2004 Honda Accord ·
Cooling System Refresh & Battery Corrosion Cleanup
A cracked upper radiator hose was leaking coolant onto the engine and the battery terminals were buried in corrosion. A full cooling refresh and cleanup kept this high-miler on the road.
BeforeAfter
What the customer noticed
The temperature gauge was creeping above normal in traffic, there was a sweet smell after driving, and the car had been slow to start on cool mornings.
What I found
A pressure test showed coolant weeping from a split in the upper radiator hose — the rubber had gone hard and cracked right at the bend. The lower hose was soft and swollen, and the coolant itself was rusty and past due.
The slow starts were coming from the battery terminals. Heavy blue-green corrosion was choking the connection, even though the battery itself tested fine.
The repair
- Replaced the upper and lower radiator hoses and clamps
- Installed a new OEM-spec thermostat and gasket
- Flushed the cooling system and refilled with the correct Honda-type coolant, then bled the air out
- Cleaned the battery terminals and cables, replaced the corroded clamp, and sealed them with protectant
- Degreased the engine bay so any future leak is easy to spot
The result
The temperature holds steady in stop-and-go traffic, it fires right up every morning, and the owner saved the cost of a new battery they didn't need.