I flushed my coolant system the other day and refilled it with 50/50 coolant/water. Since I flushed it, I have been overheating constantly. I get to a light or sit in a parking lot for a minute, and the temp needle will start shooting up. I can turn on the heat, but that only helps it for a few seconds before it starts going up again. What could be the problem here? I picked up a new thermostat from where I work, and am going to be putting it in this weekend. I hadn't really had this problem until just now, and I don't know what it is. Might I have poured the new water in too fast w/o letting the engine cool down enough? (I added fresh water/coolant about 30 mins of letting sit, then again about 10 mins after letting it run for 10 mins (flush)). Anyone have any ideas?

jB

 

It's the thermostat. You probably flushed some crud out of the system and it got stuck in the thermostat. I've had bad luck with aftermarket thermostats. Try an OE honda from the dealer. It'll cost a little more but it's worth it.

 

Did you bleed the air out of system after you filled it???

 

yah after you filled leave the cap off and run the car till it starts simmering [looking] in the filler

 

No, I didn't bleed it. What do I do, just run the car with the cap off for a while? I went out and checked the level again, and it was WAY down. I guess I hit an air pocket or something after I flushed it. I filled the radiator back up, and filled the overflow tank 2/3 of the way. I headed over to my friends house (About 20 mins away), and by the time I got there all of the coolant/water in the overflow tank was totally gone. I don't think I blew a head gasket, but I am not sure. I am going to install the thermostat tomorrow or Sunday, and refill the system again and see what happens. Thanks for the help guys.

jB

 

yeah, there should be a bleeder bolt that you have to take off and watch the flow of the coolant until you dont see the bubbles anymore (engine off). heater should be all the way up, put the cap back on dont turn it all the way, just the first stop then start the engine and wait til the fan comes on. it shouldnt overheat but topping off the coolant is normal when the engine cools down

 

If there is air in the system it would over heat no matter what. Take your radiator out and flush it again. You won't believe what you found after flushing the radiator. Check your fan also.
jason phan
T

 

i got the same prob last night. my car had never overheated before. i would go on long 5hr trips and the temp gauge wouldnt move a bit. then all of the sudden i see that sucker climbing up to the H oh no!! i got a sharp feeling in my stomach. cuz i was thinking how am i gonna get to work? would i get stranded half way? am i gonna be able to get back home? how did i get here? this is not my beautiful house? this is not my beautiful wife? (a lil comedy there for those talking heads fans hehehehe) anyway, i checked the water reservoir and it was at about half way. checked for leaks and didnt find any. checked the fan too and it was working. i quickly thought it could be my thermostat. well i could not stay at home and figure out the problem, i had to get to work. well i maded it to work, where im typing this now. but the temp would quickly rise when i was at a stop light. then as i would get speed, the air helped it cool down a bit. good thing i need to take the fwy to work, the temp was at about normal when i got to work. but im gonna try and change the thermostat. i should of felt the radiator hose to see if it was cool or hot doh!!! well ill post up the results when i get it solved.

 

the same thing happen to my car 91 integra i use to work for valvoline instant oil change we change alot peoples oil, tranny, coolent, fluids it could be your water pump look in your engine bay if you see any coolent spill could be a crack on he radiator release the preasure valve for the coolent its the first radiator hose that goes into the engine and check all of your coolent hose for any cracks on them and if the coolent hose ar stiff or have little crack lines just replace the whole coolent hose

 

do not remove the raditor hose there is a nut 10mm just take that out and run the car for a few minutes and open the cap and do the refill of coolent.......

 

im about to go and buy the thermostat and flush out the coolant. but what worries me is that there might be a crack on my engine. cuz i smell the coolant but i cant seem to find where its coming from. wish me luck and hope its not a crack on my block.