the headache i didn't take care of last summer is back with a vengeance
96 accord ex
on hot days, with or without a/c running...
after driving a while and coming to idle...temp rises 3/4 of the way...if i increase rpm's, temp decreases...
also the reservoir tank fills from the radiator over flow due to the increased temp..
there are no coolant leaks on the floor unless the reservoir tank overfills so much that it tries to bubble out and spills
the coolant is green as a ninja turtle...
both fans run, i've replaced ECT A and B, T-stat and Temp sensor...
weak water pump? or head gasket? clogged radiator? air in system? WTF???
suggestions? comments?

the above parts I replaced 1 week ago and everything was fine with the exception that when i shut the engine down the radiator fan would continue running for a few minutes...but i hadn't noticed any radiator to reservoir tank overflow...
BUT today I drove 180 miles NY-PA...on arrival the fan stayed on and i noticed the overflow...
before i came back this afternoon...another 180 miles...I poured the overflown coolant amount back to the radiator and drove back...when driving the temp was ok...when stopped it rose again....i made it back...now what do i do?

 

Have you properly flushed and filled the system back up, ensuring no air pockets?

 

Check your radiator cap, using a pressure tester. If your cap can't hold pressure your cooling system will overheat.

 

Here's a link that may help you find the problem. Good luck.

http://techauto.te.funpic.org/overheating.php

 

check your rad cap like stated above, instead of wasting time (like 5 minutes? lol) testing it just buy a new one, there like 3 bucks at autozone and is quicker to install then making cup noodles. also check your waterpump maybe some of the fins are broken and not circulating water fast enough, that might be why your overheating at idle but not when engine RPMs are up since the water pump runs off your crankshaft

 

i've also replaced the radiator cap

 

my guess is the waterpump..but still try all the lil things first. like t-stat, draining-flushing-and refilling your coolant, and wutever was stated above.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by parceroreal &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

after driving a while and coming to idle...temp rises 3/4 of the way...if i increase rpm's, temp decreases...

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Water pump, system flush and you should be good to go.

 

UPDATE:

had the radiator checked today and it held pressure...
i was told to change it bcz it was possibly clogged...i wasn't too convinced...

i got a second opinion at another shop where they did a coolant system check they couldn't find any coolant leak but found coolant in the emissions and told me to replace the head gasket...

i'm getting a leakdown test done tomorrow...and i'm pretty sure i'm gonna be doing the head gasket...

prices, suggestions???
any comments are welcome

 

ok here goes, been around the block with this for the past couple of days,

2 shops told me head gasket, one bcz there was coolant in the emissions, they couldn't find a leak elsewhere, so that was their conclusion
this other place told me the head gasket because he could feel how the engine was running...
people actually let them work on their cars...wtf?
ok, so i had this other place check the car out...everytime i've gone somewehere i've told them i want a leakdown check and they ask why, so i explain and tell them everything i've done so far...
anyways, so this last place checked the head, told me they performed a chemical test on the head gasket to see if it was leaking...said it was 80% accurate....and the engine checked fine internally...they suggested i do the radiator and that it was possible the water pump impeller fins were worn...car has 116k miles and i've had it for since 103k, and was told when i bought it that the previous owner had done the timing belt and water pump, though i don't believe it...
anyways...i'm down to these 2 things radiator and/or water pump...
i wasn't too convinced that the head gasket is fine...all along i've been thinking it's what it was, i'm thinking i should have someone else look at it...

 

If they think it's your headgasket, what color is your radiator fluid?

If it's green and no milkyness then 99% chance your HG is fine and the t-belt water pump never got replaced.

 

get a couple more opinions...but i still think its water pump, haha, but im not pro so....

 

i'm gonna get another look at it today... i nuke the hell out of these issues...

the coolant is green like a ninja turtle and no milkyness...

i'll let you all know more later

 

It's your head gasket...if you keep letting your car overheat it's going to warp the head and then you will need a whole new motor.

Trust me if you take off the cap to your overfill bottle then let the car run and warm up if the coolent starts to bubble up your head gasket is blown.

Just trust me don't drive the car anymore just replace the head gasket.

 

I am having the same problem with my 94 accord but i have already replaced the headgasket,thermostat,radiator cap ,and all the hoses. would really be interested to find out what fixes your problem..My next step is the water pump..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by buphilo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I am having the same problem with my 94 accord but i have already replaced the headgasket,thermostat,radiator cap ,and all the hoses. would really be interested to find out what fixes your problem..My next step is the water pump..</TD></TR></TABLE>
i'm gonna do the radiator next and the water pump and timig belt since i'm due for it anyways...
i'll keep you posted

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hondaless &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It's your head gasket...if you keep letting your car overheat it's going to warp the head and then you will need a whole new motor.

Trust me if you take off the cap to your overfill bottle then let the car run and warm up if the coolent starts to bubble up your head gasket is blown.

Just trust me don't drive the car anymore just replace the head gasket.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i hear ya. i keep thinking the head gasket too, but i'm gonna shy away from it right now and work my way up to it...

1. radiator
2. water pump
then if all else fails
3. head gasket

another reason i shy away form the head gasket is that the coolant never runs low...it only spills over to the reservoir

 

my car useto have a similiar problem where my coolant will flow into my resovoir and boil away, but my car wouldnt overheat. turns out my rad. cap was sealing properly

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by parceroreal &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

another reason i shy away form the head gasket is that the coolant never runs low...it only spills over to the reservoir</TD></TR></TABLE>

My buddies car at work he left to go to lunch came back parked. When I was walking out to go home about 3 hours later there is a huge puddle of anti-freeze under his car. It came from the overfill bottle. This started happening when it got 100+ degrees out here.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hondaless &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It's your head gasket...if you keep letting your car overheat it's going to warp the head and then you will need a whole new motor.

Trust me if you take off the cap to your overfill bottle then let the car run and warm up if the coolent starts to bubble up your head gasket is blown.

Just trust me don't drive the car anymore just replace the head gasket.</TD></TR></TABLE>


What he said:

if the one shop has detected ethyl gylcol in your exhaust and your car is bubbling out coolant, then it is most likely your head gasket having a crack between 2 cylanders. Pull your plugs and carefully examine them.

I would not be suprised if another mechanic can feel the car running different as he most likely pulled one of your plugs to confirm it after he rode with you and observed engine behavior. (cars do run differently when there is liquid in the combustion chamber)

Keep driving the car like that and you will have to replace your cat and o2 sensor(s) becuase they will get contaminated with coolant and cease to function properly

 

Is there any test I can perform.... and how much will a head gasket cost me...
I am having the same problem too...I have replaced almost everything radiator, waterpump, Spark plugs.. except the ECT switch which I will replace soon too... It does it when its HOT outside....thanx chodu #1

 

for a I4 provided that the head does not need any additional work, about $600 if it needs work, closer to $1200. IF you are mechanically inclined, you can do it yourself for the cost of a head gasket hit. (About $100 or so by the time you buy bolts)

Leak down, compression, cooling system pressure tests can all be performed. Visual inspection of plugs as well