Hey everyone first post up on this forum. Unfort its a request for immedate help! Looking for help with a coolant issue I’m still chasing down on my '94 Honda Acty. I just bought her few days ago, but after doing a depper dive seeing theres a BIG rust issue in coolant system. When I first test-drove her at the dealership, I drove up to my house (which sits on a pretty steep incline), and that first trip ended with her smoking white and spitting out coolant. After purchasing, I noticed they had filled it with yellow coolant, which I know is incorrect for this truck and could have contributed to rusting in the system. But radiator still no outer rust and looks like its been replaced latley. *attached photos too* Here’s what I’ve done so far: Day 1: Did a full coolant flush – fluid was brown and never turned clear Day 2: Removed the lower radiator hose Backflushed from the rear of the truck toward the front (garden hose into the heater core line) Then flushed from the radiator cap down through the radiator with the bottom hose still off Refilled with proper Asian non-silicate coolant Still, after one drive (especially up that same hill.)..the reservoir is always empty again and she’s still spitting out coolant. No more white smoke, but clearly something's not right. *note that the temp gague is little less than midway. Never hits over middle. Any insight on what I should check next? Head gasket? Cracked radiator or heater core? Air pockets I’m not bleeding correctly? Appreciate any help from folks who’ve been through this or know the quirks of the Acty cooling system. Mahalo in advance!
Are you saying the reservoir is empty after it has cooled down, and the water is all sucked back in? does it blow bubbles in the reservoir, when hot? that sediment looks like sealer to me. Did the dealer hide damage from you? I suggest testing for exhaust in the water. I just had a blown head gasket on mine. it would empty the coolant, blowing it out exhaust pipe and filled the cooling system with exhast gasses. I got luck there was none in the oil. this wasn't my first time dealing with a blown head gasket.
Aloha Bert, thank you for your feedback. Much appreciated I mean yea sending back to dealership is my later option, couple reasons why that will be last resort is (1) owners and workers at Sakura Autos barley speak english here on island. So to translate the issue and for them to understand/ok for my $$ back will be a struggle (2) I do love this car already, want to resolve the issue on my own if possible. As for your question. The reservoir gets emptied while in drive (could be combo of getting sucked in and getting spit out). Because i can see droppings on the floor while in drive and while parked. Then while it is cooled down the level seems to stay the same (if there is anything left in it). BUt no white smoke out of exhaust when im driving. I did open the cap while it is warm to try to burp again, it has minimal burp but no extreme steam or pushing out of liquids drastically. and if it isnt rust you may be right its sealant, they probably dumped some without letting me know. I did ask about the issue they said "no problem" so I can claim that since I have text messgaes. & i got that blue liquid and suction test coming in tomorrow. Going to test for a blown head gasket, which would make sense they dumped in sealant. :/
If I understand you. You are seeing drops of coolant on the floor inside the cab? When you are driving? Or do you mean on the ground?
yea correct under and out of the reservoir, nothing in cabin. driving mid-day, not too hot here in Jawaii. but I will note that I live on a significant ridgeline/hill here I do drop it to 2 before I start my ascent to my house every time. I just bought a new radiator cap too, and been driving around yesterday. And no major dripping and level dip in reservoir! But still going to test the exhaust in coolant with the blue liquid/suciton test today once that order comes in. Since your sludge comment totally aligns with some head gasket filler being put in there
