overheating del sol
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: glen burnie, md, usa
overheating del sol
My car overheated about a month ago. I was on the highway and the temperature gauge shot up to H. Smoke started comming out from the engine. The air vents blew out cold air.
I got the car home and let it cool down. A day later, I filled it up with antifreeze and it ran fine for a while, the air vents blew warm again...then maybe a week later, the engine started to smoke. The air vents would blow cold...then suddenly get warm again...
The temp gauge was still at its normal place (in the middle of C and H). I opened the hood and saw smoke/steam comming out of the raditor area and the overflow tank. I've checked under the car for leaks as well as the pipes and there isnt any sign of a leak.
It has been cold out (30 degrees F). I am scared to drive it anywhere far :-(.
I am a noob and this problem is bugging the heck out of me.
My overflow tank seems to be empty when the engine is cold, is this normal?
If the overflow is damaged (like a crack at the top), could it cause overheating?
Do you think it could be a raditor leak or something else?
If so, will radiator stop leak fix it?
Any help would be helpful. Thank you in advance.
-Dave
I got the car home and let it cool down. A day later, I filled it up with antifreeze and it ran fine for a while, the air vents blew warm again...then maybe a week later, the engine started to smoke. The air vents would blow cold...then suddenly get warm again...
The temp gauge was still at its normal place (in the middle of C and H). I opened the hood and saw smoke/steam comming out of the raditor area and the overflow tank. I've checked under the car for leaks as well as the pipes and there isnt any sign of a leak.
It has been cold out (30 degrees F). I am scared to drive it anywhere far :-(.
I am a noob and this problem is bugging the heck out of me.
My overflow tank seems to be empty when the engine is cold, is this normal?
If the overflow is damaged (like a crack at the top), could it cause overheating?
Do you think it could be a raditor leak or something else?
If so, will radiator stop leak fix it?
Any help would be helpful. Thank you in advance.
-Dave
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 1
From: San Jose, Ca, USA
Re: overheating del sol (fadedindigo)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fadedindigo »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My car overheated about a month ago. I was on the highway and the temperature gauge shot up to H. Smoke started comming out from the engine. The air vents blew out cold air.
I got the car home and let it cool down. A day later, I filled it up with antifreeze and it ran fine for a while, the air vents blew warm again...then maybe a week later, the engine started to smoke. The air vents would blow cold...then suddenly get warm again...
The temp gauge was still at its normal place (in the middle of C and H). I opened the hood and saw smoke/steam comming out of the raditor area and the overflow tank. I've checked under the car for leaks as well as the pipes and there isnt any sign of a leak.
It has been cold out (30 degrees F). I am scared to drive it anywhere far :-(.
I am a noob and this problem is bugging the heck out of me.
My overflow tank seems to be empty when the engine is cold, is this normal?
If the overflow is damaged (like a crack at the top), could it cause overheating?
Do you think it could be a raditor leak or something else?
If so, will radiator stop leak fix it?
Any help would be helpful. Thank you in advance.
-Dave</TD></TR></TABLE>
Normal, the water temp is pretty acrruate most the time. Normal after you pour coolant in, and you get coolant spills, (even a tiny amount), around the radiator, or on the header, you still get smoke coming up, from the coolant evaporating. The thing that is bothering me is that its smoking (or in my casem evaping) a WEEK after you pour coolant in? That then doesnt make sense.
When your car is cold, open the radiator cap and see if you still have the amount of coolant you put in. Make sure that the coolant is topped off, and bled.
During severe overheating, you may blow a headgasket, if you do, you will be smoking out the tail pipe with white smoke.
I got the car home and let it cool down. A day later, I filled it up with antifreeze and it ran fine for a while, the air vents blew warm again...then maybe a week later, the engine started to smoke. The air vents would blow cold...then suddenly get warm again...
