Here are the facts:

Honda Accord 2000 EX

Took a very long time for the car to start blowing warm air. And then, it was not constantly hot. Mostly when I was accelerating. Blowing cool when I was stopped. The cooling fan kicked on when I stopped the car. The temp gauge showed some overheating (not redlining, but creeping up there).

Here's the timeline:

3 weeks ago: Took it to the shop. Fixed and clamped a radiator hose with a leak in it. Also did a coolant flush.

Seemed like it fixed the problem. No more overheating while driving and constant hot air quickly after ignition. That lasted a week, maybe week and a half. We were back to overheating and lousy air.

1 week ago: Shop recommended that I replace the thermostat.

Seemed like THAT fixed it. I had a week of good driving, constant low temps and a nice blast of hot air from the vents.

But today, we're back to cool/warm air from the vents, and a temp gauge that is creeping up there.

I'm not seeing anything dripping or leaking. I'm really not sure why fixing the radiator and a coolant flush seemed to fix the problem, and then later, putting in a new thermostat fixed it, only to have the problem keep coming back after a week of thinking it is fixed.

Any ideas?

 

I think you may have a bad water pump.

 

Air bubbles in the system can cause this to occur. Was the system properly bled after the thermostat install?

Drive the car around for a little bit until it reaches operating temperature - get back to your house/garage/whatever and CAREFULLY open the bleed valve by the throttle body. If you start hearing whistling/air come out then you've found your problem

 

Well, I was charged for draining and refilling the system, but who knows.

Would that be the cause of the problem seeming 'fixed' after repairs were done both times, only to have it come back after a week?

 

Well I feel pretty stupid now!

I was checking the bleeder and saw that I don't have any coolant in the radiator, and the reserve tank has gone dry. Looks like they either didn't replace it after the last flush, or that I have a leak somewhere else.

 

:doh:

 

i had similar problem, however wasn't leaking, and no air in the system, tried thermostat, flushing, then i realized my radiator was crap, the car was overheating and my radiator was barely warm to the touch lol, after i replaced the rad, its been stable ever since, bit higher temperature on gauge, but thats most likely due to cheap aluminium rad replacement, original was copper, dam honda is indestructible i had it on higher then max red line for 4 hour drive on highway, back and fort, and engine survived it!