Have a 2001 Accord Ex-V6. 165,000 km's on it.

Had an EGR valve cleaned recently (common problem for V6's, and older TL's)

Took the car to change the oil (as usual, 3 months or 5 km's). The mechanic noticed a coolant leak.

Photo of the actual engine for reference (not mine)

http://images.turbomagazine.com/tech/0206tur_02z+2001_honda_accord_v6+engine_view.jpg

2 photo's of the leak - sorry, blurry since I only have a camera phone on me at the moment (can take more detailed/better quality shots once I'm back home).

Wondering if any of the pro's can give me a heads up on what _could_ be the problem. I'll be going to my mechanic in 2 weeks to take a look at the problem in detail. In the meanwhile I'll just top-up the fluid level in the reserve and rad

http://i494.photobucket.com/albums/rr308/superstring_001/24-11-08_1225.jpg
http://i494.photobucket.com/albums/rr308/superstring_001/24-11-08_1224.jpg

Thank you!

-Roman

Have a 2001 Accord Ex-V6. 165,000 km's on it.

Had an EGR valve cleaned recently (common problem for V6's, and older TL's)

Took the car to change the oil (as usual, 3 months or 5 km's). The mechanic noticed a coolant leak.

Photo of the actual engine for reference (not mine)

http://images.turbomagazine.com/tech/0206tur_02z+2001_honda_accord_v6+engine_view.jpg

2 photo's of the leak - sorry, blurry since I only have a camera phone on me at the moment (can take more detailed/better quality shots once I'm back home).

Wondering if any of the pro's can give me a heads up on what _could_ be the problem. I'll be going to my mechanic in 2 weeks to take a look at the problem in detail. In the meanwhile I'll just top-up the fluid level in the reserve and rad

http://i494.photobucket.com/albums/rr308/superstring_001/24-11-08_1225.jpg
http://i494.photobucket.com/albums/rr308/superstring_001/24-11-08_1224.jpg

Thank you!

-Roman

Looks like coolant crossover gaskets leaking. What kind of coolant is in that car? I've never seen a J30 leak from those gaskets. If you've been running conventional (store bought) green garbage, then it's not a surprise the steel gaskets have rusted out and are dumping that horrible looking gunk.

Be ready to have head gasket issues very soon.

Looks like coolant crossover gaskets leaking. What kind of coolant is in that car? I've never seen a J30 leak from those gaskets. If you've been running conventional (store bought) green garbage, then it's not a surprise the steel gaskets have rusted out and are dumping that horrible looking gunk.

Be ready to have head gasket issues very soon.

Do you consider prestone Green garbage?

I have it in my 96 Accord, as that was all I could get when I needed to replace my radiator. I was planning on changing it after 30k miles.

Do you consider prestone Green garbage?

I have it in my 96 Accord, as that was all I could get when I needed to replace my radiator. I was planning on changing it after 30k miles.

Some would consider the Prestone garbage. Back in the day it would cause premature failure on the water pump. I personally wouldn't put anything in except OEM antifreeze since it is only a few dollars more. What is a few bucks now than having these types of issues caused by it down the road?

Do you consider prestone Green garbage?

I have it in my 96 Accord, as that was all I could get when I needed to replace my radiator. I was planning on changing it after 30k miles.

As long as you change it extremely often (no more than 1 year) and understand that it's not made for use with die-castings, (Honda blocks) and the water pump seals weren't designed for use with silicated or phosphate loaded coolants. That's the worst part of generic green stuff when it's used in these cars.

It's made to precipitate out and stick to aluminum. It's the whitish/gray coating seen on dried aluminum parts exposed to it. That's the way regular green coolant "protects" aluminum. The only problem with it, is that the finer texture of the die-casting seems to accelerate this process leading to the stuff falling out of solution, causing clogged rads and ground up water pump seals.

There used to be "import" only coolants that you could buy in the stores, but that went away in favor of "universal" coolants. Of which there really is no such thing.

In the pics the OP put up, that brown rust is really hard to get in a late model Honda, there's so little actual steel parts exposed to the coolant, he's in for a huge issue soon. The only parts that can really rust are: water pump impeller, the water pipe that feeds the back of the water pump, head gaskets (steel multi layer) and the coolant crossover gaskets. With that much rust showing externally, I can just imagine how bad the inside must look.

Fascinating...I had no idea of the Prestone "Junk" issues and difference in coolant performance for imports. I've never needed to add it but it's interesting to learn of it.

Just had my top radiator hose replaced...need to call and make sure OEM coolant was put in!

Fascinating...I had no idea of the Prestone "Junk" issues and difference in coolant performance for imports. I've never needed to add it but it's interesting to learn of it.

Just had my top radiator hose replaced...need to call and make sure OEM coolant was put in!

If honda did it, that's all they use.:yes:

And shame on you! It's an easy at home job. Took me no more than 20 minutes.;)

If honda did it, that's all they use.:yes:

And shame on you! It's an easy at home job. Took me no more than 20 minutes.;)

Dealer didn't do it...still don't believe the dealers always provide the best options. Local shop down the street that has served me well on simple to modest stuff did the work. Only use OEM parts but will need to check on the coolant.
(I know they're smart because their company tranposrt car is an Element and their two senior mechanics drive Pilots!)

If I would have noted the leak was a little pinhole on the bottom of that hose, I would have quickly switched it out. But, it came up as a puddle under the car as I was pulling out of the driveway on a Monday morning, about to hand over the keys to my wife to take it to the airport, while I was about to leave on my commute. So...off to the shop it went for want of more time to discover the prob.

I won't claim to be a master time manager but no fair claiming "shame" until you have to handle the young family thing...not to assume you don't have your own time management concerns of your own of course. :thmsup: We all do!