I have a 2000 Honda Accord EX sedan with 4 cylinder and A/T. Today I noticed that my coolant reservoir was empty and the coolant level in the radiator was down to the base of the neck. I have never noticed a coolant leak anywhere. What I did notice this morning is a splashed, whitish residue around the reservoir tank area. Doesn't appear to be any such residue around the radiator. I'm assuming that this residue is coolant. Any input on this situation would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

I would stop by a parts store and rent a radiator pressure tester. Check that your radiator holds about 15 psi.

 

I discovered a hairline crack in the plastic radiator casing. Coolant definitely beading up at this location. Do I have any repair options other than a radiator replacement ? Thanks.

 

Any repair would be very temporary. Replacing the radiator is the way to fix this.

 

That plastic tank can have brittle failure. I wouldn't trust a repair for much longer than the time it takes to order a radiator.

 

I have a question about this topic as well. I have an all aluminum radiator that I installed after my plastic radiators kept cracking. I also installed a new thermostat straight from the Honda dealer at the same time. Lately Im noticing that coolant seems to be disappearing cause its never full. I dont notice any leaks.

 

If you can't find the leaks then I'd get a tester so you can pressurize the cooling system cold. That way it doesn't evaporate as soon as it leaks, to help you find the leak.

Check the cap? How about the inner & outer seal lip in the radiator neck? Leaks there might cause it to overflow at the reservoir bottle, where you might not be looking for the leak.

 

the cap actually keeps breaking i know that. didnt know what that could cause. the radiator cap keeps breaking though, the little piece on the inside of the cap, what causes that?

 

Not sure I understand what "the little piece on the inside" really is. Take a close look at how that fits into the radiator neck. If the neck on the aluminum radiator isn't a perfect match for what the cap needs, then maybe that radiator needs a different cap? It still has to do the same job with the same 3 seals to control overflow, suck fluid back in during cooldown, and keep the air out.