The temp gauge was still at its normal place (in the middle of C and H). I opened the hood and saw smoke/steam comming out of the raditor area and the overflow tank. I've checked under the car for leaks as well as the pipes and there isnt any sign of a leak.
It has been cold out (30 degrees F). I am scared to drive it anywhere far :-(.
I am a noob and this problem is bugging the heck out of me.
My overflow tank seems to be empty when the engine is cold, is this normal?
If the overflow is damaged (like a crack at the top), could it cause overheating?
Do you think it could be a raditor leak or something else?
If so, will radiator stop leak fix it?
Any help would be helpful. Thank you in advance.
-Dave</TD></TR></TABLE>
Normal, the water temp is pretty acrruate most the time. Normal after you pour coolant in, and you get coolant spills, (even a tiny amount), around the radiator, or on the header, you still get smoke coming up, from the coolant evaporating. The thing that is bothering me is that its smoking (or in my casem evaping) a WEEK after you pour coolant in? That then doesnt make sense.
When your car is cold, open the radiator cap and see if you still have the amount of coolant you put in. Make sure that the coolant is topped off, and bled.
During severe overheating, you may blow a headgasket, if you do, you will be smoking out the tail pipe with white smoke.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: glen burnie, md, usa
Hi. Thanks for replying so quickly.
I have spilled some coolant on the radiator. I hope that is why I am getting smoke/vapor. I can smell coolant when Im driving and when I open my hood, I hear sizzling.
When it over heated the first time (well its only overheated once), I bunch of smoke/steam was comming out of the top of the overflow and the radiator. My engine was covered with coolant because of the smoke/steam. Could this be why it is smelling?
I have opened the radiator cap when it is cool and I do not see any coolant in it. How far do I fill it up to? All the way to the top until I see the coolant? I keep filling it, but it never seems to be filled LOL. I've poured in like 75 percent of a bottle once and its still not to the top.
How do I bleed it?
I don't believe I've seen smoke, or excessive smoke comming from the tail pipe.
How long does it usually take before the fan kick in?
Again, thanks for replying and helping me out.
-Dave
I have spilled some coolant on the radiator. I hope that is why I am getting smoke/vapor. I can smell coolant when Im driving and when I open my hood, I hear sizzling.
When it over heated the first time (well its only overheated once), I bunch of smoke/steam was comming out of the top of the overflow and the radiator. My engine was covered with coolant because of the smoke/steam. Could this be why it is smelling?
I have opened the radiator cap when it is cool and I do not see any coolant in it. How far do I fill it up to? All the way to the top until I see the coolant? I keep filling it, but it never seems to be filled LOL. I've poured in like 75 percent of a bottle once and its still not to the top.
How do I bleed it?
I don't believe I've seen smoke, or excessive smoke comming from the tail pipe.
How long does it usually take before the fan kick in?
Again, thanks for replying and helping me out.
-Dave
Re: (fadedindigo)
remove your radiator cap and fill it up with coolant until its at the very top. Put the cap on and then put some in your over-flow coolant resevoir to the maximum line
make sure your mixing your coolant with water unless its already pre-mixed
start your car with your radiator cap off and let it run for like 15 minutes, give it throttle everynow and then and that will burp some bubbles out, then put the cap on and do the same
if it still overheats id make sure the thermastat is working and your fan is working
if your radiator dosnt consume fluid as you run it at idle after about 15 minutes then your thermastat probably isnt opening. you"ll know this because your lower radiator hose will be cold and your upper hose will get hot. The hose will not have any pressure either and feel limp to the sqeeze. If this happens replace the thermastat
btw: if tells you how to flush the coolant on the back of the bottle
with the radiator filled and cap on after idiling for about 15-20 minutes the fan should kick one at least once and the upper/lower hoses should both get warm and be pressurized "hard to sqeeze".
