Radiator

[chichichibo]

Hi all,
i just bought the car from the dealership, and it has been 2 weeks since i bought it....
today, i checked the radiator reservior (i found that the engine bay is really so small, so hard to get the reservior out), the coolant is BELOW the min line....and i open the radiator cap....it's just half full...
i have a few technical questions...
1) the car was serviced at 60k, and it's only 63k now, is it quite abnormal for the coolant reservior having coolant less than min line?
2) do u think there is a leak of coolant? if so, how can i check it?
3) is the coolant inside the radiator should have at least half when i open the cap? (my fds said there should be nearly full usually......)
4) last one, if i am buying the coolant, is it better to go for the genuine honda coolant or those on the market are better (my fds said some of those from the market are better than the so called genuine honda one.......so, i am think if i need to buy those 'genuine honda fluid' for my FD2 such as brake fluid, engine oil, coolant....
Thanks a lot...i am so worried about if i do anything wrong that will harm my car..... :(

P.S. i know i have warranty from the dealer, but i would still want to know the knowledge regarding these in case i encounter the same matter in the future where the warranty expires......AND i am afraid the dealer will only fill in those cheap cheap coolant/fluid to my FD2......)

Thanks thanks thanks

[JohnO]

I don't know much about an fd but when you do take the radiator cap off the fluid should be visible and close to full. If it isn't green but brown or anything but a lime green should change it. Aftermarket coolant is good aswell as the oem it may be superior due to constant research and development. But as for other fluids like brake gearbox engine oil should use oem unless youre likely to track or just more peformance then use aftermarket like motul,elf, royal purple lots of brands out there

[curtis265]

just put some distiled water in it

[chichichibo]

just put some distiled water in it

I saw the user manual saying that, can only add Honda all season antifreeze/ type 2 coolant coolant only! Never add plain water or antifreeze directly.

And I check wikipedia that the coolant must be fixed to a certain portion in order to be pour into the reservoir as pure water will lead to corrosion as well as damaging the cooling system.

[chichichibo]

I don't know much about an fd but when you do take the radiator cap off the fluid should be visible and close to full. If it isn't green but brown or anything but a lime green should change it. Aftermarket coolant is good aswell as the oem it may be superior due to constant research and development. But as for other fluids like brake gearbox engine oil should use oem unless youre likely to track or just more peformance then use aftermarket like motul,elf, royal purple lots of brands out there

Thx!
But I am thinking if there is any way for me to check if there is a leak over the coolant, does anyone know how can I know it?
P.S. When I open air con, there are frequent water drop on the ground, tht's quite a lot, does anyone know if that's normal? Will that be coolant? Or anything that serious?
Thanks a lot

[dc2r-0636]

I saw the user manual saying that, can only add Honda all season antifreeze/ type 2 coolant coolant only! Never add plain water or antifreeze directly.

And I check wikipedia that the coolant must be fixed to a certain portion in order to be pour into the reservoir as pure water will lead to corrosion as well as damaging the cooling system.

distilled water is different to normal water because the minerals in it change.

fill it up with distilled water and then park it in a garage over night and then look under the car to see if it is leaking.

[chichichibo]

distilled water is different to normal water because the minerals in it change.

fill it up with distilled water and then park it in a garage over night and then look under the car to see if it is leaking.

So, should the radiator be full or nearly full when I open the radiator cap? Coz mine one got only half.....is it abnormal?

[JohnO]

After using air con there will be water leaking it's fine. Just check the surface of the ground for liquid as mentioned above. Technically coolant should be full or close to full when you take the cap off. Coolant is always mixed with distiller water I think it's 1:2 of coolant to water? Not sure but it's mixed.

[chichichibo]

After using air con there will be water leaking it's fine. Just check the surface of the ground for liquid as mentioned above. Technically coolant should be full or close to full when you take the cap off. Coolant is always mixed with distiller water I think it's 1:2 of coolant to water? Not sure but it's mixed.

So, does it mean there is a problem over the cooling system if the coolant is not even nearly fully after taking the radiator cap off? Probably leakage or coolant pump or whatsoever problem over the cooling system?

For the coolant, I am going to get it from Honda. :)

[JohnO]

well only problem you'll get is overheating? due to not enough coolant. make honda do the coolant flush and put in fresh coolant and if it happens to drain quickly then its leaking somewhere, take it back for a new radiator win! :)

[dc2r-0636]

look at your radiator for any obvious dents on it. also check all your hoses go to your radiator, might be loose or you might have a slight crack in the hose.

keep an eye on your temperature gauge always wen u drive. if it goes higher then normal then somethings up.

[chichichibo]

well only problem you'll get is overheating? due to not enough coolant. make honda do the coolant flush and put in fresh coolant and if it happens to drain quickly then its leaking somewhere, take it back for a new radiator win! :)

yeah, i am going to bring it in to the dealer tmr, but i bought it off from a dealer that is not Honda, so, i am worrying what type of coolant will they put into my FD2....so, i guess i will go and buy the Honda coolant tmr prior visiting the dealer....in case they help me to refill the coolant, i will pass my Honda coolant to him.....
dont want them putting unknown coolant to my car.... :(

[chichichibo]

look at your radiator for any obvious dents on it. also check all your hoses go to your radiator, might be loose or you might have a slight crack in the hose.

keep an eye on your temperature gauge always wen u drive. if it goes higher then normal then somethings up.

Prior i bought the car, i have a mechanic check for me, and he said the car is ok, and in the report, he 'tick' the radiator condition (which means OK)....
but so far, what i see is that the radiator is ok, just some insects sticking on it...haha.....
so, if there is dents on the radiator, i can request the dealer to replace a new one for me???

[JohnO]

well if theres a hole in it, rusted or just the hoses split then they should replace it for you under warranty

[dc2r-0636]

nulon have a product that stops leaks in radiators, if leaking is your case. just wondering has any coolant been lost since u last checked ?? might only leak when car is on running temperature. could also be something small like you need a new radiator cap.

[chichichibo]

nulon have a product that stops leaks in radiators, if leaking is your case. just wondering has any coolant been lost since u last checked ?? might only leak when car is on running temperature. could also be something small like you need a new radiator cap.

hmm...i am going to the dealership tmr, will see if the mechanic there can find out the reason for me or not....
and will go Honda to buy the coolant tmr, so, i can fill it up by myself.

[chichichibo]

nulon have a product that stops leaks in radiators, if leaking is your case. just wondering has any coolant been lost since u last checked ?? might only leak when car is on running temperature. could also be something small like you need a new radiator cap.

and this is my first time ic hecked the coolant level since i bought it 2 weeks ago.....but i assumed the coolant level to be filled up to MAX level at its 60k service (it's now 63K only...so, if they fill the coolant during the service....it's abnormal to lose so much coolant within 3000k drive......also, the coolant in the radiator is only half after taking off the cap....so weird.....)