On Fri, 18 Feb 2005 18:12:31 -0800, jason@nospam.com (Jason) wrote:

>In article <396a5984.0502180204.46c92ac2@posting.google.com >,
>Lappcatt@aol.com (IBen Getiner) wrote:
>
>> jason@nospam.com (Jason) wrote in message
>news:<jason-1702051705260001@pm1-broad-86.snlo.dialup.fix.net>...
>> > In article <396a5984.0502162034.3ba1fe40@posting.google.com >,
>> > Lappcatt@aol.com (IBen Getiner) wrote:
>> >
>> > > I have a 1985 Honda Accord. It seems to be using small amounts of
>> > > radiator fluid and I can't find out why. It did overheat a few months
>> > > ago, but not all the way. No water is in the oil or anything. It uses
>> > > about a cup a week. If it were a cracked head gasket, wouldn't it be
>> > > getting worse by now? Wouldn't it be performing poorly? It seems to
>> > > run great. Any help would be greatly appreciated...
>> >

>Mike had some great suggestions. In some cases, the head gasket has a very
>small crack and in those cases--you won't see any major signs that you
>have a cracked head gasket.

A small leak of coolant into the combustion chamber can easily go
unnoticed. The combustion process itself will produce a few liters of
water per trip. The cup of coolant would not make much difference.

I think you can still get Bars Leak. I have used it for years and
never had any negative consequences. It scours the cooling system,
lubricates the water pump, and seals small leaks. It is worth a try.
There are other cooling system leak products, but Bars Leak is the
only one that works (in my opinion).

Elliot Richmond
Freelance Science Writer and Editor

 

On Fri, 18 Feb 2005 18:12:31 -0800, jason@nospam.com (Jason) wrote:

>In article <396a5984.0502180204.46c92ac2@posting.google.com >,
>Lappcatt@aol.com (IBen Getiner) wrote:
>
>> jason@nospam.com (Jason) wrote in message
>news:<jason-1702051705260001@pm1-broad-86.snlo.dialup.fix.net>...
>> > In article <396a5984.0502162034.3ba1fe40@posting.google.com >,
>> > Lappcatt@aol.com (IBen Getiner) wrote:
>> >
>> > > I have a 1985 Honda Accord. It seems to be using small amounts of
>> > > radiator fluid and I can't find out why. It did overheat a few months
>> > > ago, but not all the way. No water is in the oil or anything. It uses
>> > > about a cup a week. If it were a cracked head gasket, wouldn't it be
>> > > getting worse by now? Wouldn't it be performing poorly? It seems to
>> > > run great. Any help would be greatly appreciated...
>> >

>Mike had some great suggestions. In some cases, the head gasket has a very
>small crack and in those cases--you won't see any major signs that you
>have a cracked head gasket.

A small leak of coolant into the combustion chamber can easily go
unnoticed. The combustion process itself will produce a few liters of
water per trip. The cup of coolant would not make much difference.

I think you can still get Bars Leak. I have used it for years and
never had any negative consequences. It scours the cooling system,
lubricates the water pump, and seals small leaks. It is worth a try.
There are other cooling system leak products, but Bars Leak is the
only one that works (in my opinion).

Elliot Richmond
Freelance Science Writer and Editor

 

"Elliot Richmond" <xmrichmond@xaustin.xrr.xcom> wrote in message
news:51fd11tkhd0hktbpf3af4cru57jnl1k2ic@4ax.com...
> A small leak of coolant into the combustion chamber can easily go
> unnoticed. The combustion process itself will produce a few liters of
> water per trip. The cup of coolant would not make much difference.
>
> I think you can still get Bars Leak. I have used it for years and
> never had any negative consequences. It scours the cooling system,
> lubricates the water pump, and seals small leaks. It is worth a try.
> There are other cooling system leak products, but Bars Leak is the
> only one that works (in my opinion).
>
> Elliot Richmond
> Freelance Science Writer and Editor

I haven't used Bars Leak. I have used other products and know they make a
huge mess inside the cooling system, so don't use those! I can't believe I
used the one that said it contained cellulose - it looked like I dissolved a
newspaper in the radiator. I had to repair the heater core and we were to go
to Phoenix the next day to fly to Canada. I got too desperate. What a mess!
What a fool!

Mike

 

"Elliot Richmond" <xmrichmond@xaustin.xrr.xcom> wrote in message
news:51fd11tkhd0hktbpf3af4cru57jnl1k2ic@4ax.com...
> A small leak of coolant into the combustion chamber can easily go
> unnoticed. The combustion process itself will produce a few liters of
> water per trip. The cup of coolant would not make much difference.
>
> I think you can still get Bars Leak. I have used it for years and
> never had any negative consequences. It scours the cooling system,
> lubricates the water pump, and seals small leaks. It is worth a try.
> There are other cooling system leak products, but Bars Leak is the
> only one that works (in my opinion).
>
> Elliot Richmond
> Freelance Science Writer and Editor

I haven't used Bars Leak. I have used other products and know they make a
huge mess inside the cooling system, so don't use those! I can't believe I
used the one that said it contained cellulose - it looked like I dissolved a
newspaper in the radiator. I had to repair the heater core and we were to go
to Phoenix the next day to fly to Canada. I got too desperate. What a mess!
What a fool!

Mike