make sure your mixing your coolant with water unless its already pre-mixed
start your car with your radiator cap off and let it run for like 15 minutes, give it throttle everynow and then and that will burp some bubbles out, then put the cap on and do the same
if it still overheats id make sure the thermastat is working and your fan is working
if your radiator dosnt consume fluid as you run it at idle after about 15 minutes then your thermastat probably isnt opening. you"ll know this because your lower radiator hose will be cold and your upper hose will get hot. The hose will not have any pressure either and feel limp to the sqeeze. If this happens replace the thermastat
btw: if tells you how to flush the coolant on the back of the bottle
with the radiator filled and cap on after idiling for about 15-20 minutes the fan should kick one at least once and the upper/lower hoses should both get warm and be pressurized "hard to sqeeze".
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
From: DFW, TX, USA
Re: (digital sol)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by digital sol »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">with the radiator filled and cap on after idiling for about 15-20 minutes the fan should kick one at least once and the upper/lower hoses should both get warm and be pressurized "hard to sqeeze". </TD></TR></TABLE>
start here... if something is different, more than likely your thermostat is going out or has gone out. they do that time to time, a regular maintenance.
it is normal for your overflow to be lower when the motor is cold... cold not warm... when the motor warms up, the coolant expands and goes into the overflow reservoir. once everything cools, the level drops in the radiator, and the system creates a slight vacuum, which then pulls coolant back into the radiator. also, if you bought the car used, or have not replaced the radiator cap, go ahead and replace it. that can cause some overheating.
once you fill the radiator, and burp the system and replace the new cap, dont take it off again. just fill the reservoir. you might have added more coolant when it was still warm, and once it cooled, it took in more coolant from the overflow. so once it warmed up again... you get the steam and looks over overheating.
BTW: if in fact you did actually overheat. change your oil. its toast, no good. the viscosity is no where near as good as it was. lubrication, heat transfer, everything about it is used up.
good luck
start here... if something is different, more than likely your thermostat is going out or has gone out. they do that time to time, a regular maintenance.
it is normal for your overflow to be lower when the motor is cold... cold not warm... when the motor warms up, the coolant expands and goes into the overflow reservoir. once everything cools, the level drops in the radiator, and the system creates a slight vacuum, which then pulls coolant back into the radiator. also, if you bought the car used, or have not replaced the radiator cap, go ahead and replace it. that can cause some overheating.
once you fill the radiator, and burp the system and replace the new cap, dont take it off again. just fill the reservoir. you might have added more coolant when it was still warm, and once it cooled, it took in more coolant from the overflow. so once it warmed up again... you get the steam and looks over overheating.
BTW: if in fact you did actually overheat. change your oil. its toast, no good. the viscosity is no where near as good as it was. lubrication, heat transfer, everything about it is used up.
good luck
Trending Topics
Re: (fadedindigo)
why dont you just fill it until it reaches the top, thats how much it will hold, then it will hold more once your car is ran for a bit and the fluid start cylining throughout the system
i think you'd notice if you were leaking fluid as you pored it into the radiator, doubt a gallon would go un-noticed
i think you'd notice if you were leaking fluid as you pored it into the radiator, doubt a gallon would go un-noticed
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: glen burnie, md, usa
I filled the radiator up with coolant today and also bought a new radiator cap. When I compared the new cap to the old cap....the old cap didnt have these 2 black disks on it. I think coolant may have been evaporating pass the radiator cap. I replaced the overflow bottle too. I filled it up to the line. I started the car and it was fine for a while. The car didn't overheat or anything. I let it idle for about 20 minutes.
However, my fan never kicked in.
I saw some white smoke coming from behind the del sol' distributor.
The top radiator hose was hot, but I wasnt sure where the bottom raditor hose was....I felt around for hoses that was "similar" to the top radiator hose and I find one that felt "warm."
The white smoke bothers me.
Do you think it's just spilled coolant? i did spill a lot of coolant. Do you think it's oil? It doesnt smell like burning though. Any suggestions/help would be awesome. Thanks everyone.
-Dave
However, my fan never kicked in.
