Help? My 1997 Accord has been overheating. I checked and found the radiator and overflow bone dry. After refilling both with the correct mixture and working out air, etc., the car ran perfect for 120 miles. 1 day later, the same symptom happened again. I didn't notice and fluids on the ground... the car hasn't been smoking or anything.

After doing some research, I am cautious about a Head Gasket replacement, but need to have that checked.

Could a thermostat stick closed in such a way that the entire system would empty itself of all fluid? Seems like this can't be possible.

The car just turned 120k miles. I bought it new at the end of 1996. I live in the Washington, DC area. Anyone know what a head gasket replacement on an 97 Accord runs?

 

If your loosing that much coolant, and the engine doesn't run rough, have steam coming from the exhaust and you don't find the crankcase overfilled with something the consistancy of a really bad smoothy then you don't have a blown head gasket.
Don't waste money on coolant yet, fill the radiator with water and have it pressure tested. It could be anything (hose, radiator etc) so don't assume anything.
But if it adds to the conversation, I had to replace my radiator ('97 accord) at the 6 year 91,000 mile mark. It's not so uncommon as you'd think.
A waterpump should not be discounted either. Unlike everything else in the cooling system, waterpumps usually leak not while driving but rether after everythings shut off and cold.

Get ye a Pressure Test

P

 

I agree.......cooling system pressure test is the way to go. That's a lot of coolant, disappearing awful quickly that's for sure.

The thing is though, even if it's the water pump.......a dead water pump wouldn't evacuate all that coolant that quickly. I've seen it take a couple of weeks to leak everything out of a failed water pump.

Let us know what the outcome is.....I'm curious now.

 

i agree with the guys first thing to do is pressure test system make sure radiator is full before u do pressure test ,, if no leaks, test radiator cap, make sure t-stat opens on time, make sure both fans work ,,and if u can raise car up and look at water pump area for any sign of coolant leak