Posted 3/22/07 about 97 Honda Civic 70K losing coolant (see below). Only 1 reply about possible head gasket. Mechanics said found no leaks, no evidence of anything yet, didn't think there was an issue, added something to ensure seal, filled coolant to max again.

Note: Since then I've driven 200 miles and coolant is 1/2 inch below max level. Is driving car putting car (engine/transmission/etc) in further danger. Would recommend going to another mechanic or back to original? Thanks.

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3/22/07 Post: Sept 06 I had a lot of maintenance done (tune up, timing belt, water pump, vc gask, cam seal, crank seal, drive belts, cooling system). In Jan. I had to add coolant - approx 2 cups. Now in March it's losing coolant regularly and seems more after car is driven. In otherwords, if car is not used and just sitting the coolant seems OK. Scheduled appointment next week. I've tried to read about possible reasons in preparation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by needhelp1234

posted 3/22/07 about 97 Honda Civic 70K losing coolant (see below). Only 1 reply about possible head gasket. Mechanics said found no leaks, no evidence of anything yet, didn't think there was an issue, added something to ensure seal, filled coolant to max again.

Note: Since then I've driven 200 miles and coolant is 1/2 inch below max level. Is driving car puting car (engine/transmission/etc) in further danger. Would recommend going to another mechanic or back to original? Thanks.

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3/22/07 Post: Sept 06 I had a lot of maintenance done (tune up, timing belt, water pump, vc gask, cam seal, crank seal, drive belts, cooling system). In Jan. I had to add coolant - approx 2 cups. Now in March it's losing coolant regularly and seems more after car is driven. In otherwords, if car is not used and just sitting the coolant seems ok. Scheduled appointment next week. I've tried to read about possible reasons in preparation.

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Are there any signs of crusted green/blue coolant on the engine? Water pump weep hole? Radiator?

I hope they didn't add stop leak to your cooling system - that stuff is a crappy band-aid and causes its own problems.

Not trying to discount your concern - however, when the waterpump was replaced, the engine coolant would have drained out. Most mechanics don't properly get all of the air out once they refill with coolant.
When this is the case, the coolant will migrate from the reservoir bottle into the cooling system. When your engine heats up, the coolant expands and goes over into the overflow tank. When the engine cools the coolant flows back into the radiator. So after a waterpump replacement and coolant refill, I have seen many times where the reservoir will eventually be empty because the coolant has migrated back to the radiator because the cooling system wasn't properly purged of air.
Having said that, it may be possible that your cooling system was not properly purged of air.
How to get rid of the air in a Honda cooling system?
With a cold engine, remove the radiator cap and fill to the top.
Start the engine (cap off) and run the engine at ~1,500 rpm until it warms up and thermostat opens.
As thermostat opens, vary the engine speed by jacking the throttle in bursts up to 2,000 rpm. Let it idle occasionally.
This will cause air bubbles to move up to the radiator neck.
After the fans come on and then go off, put the radiator cap on and fill reservoir to max.
Then you are done.
It helps to have the vehicle on a slight uphill incline during this.
Also, a company makes a funnel that attaches to the radiator that makes this really easy to do.

After this is completed then you can monitor coolant level in the reservoir and verify that you actually do or don't have a coolant consumption issue.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FixHondas

Are there any signs of crusted green/blue coolant on the engine? Water pump weep hole? Radiator?

I hope they didn't add stop leak to your cooling system - that stuff is a crappy band-aid and causes its own problems.

Not trying to discount your concern - however, when the waterpump was replaced, the engine coolant would have drained out. Most mechanics don't properly get all of the air out once they refill with coolant.
When this is the case, the coolant will migrate from the reservoir bottle into the cooling system. When your engine heats up, the coolant expands and goes over into the overflow tank. When the engine cools the coolant flows back into the radiator. So after a waterpump replacement and coolant refill, I have seen many times where the reservoir will eventually be empty because the coolant has migrated back to the radiator because the cooling system wasn't properly purged of air.
Having said that, it may be possible that your cooling system was not properly purged of air.
How to get rid of the air in a Honda cooling system?
With a cold engine, remove the radiator cap and fill to the top.
Start the engine (cap off) and run the engine at ~1,500 rpm until it warms up and thermostat opens.
As thermostat opens, vary the engine speed by jacking the throttle in bursts up to 2,000 rpm. Let it idle occasionally.
This will cause air bubbles to move up to the radiator neck.
After the fans come on and then go off, put the radiator cap on and fill reservoir to max.
Then you are done.
It helps to have the vehicle on a slight uphill incline during this.
Also, a company makes a funnel that attaches to the radiator that makes this really easy to do.

After this is completed then you can monitor coolant level in the reservoir and verify that you actually do or don't have a coolant consumption issue.

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So what's happens if I still losing the water from cooling system?