I saw some white smoke coming from behind the del sol' distributor.
The top radiator hose was hot, but I wasnt sure where the bottom raditor hose was....I felt around for hoses that was "similar" to the top radiator hose and I find one that felt "warm."
The white smoke bothers me.
Do you think it's just spilled coolant? i did spill a lot of coolant. Do you think it's oil? It doesnt smell like burning though. Any suggestions/help would be awesome. Thanks everyone.
-Dave
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: glen burnie, md, usa
Update:
I changed the oil (and filter) today like 94hatchling suggested. After I finished changing the oil, I started the car and let it idle. I was peering around the engine double checking my work and I noticed a hose clamp wasn't where it should be. I watched the hose for a while and saw coolant drip out slowly. I turned off the engine and clipped the clamp on the end of the hose (where it should be). I started the car again and it still leaked, but a little slower this time. Well......I ran to the store and got a new clamp and clamped that hose up. I even left the old one on there. LOL. It's not leaking anymore! No more white smoke (or was it steam?). I let the del sol idle for 20 minutes and there was no smoke at all. However, the fan never kicked in. I should get that looked at sometime soon. The temperature meter never got higher than 1/3 of the way. I'll check the car again in a few days to see if I've lost any coolant from the overflow res. The top radiator hose was hot, the lower was hot..but not as hot.
I would like to thank everyone for helping me out. I can't believe something so simple can cause so much trouble! Thanks again. I will be definitely coming back here for help if anything ever goes wrong.
I changed the oil (and filter) today like 94hatchling suggested. After I finished changing the oil, I started the car and let it idle. I was peering around the engine double checking my work and I noticed a hose clamp wasn't where it should be. I watched the hose for a while and saw coolant drip out slowly. I turned off the engine and clipped the clamp on the end of the hose (where it should be). I started the car again and it still leaked, but a little slower this time. Well......I ran to the store and got a new clamp and clamped that hose up. I even left the old one on there. LOL. It's not leaking anymore! No more white smoke (or was it steam?). I let the del sol idle for 20 minutes and there was no smoke at all. However, the fan never kicked in. I should get that looked at sometime soon. The temperature meter never got higher than 1/3 of the way. I'll check the car again in a few days to see if I've lost any coolant from the overflow res. The top radiator hose was hot, the lower was hot..but not as hot.
I would like to thank everyone for helping me out. I can't believe something so simple can cause so much trouble! Thanks again. I will be definitely coming back here for help if anything ever goes wrong.
Re: (fadedindigo)
If your fan doesnt turn on check, check relays and fuses, if everything is good then go to Honda and buy a new fan switch. The fan switch is a sensor that will have to be unplugged and taken out to replace.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
From: DFW, TX, USA
Re: (fadedindigo)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fadedindigo »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">However, the fan never kicked in. I should get that looked at sometime soon. The temperature meter never got higher than 1/3 of the way. I'll check the car again in a few days to see if I've lost any coolant from the overflow res. The top radiator hose was hot, the lower was hot..but not as hot.
.</TD></TR></TABLE>
if the fan never kicked on, then that will be your overheating problem when stopped. and the leaking coolant would also cause it to overheat when it got low. also fyi, the lower hose wont be as hot b/c the coolant has already passed through the radiator to cool down. get that fan working again, and you should be problem free. good luck, and glad HT could help.
.</TD></TR></TABLE>
if the fan never kicked on, then that will be your overheating problem when stopped. and the leaking coolant would also cause it to overheat when it got low. also fyi, the lower hose wont be as hot b/c the coolant has already passed through the radiator to cool down. get that fan working again, and you should be problem free. good luck, and glad HT could help.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
shady3260
Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000)
7
Aug 9, 2012 03:04 PM
JaguarS4R
Honda Civic (2001 - 2005)
12
Feb 28, 2010 04:12 PM
markspan6243
Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000)
6
Dec 27, 2009 10:20 AM
