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Natalya · 02-24-2019, 04:49 PM

Working on a 98 Acura CL, owner reported she had the radiator replace last summer after it cracked. Car has about 130K

I inspected the car today, saw the coolant reservoir was below minimum AND the stuff in there was a murky brown colour. I'm assuming distilled water with dirt in it IDK, or maybe the original coolant was blue and it combined with some generic orange crap whoever did her radiator job poured in it which turned it brown.

As for the leak, I noticed a crudy, very thin liquid residue around the water pump pulley. I first suspected head gasket oil leak but on closer inspection I don't think it was oil, I think it was water.

I did not notice any obvious leaks under the car.

I recommended owner should immediately get some distilled water and pour it in there and told her I'd ask for help online about it.

- Obv needs a coolant flush
- Should we just do the water pump out of caution?
- Anything else I should look at up there?
- If radiator job people mixed coolant types is the new rad suspect too?

02-24-2019, 04:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Natalya Engine-Off-Coast Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Atlanta Posts: 564 Red 2000 Insight (2017 through 2019) - '00 Honda Insight 5MT 90 day: 64.72 mpg (US) Red 2000 Lithium Insight (2020) - '00 Honda Insight LTO 90 day: 71.76 mpg (US) Thanks: 224 Thanked 309 Times in 177 Posts	Water Pump Leak? 1998 Acura CL Working on a 98 Acura CL, owner reported she had the radiator replace last summer after it cracked. Car has about 130K I inspected the car today, saw the coolant reservoir was below minimum AND the stuff in there was a murky brown colour. I'm assuming distilled water with dirt in it IDK, or maybe the original coolant was blue and it combined with some generic orange crap whoever did her radiator job poured in it which turned it brown. As for the leak, I noticed a crudy, very thin liquid residue around the water pump pulley. I first suspected head gasket oil leak but on closer inspection I don't think it was oil, I think it was water. I did not notice any obvious leaks under the car. I recommended owner should immediately get some distilled water and pour it in there and told her I'd ask for help online about it. - Obv needs a coolant flush - Should we just do the water pump out of caution? - Anything else I should look at up there? - If radiator job people mixed coolant types is the new rad suspect too? __________________ Red 2000 Insight (2017 through 2019) Black 2010 Insight (Sold) Silver 2001 Insight (Sold)