I noticed my temp gauge climb as i idled, but when i was moving it stayed normal. when i got home i popped the hood and notice steam and water spraying from the top back of the radiator. The temp gauge was all the way up to the H.

Q: should i change both the radiator and thermostat, or is it possible just the thermostat is bad and the radiator might be fixable or ok?

 

btw, i searched and found several posts with the same problem, but none of the people who originally posted ever came back and said what fixed the problem. I hope its not a hg.

 

If it stays cool while moving but over heats when you are idling, then your radiator fan/switch prob isnt working.

 

Yep, sounds like either a mechanical failure with the fan or the fuse to the fan has blown

 

i cant see any water in the radiator right now, so im gonna flush and fill and check to see if the fans come on. Is it ok if i only fill with distilled water for now, while im just checking things?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by quikrpm'z &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i cant see any water in the radiator right now, so im gonna flush and fill and check to see if the fans come on. Is it ok if i only fill with distilled water for now, while im just checking things?</TD></TR></TABLE>
It's leaking, so you gotta find the leak. If the radiator itself is cracked, that's a few bucks but not real hard to replace. If its a hose coming off, you just gotta deal with whatever you find.

I wouldn't use just water, without the corrosion inhibitors that you get in antifreeze. Unless it's only for maybe a half hour. But just for checking stuff out over a day or 2, you could probably go way down, like 15% or 20% antifreeze.

 

i had the same prob a few months ago.. the temp would climb at idle but once moving the temp would hold okay... i had a crack in the top of my radiator. thats a problem area with G3 tegs. how old is the radiator..has it ever been replaced? i had to replace my at 70,xxx miles but my car is almost 10 years old too. if you are going to have to get a new rad..most def change the thermo as well. its not a hard but will def take a few hours. if you dont have the $ to get a new rad from acura, which i wouldnt suggest because its pricey.. ck out http://www.radiator.com I ordered an OEM replacement for $124 shipped. it works great. im writing all this assuming you have a leak..if you have any q's about it..hit me up
peace

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94ls &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i had the same prob a few months ago.. the temp would climb at idle but once moving the temp would hold okay... i had a crack in the top of my radiator. thats a problem area with G3 tegs. how old is the radiator..has it ever been replaced? i had to replace my at 70,xxx miles but my car is almost 10 years old too. if you are going to have to get a new rad..most def change the thermo as well. its not a hard but will def take a few hours. if you dont have the $ to get a new rad from acura, which i wouldnt suggest because its pricey.. ck out http://www.radiator.com I ordered an OEM replacement for $124 shipped. it works great. im writing all this assuming you have a leak..if you have any q's about it..hit me up
peace</TD></TR></TABLE>

I went ahead and did a flush and added prestone radiator cleaner, i have leaking around the top of the radiator around the crimped edges. I let the car run for about 15-20 minutes. The temp gauge stayed below the middle mark, the two radiator hoses were warm, the fans never kicked in. Should i still change the thermo or just the radiator?

 

i think that you should still try to get the fans going to make sure man.....but thats just my 2 cents

 

if there's leaking..the rad is done for..how is the reservoir tank doing. If it gets empty continuously after you fill it and drive the car then there's a for sure leak. like i said, not uncommon on the G3 tegs. the top plastic part of the rad usually is where the leak occurs. just get a new radiator and most def replace the thermo. thermo's will run you about $20 at your local dealership. like i said before, if ck out radiator.com they have great prices and life time warranty. mine works great. good luck. any more probs or q's..just get at me with em
peace

 

94ls,

thanks for all the feedback. I went ahead and bought a new radiator from performance radiator since they were close to me. Hey are u able to use your stock rad cap with the radiator you got?
Btw, i was gonna IM you, but that feature isnt working for me.

 

hm... yea the top tank to my stock radiator blew up at 78k... i'd blame it on my 1. mugen 1.3 radiator cap.. (not upgrading the thermostat/fanswitch when i did that mod.. may have cost me the radiators life.. ) and 2. too much hard driving(road racin track practice and canyons)..

tried replacing it with a koyo all aluminum (55mm of bling bling) only to find it didnt fit.. unless i took out my a/c or got me some slim fans.. so i opted out for a koyo stock replacement, upgraded thermo/fan switch and was able to keep the mugen rad cap..

 

no prob quik..thats what we're all here for ya know...i used my stock rad cap..works fine..im glad that you were able to find a rad. need anymore helpful hints about install..let me know...after the bs i went through to replace mine..i feel that i know whats up when it comes to a rad install..just get at me if you have any probs..
peace

 

dont forget to replace the thermo

 

Eric, are your fans coming on at all?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 98hx99b18c &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Eric, are your fans coming on at all?</TD></TR></TABLE>
make sure you test the fans before you buy a new fan switch

 

i changed the radiator and the thermostat, drove it around at night and everything seems fine. Tomorrow ill drive during the middle of the day heat just to make sure.

For everyone who sent me an instant message, I didnt ignore you that feature isnt working for me. Thanks for everyones replies.

 

Good to hear everything is back up and running

 

quick way to test it is turn your AC on usuallly on integs both fans will turn on