coolant reservoir question? - Honda Prelude Forum

RedRacerSI · 08-10-2002, 05:58 PM

What does it mean when your over flow reservoir is constantly full to the top? When i first got the car it was right at the max level so i thought it was fine as long as it says at the level.
But now it is passed it and is about to the top of the bottle.

So my question is what does that mean and how do i solve this. Is that a sign it is about to overheat, need a new theremostate or what?

RedRacerSI · 08-10-2002, 06:16 PM

any help i am right in the middle of this project.

Zimmlude · 08-10-2002, 06:23 PM

Hey,

That reservoir is meant to hold the excess coolant when it gets hot and expands. The radiator cap control how much is allowed to ecaspe into the bottle. If the level is at max when the car is cold it is expected to fill up more when it get up to temp. If the bootlejst gets full and keeps filling it means that the radiator cap may be bad. This could ead to overheating issues bacause too much coolant is allowed to exit the system. Try replacing the cap (when the car is cold) and topping off the coolant in the radiator. Then fill the reservoir to the min line and put the cap back on. Then drive the car until it gets back up to temp and check the bootle, it should be around max.

hope this helps

RedRacerSI · 08-10-2002, 06:26 PM

thanks

brendon2k · 08-10-2002, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zimmlude

fill the reservoir to the min

Service Manual suggests half full. Also you can test you cap for the pressure it gives out but I think you need the correct tool. If I where you I would just go and get a spoon radiator cap.

RedRacerSI · 08-10-2002, 07:06 PM

Hey i am also missing the little straw like piece that pulls back the liquid to the radiotor. It goes in the reservoir when the cap is closed. So if liquid goes in the resovoir i dont have the straw hose to pull it back in the radiator. So all liquid goes in and stays in until the reservoir is full to the top!

Could that be my main problem or is it still the radiator cap to look out for.

Surfin_silver · 08-11-2002, 06:05 PM

Definitely your problem! replace the missing internal hose,
make sure coolant in the radiator is full and the reservoir to the max line its about half way (as said brendon2k) if it still fills to the top and doesnt go back to the radiator then I totally agree with Zimmlude...its the radiator cap.

RedRacerSI · 08-11-2002, 07:04 PM

Thanks
I work at autozone and i just picked up a rubber hose and put it in then i will do what you said and see how it goes. I think that could be the solution.