i have a 92 accord ex that on the freeways runs at normal operating temp, but as soon as i pull off and come up to a red light the temp rises almost into the red. if i rev it above 1500 it cools down, but then as soon as i let off it climbs back up again. is it a bad thermostat or what???? any suggestions would help!

 

Do your fans work? And yes, it might be your thermostat. Make sure you have coolant in your radiator.

 

the fans are both operational and the coolant is good..... i hope its just the thermostat,,, any other ideas??

 

If it's not the thermostat maybe the water pump. Did you get it changed with your timing belt?

 

yeah, just had the belt and pump changed out 8 grand ago.

 

what about the radiator cap it could be worn out and not letting the radiator build up pressure properly

 

Hmm, I had the same problem with my 92 EX. It wasn't my thermostat and Honda thought it was my leaking AC condensor, but it wasn't either. My timing belt and water pump were done at 45k on that car too cause my water pump went. I sold tthe car though for my 95.

Does it do it all the time? That was my problem I couldn't recreate it for someone to look at. It basically did it when I came off the highway and sat in traffic. Once it did it leaving a parking lot.

 

yeah, its a pretty consistent gripe, hopefully the thermo is bad

 

hopefully it is cause that's only about $60 with labor.

 

The radiator cap is possible as well. http://s2000.vtec.net/underhood/radiator_cap.html
If the radiator cap is worn out it will allow fluid to go into the reserve tank easier and thus lowering the effective temperature of your antifreeze. Thus the engine will get hotter when idling. Revving it should increase the pressure thus raising the temp that the fluid is efficient at even with a worn out radiator fluid cap. Those things do wear out and it is the easiest fix I can think of if something is going out.


[Modified by CmptchAV6, 12:08 PM 4/18/2002]