gqstatus05

About 4-5 months ago I let my friend use my car for a week (1996 Accord LX 4CYL) and he told me the car stalled out on him at a stop light when it overheated. I figured it was because he's fat and his girl is as well since when I got the car back I couldn't replicate the issue at all. The car drove fine from that time until 4 days ago. I started smelling coolant and looked at the temp gauge and needle was all the way to the HOT mark.

I got home, parked it, and the next day I took apart the airbox and other hoses. I found a leaking hose and went to Honda to buy a new one and get an OEM thermostat while I was at it (I already have a new OEM water pump, OEM timing belt, OEM seals, OEM serpentine belt).

I checked all my fluid levels and topped off the coolant as well as the overflow tank. I drove the car around the block to test three times and the car overheated again. This time there was no leaking coolant. I don't want to waste my time replacing the water pump, belts, etc if it turns out to be a bad HG. The car has served me well for 8 years and this has been the only major issue I've had in all that time. The car has 260XXX miles.

What would you guys recommend? I'm proficient now in working on cars (after owning and maintaining my 300ZX). Due to the mileage, body issues, rust would you guys recommend me buy another Accord or just fix the issue. I never changed a HG before but I do have a Haynes Manual so I'll give it a look and buy the OEM gasket. Anything I should look out for? Anything I should replace WHILE I"M THERE?

Thanks in advance guys. I haven't posted here in a while since I'm always on the 300ZX forums. This was my DD and if I can't get this to work I always have my Altima as well. My next steps are to completely drained the fluid, fill with water fun car, drain and refill with coolant. If that doesn't work then I'll see about buying that HG leak detector unless you guys know of another way to detect it. I heard about turning the heat all the way up when the car is running but I'm not sure on the correct procedure.

v4lu3s

did you "burp" the system when you re-filled the coolant?
have you checked to see if exhaust is being pushed into the cooling system?

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

If you haven't properly bled the system it could be the issue....

gqstatus05

Thank guys. Hey MuffinMan & v4lu3s it's been a while. I will burp the system then.

To burp the system I'll just need to remove the rad cap and turn the car on and let the bubbles come out right?

v4lu3s

if i recall correctly there should be a bleed screw/valve on the thermostat housing, i usually open that and keep filling while the engine is running until no bubbles come out of the bleeder.

gqstatus05

Okay. I have to find where that thermostat housing is. I should probably remove the thermostat and test it in hot water to see if it works properly. If that fixes my issue then I will do the whole maintenance on the car.

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't just call it 'burping' you need to fully bleed that sucker.

The process is online somewhere - IIRC it had you blasting the heat and waiting for the fans to cycle on/off three times. I'll see if I can find the procedure.

gqstatus05

Thanks Muffin. If you find it I will give you my first daughter!

doctorbee

http://www.wikipediads.org/bleeding.pdf

can you ship your daughter fedex?

gqstatus05

Thanks for that link. I emailed it to myself so I will do this tomorrow or early this week. Lol @ daughter.

bryse68

seems like the head gasket or head is warped. have the cylinder head checked.

gqstatus05

Ok. I followed the instructions on that PDF and burped the system. I didn't get a consistent trickle but it would occasionally spit. I let the car run for 20 minutes while it was spitting and shut the valve once it came out fluidly. I test drove it around the block about 4 times (everytime going a bit further) with the heat set on 4 then 3, and then 1. The temp gauge was a tiny bit higher than the 1/4 mark.

While the car was running not one fan turned on and after having the car running for 30 minutes and shutting it off none of the fans turned on even when I turned the AC on (my AC has never worked but I figured maybe it would kick in the fan). That issue could be related to a fan relay or switch right?

gqstatus05

Update:

I drove the car to work and back today (about 20 miles) and all is good now. I didn't lose faith in the gold old Accord. Now I will do the water pump, belts, and change out all the hoses in the bay.

Thanks for the help everyone.