97 Integra GSR Coolant problems

[GQ Chris]

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum. I own a 1997 Acura Integra GSR; yesterday I noticed the coolant level was near empty and I refilled it to the max line. After driving a few hours later, I checked the coolant level again and it was almost empty, so I refilled it again and then parked my car for the evening.

I didn't notice any leaks beneath the car. So I drive my normal commute again this morning and again I notice that the coolant level is almost empty, so I refill it again and then go to work.

Anyone know where this could be leaking? My thermostat reading seems to be fine, every time I've refilled it, the level stays at just a quarter.

Anybody have this problem with their Integra?

[knorwj]

maybe its leaking into a cylinder and being burned? but that seems like alot of coolant to burn and not to notice your car smelling funny or running rough. are you positive there is no puddles anywhere?

well if there is no puddle i would think it would have to be leaking into a cylinder.
does your car have a lack of power lately?, is there a different exhaust smell?
is there any ?white? smoke coming from the exhaust?

let us know if there are any other symptoms other than missing fluid.

[GQ Chris]

I do notice a slight decrese in power. I wasn't sure if it was because I decided to start buying 87 octane fuel though. There are no funny smells, and it is not running rough, and there are no puddles on the ground at all.

[ALEX88]

also you might have a pinhole leak in the radiator, or a bad radiator cap, have the radiator pressure tested, i had the same problem on my '95 civic gsr swap, turned out to be the drain plug o-ring was bad.

[Spectre927]

There is a reason it says 91 octane. Come on man. Stick to 91. Ever heard of Detonation? I had that problem, except there was a leak. It was like $480 for a new radiator and everything... Pep Boys strikes again....

[GQ Chris]

Okay guys, I think I may have solved it. I spoke with my Mechanice yesterday, and I told him I was filling the coolant reserve tank, which explains why it kept draining; he told me to fill the coolant straight into the radiator. That seems to have done the trick, as I was driving home yesterday, it seems that I noticed the car had more pep than usual, and the thermostat stayed at a very small quarter, and dropped even further when I would drive downhill on the freeway.

So I guess my car was just really thirsty for coolant?

Still, I am taking it to get tuned up/replace spark plugs, and have the radiator and everything else checked just in case.

I have learned a valuable lesson; check your fluid levels! This is something I haven't done often enough because the car was fairly new. Now that its alot older, I will check more frequently.

[GQ Chris]

I need that tune up done quick because I am getting a new job in Outside Sales for Valley Yellow Pages, so I will be driving many miles daily.

This seems to be the only downside of the job. I'll probably look into getting a used CRX that's in excellent condition, that way it will become my new workhorse.

[Spectre927]

And are you gonna start putting in 91? or was that just once or twice. Anyways, CRX would be perfect for that. Maybe later on, you'll fix up the CRX...

[GQ Chris]

Is it really necessary for me to buy 91 for the GSR? I mean these days, I am really strapped for cash so I don't really want to buy the more expensive gas unless it makes that much of a significant difference; and am I doing harm to my GSR by putting in 87 octane?

[knorwj]

Originally Posted by GQ Chris

Is it really necessary for me to buy 91 for the GSR? I mean these days, I am really strapped for cash so I don't really want to buy the more expensive gas unless it makes that much of a significant difference; and am I doing harm to my GSR by putting in 87 octane?

D E T O N A T I O N



did I spell that right

[GQ Chris]

Okay, is detonation a significant risk I take by putting in 87? I mean I have a stock engine; I am not on Turbo or anything else...

[knorwj]

i think it is more of a "it could happen so lets advise against it" type of thing. I run 87 in my gs-r when i'm short on cash, it runs like shit, and really lacks power but other than that i haven't had any problems. I usually don't do it more than 2 tanks in a row though then i go back to premium.

[ub4me]

Originally Posted by GQ Chris

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum. I own a 1997 Acura Integra GSR; yesterday I noticed the coolant level was near empty and I refilled it to the max line. After driving a few hours later, I checked the coolant level again and it was almost empty, so I refilled it again and then parked my car for the evening.

I didn't notice any leaks beneath the car. So I drive my normal commute again this morning and again I notice that the coolant level is almost empty, so I refill it again and then go to work.

Anyone know where this could be leaking? My thermostat reading seems to be fine, every time I've refilled it, the level stays at just a quarter.

Anybody have this problem with their Integra?

That's the exact problem that I had last summer.
I brought my car (94 RS) to a local mechanic. And he said, "This is a typical problem of Honda cars. Honda cars have a weak radiator."
So he replaced it, and the problem had gone.
I asked to my friend who has a Accord 91 regarding this problem, and he said he replaced it already several years ago. So I think this is a weakness of Honda cars.

[Spectre927]

Originally Posted by GQ Chris

Okay, is detonation a significant risk I take by putting in 87? I mean I have a stock engine; I am not on Turbo or anything else...

Yeah, just do a preventative maintenance kind of thing. I thought it was close to time to have my Timing Belt changed. Sure, Im strapped for cash too, but whats $450 for a complete change versus a brand new Engnine, or engine rebuild PLUS the $450 for a new timing belt and having it changed anyways. PLay it safe, this is your car. If every mile you drive costs you under a penny to have the 91 instead, its not that bad.

[Integra4200]

seems like every day theres another person asking this question about 87-91 octane gas. i say go with 91 it gives you better gas milage too.