicle up to temp, and look for bubbles.

Any thoughts on cause and/or what diagnostics I should mention being done this time? Read that cylinder leakdown should be done but that it too can be misleading. Need to get this issue fixed right this time, no time for UOA. No signs of overheating, and no external engine signs of head gasket leak. No sign of oil in coolant or milky looking oil, temp gauge only goes to half. I had replaced tstat w/Honda OEM last year some time.įorward to today ~3k later, coolant recovery almost filled to fill cap. I brough it home, changed the oil and filter and drained the coolant and refilled with new to between min and max in coolant tank. He looked it over, replaced the radiator cap, said he saw no head gasket issues, to keep an eye on it and bring it back if issue continues.

However, the temp gauge never went above half way, there's no oily film in the coolant, nor is there a milky film in the oil. I told him I had read (Honda/Civic sites) much about a probable head gasket leak. Took it to an independent mech who specializes in Hondas a couple months ago. Flushing the coolant on a regular basis removes gunk and mineral deposits from your engine, while prolonging the life of your heater core, thermostat, hoses and water pump.The coolant recovery tank on daughters 01 Civic keeps filling up/overflowing and radiator level seems to lower. If you spill coolant when you flush your Civic, be sure to put down cat litter to soak it up to discard it.

#2001 honda civic coolant reservoir cap how to

The video above shows you where the petcock on your radiator is located, how to flush the coolant / antifreeze and how to burp the system to get the air out of your Civic.Ĭoolant is toxic and animals are attracted to the sweet taste of coolant (antifreeze). When you flush your coolant, which is antifreeze, on your 2002, you are draining out all of the old dirty coolant and preventing costly radiator and cooling system repair down the road. Like the oil in your Civic, coolant gets dirty over time and loses its ability to cool down your 1.7 liter engine. Turn off the engine and drain the water, fill up the radiator with antifreeze until you have a 50/50 coolant / distilled water mixture and burp the system. Fill up the radiator with distilled water and run the engine. This video shows where the radiator drain plug (petcock) is located on a 2002 Honda Civic. Start your coolant flush by draining the coolant / antifreeze that is in your reservoir, then drain the coolant that is in your radiator by opening the petcock or removing the lower radiator hose.

In addition to preventing your car from overheating, coolant / antifreeze also helps lubricate the seals in the water pump and hoses. Coolant / antifreeze also passes through the heater core under your cowl to provide heat to the cabin of your Civic. Coolant / antifreeze circulates through Civic radiator and engine to maintain the proper temperature. Learn how to flush the coolant (antifreeze) in your 2002 Honda Civic.