I have a 1990 Honda Accord (Automatic transmission). The radiator and its accompanying hoses are relatively new (less than two years old).

So I got into my car this morning, started it up and noticed a slight drip from the back of the front wheel well on the driver's side. It looked vaguely like radiator fluid, so I turned off the car and popped the radiator cap.

A little fluid squirted up and onto the radiator and engine. Levels looked fine, so I put the cap on and headed to work. En route, I never noticed any problems, and the temperature gauge never rose to unsavory levels.

35 minutes later, I pulled in and parked, only to notice steam coming from the general vicinity of my radiator. I headed into work and about 45 minutes later, came out to check a few things.

The fluid levels in the radiator and the overflow tank are fine. There is no serious hemorrhaging of fluid under the car. The cap is on securely.

So I guess I'm curious ... any ideas or theories? I'll have rush hour traffic to compete with on my way home, and I'm a little nervous about driving. Could it be the fluid that had spilled on my engine burning off? Will my car explode and die if I try to drive it home?

Thanks for the help.

 

if the coolant was close to the driver's side wheel ,, you might have a leaky water pump,, ... pressure test cooling system to make sure there are no hoses leaking or cracks in the radiator, pressure test rad cap as well..

lol lol .... no your car will not explode or die,,, just keep an eye on the temp gauge if it starts going to the H .. than it is overheating and u should stop driving and have it towed to a shop

 

NEVER remove the radiator cap after turning the car off. The little squirt you got will be big squirt of HOT skeet skeet in your face after the cars been one for a little while and youll burn, literally

 

sorry to jack your thread,but i just wanted to ask about your coolant level in your container. mine seems to stay on max eventhough the car is getting heated. im assuming my t-stat is starting to die down slowly? not allowing any coolant to flow? or perhaps the waterpump?

also can a clogged EGR port/air filter/IAC valve cause a car to get heated?

 

If your weather is cold, like it is around here, you most likely saw steam rising off the hot radiator from the coolant you spilled on it.
The coolant items which could leak on the left side of the engine would be the water pump and several small hoses under the intake manifold.

The only way to be sure is a Coolant System Pressure Test.

P

 

bump. incase someone can address my small Q

 

If what you're questioning is the level in the plastic overflow bottle; you will see no circulation thru it since there's but one hose feeding it.
Normal operation would be indicated by finding the coolant level in the bottle near the bottom range when the engine's cold, and near the top when the engine's hot.

Basically, as the engine heats up; the coolant expands - surging into the overflow tank (that's why they call it that). As the engine cools; the coolant contracts - drawing fluid from the tank back into the radiator.

P

 

but what about my questions about egr ports/air filter/pcv valves/iac valves? can those contribute to the car overheating?

 

Drivability: Yes
Overheating: No

P