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Small coolant leak, cold weather?

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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 04:51 PM
  #1  
MysticBlueEX's Avatar
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Default Small coolant leak, cold weather?

I seem to be getting a small coolant leak, I started a couple of months ago, but has not yet leaked enough for me to need to add coolant.
It seems to be directly on or belowthe housing on the cylinder head at the top coolant hose. It seems to have started when the weather got freezing this year. Right now the overnight low is 20 degrees and the high is 40. I commute 44 miles r/t daily on the highway.
15,000 miles ago, they swapped the coolant out at the dealer when they did the timing belt service.
How concerned should I be that this is a start of a head gasket failure?

 
Old Feb 20, 2012 | 05:10 PM
  #2  
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This looks like it could be coming from the hose-clamp connection.

I prefer the spring-clamps myself, because as the rubber hose squishes out, the clamp stays tight. Screw-clamps have to be tightened periodically. Then they can leak worse when they're disturbed.
 
Old Feb 20, 2012 | 05:25 PM
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2 years ago (30k ago, when I got the car) there was a small stain of coolant around the hose clamp I really didn't second guess it at the time I just replaced the clamp with the screw type.
I don't think that when the dealer did the timing belt service, that they did a complete drain and fill. The coolant in the reservoir appears to be a bit dark hazy in color. The dark color in the overflow tank makes me wonder if there is some deterioration or corrosion somewhere.
 
Old Feb 20, 2012 | 07:49 PM
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Originally Posted by MysticBlueEX
A) How concerned should I be that this is a start of a head gasket failure?

B) The coolant in the reservoir appears to be a bit dark hazy in color. The dark color in the overflow tank makes me wonder if there is some deterioration or corrosion somewhere.
A) not at all
B) good - you're on top of it, so have your shop do a full fluid exchange or a radiator fluid flush and have them solve the small leak at same time.
you can do it yourself, too, of course
 
Old Feb 20, 2012 | 09:06 PM
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Uhoh I hope you are correct.
Actually, the Honda Dealer I go to has added a new maintenance repair shop that is in addition to the official "Honda" service center.
I think I can spin by there this week and get their opinion, and if I need parts, the Honda parts center is right next store,
Thanks for your help.
 
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