Your Acura Integra's cooling system works to keep the car from overheating. However, if there are leaks in the system, the engine can malfunction causing serious damage. That's why you should be vigilant in checking for cooling system leaks. These leaks may be simple to spot or they may require special measures to determine the cause. Either way, periodic examination of the cooling system is an excellent preventative maintenance measure.
Instructions
- 1
Open the hood and securely prop it up. Find the water pump on the Acura Integra and check the shaft seal for any cooling system leaks. The water pump is on the front of the engine, in behind the radiator and the shaft seal connects the two. If there's a leak, you'll see either fresh coolant leakage or discoloration from older leaks.
2Use a flashlight to check the radiator for any possible leaks. Be sure to inspect the radiator from every possible angle to verify any leaking. Pay special attention to the radiator seals and the radiator core.
3Inspect all the hoses that connect the engine with the radiator and heater core. Because these hoses are rubber, they're extremely susceptible to leakage. Look for any cracks, splits or signs of excessive wear.
4Remove the radiator cap and add more coolant to the radiator until it's about to overflow. Then, close the hood and with the heating system on high, take the Acura Integra out for a 15-minute drive. Once you return, pop the hood and touch the radiator. If it's warm, wait for it to cool down.
5Take off the radiator cap once again and verify the coolant level. If it dropped, you may have a coolant leak. Some leaks are internal and periodic coolant level checks are the only way to determine if this may be the problem.
