VF'N8

Ok so I'm at a stand still. My 1997 jdmH23 swapped Prelude, which was also swapped auto-manual tranny has lots of bubbles in the radiator and will overheat because of this after about 45 minutes of driving. With the AC on it overheats in 15 minutes.

Here's what I've tried so far;

1. Block test w/ blue fluid....didn't change color.

2. Compression test.... All 4 cylinders 190-195

3. Leakdown test.... All 4 cylinders about 10%

4. Radiator Pressure Test.... In 20 hrs. 12psi dropped to 10psi and I cannot hear or see a leak.

5. Through visual inspection....no leaks


WTF ELSE IS THERE??! This is driving me nuts I've done the block test like 10 times and it will not show presence of exhaust in bubbles. Also no oil in coolant or coolant in oil. One other thing to add is I've got that idle surge problem that won't go away and Ive replaced every part of the system.

Please help!

TimiK

bleed the coolant, check temp sensors and thermostat

waterpump and fans working ok?

snobordboy

Yeah, sounds like it just needs a really good bleed. Make sure the heat is on fully, bleed it well from both the bleeder screw and rad cap, and have the overflow full enough that it won't suck in any air when it cools.

Of course one big thing not mentioned... how is the thermostat?

VF'N8

It's pretty difficult to bleed the system cause at about 190 degrees the bubbles are blasting out the filler hole in the radiator. Waterpump is pumping and the thermostat is new and tested on the stove as well as both upper and lower radiator hoses get hot at operating temp. I have 3 electric fans that I run nonstop to try and keep it cool but it's not enough.

VF'N8

Unfortunately I can't bleed the system cause the bubbles are so strong it overflows the radiator even before operating temp. The thermostat is new and been tested

VF'N8

I'm at my wit's end with this thing. In the last year or so since I bought it Ive done an Insanely thurough job of bringing a 20 yr old car up to par and in a condition that is safe to due a turbo build. You name it I've replaced it:

MAP SENSOR
TPS
IAT
2X OXYGEN SENSORS
IAC VALVE
FITV
EGR VALVE
ECT SENSOR
THERMOSTAT
FAN SWITCH
POLY BUSHINGS MASTER SET
2XCV DRIVE AXLES
IRIDIUM SPARK PLUGS
MSD WIRES
CAP AND ROTOR
ALUMINUM RADIATOR
3 ELECTRIC FANS
COOLANT HOSES
FUEL FILTER
ALTERNATOR
STARTER
CLUTCH & LIGHTWEIGHT FLYWHEEL
AC VACUUM & RECHARGE
AC CONDENSER
TRANSMISSION REPLACED W/ USED ONE
FLUID IN TRANNY,ENGINE,BRAKES,POWER STEERING, CLUTCH AND RADIATOR
CLUTCH LINE (STEEL BRAIDED)
CLUTCH SLAVE & MASTER CYLINDER
KNOCK SENSOR
OIL PRESSURE SENSOR
POWER STEERING PRESSURE SENDER
4 WHEEL BEARINGS
OPTIMA BATTERY
INTAKE MANIFOLD & THROTTLE BODY THERMAL GASKETS
DRIVE & ACCESSORY BELTS
BRAKE PADS & ROTORS
HEAD BACK EXHAUST & HIGH FLOW CAT

THIS THING SHOULD BE PERFECT YET IT STILL DOES THE IDLE SURGE MOST OF THE TIME AND THERE ARE TONS OF SMALL BUBBLES IN THE RADIATOR, YET EVERY TEST I KNOW OF HAS BEEN PERFORMED MULTIPLE TIMES AND THERE ARE NO OTHER SIGNS OF LEAKING HEAD GASKET, OR AIR ENTERING THE SYSTEM. IM DETERMINED TO BEAT THIS ONE WITHOUT TAKING IT TO A SHOP, I DOUBT THEYD FIGURE IT OUT ANYWAYS. THERES FAR MORE KNOWLEGDE ON THIS FORUM!!