99 Honda Accord LX 4dr, 4 cyl automatic

9 Months ago: Car stalled after overheating. Oil drip on radiator hose burst hose. Replaced hose, thermostat. Ran fine for months.

2 Weeks ago: Radiator overheating, fluid burst through cap. Replaced cap and thermostat. Ran fine for two weeks.

Today: Overheating, fluid burst through cap. Already replaced cap and thermostat. Replaced fluid (did not do full flush but enough had leaked out that needed to be replaced) but fluid looks clean. Both upper hose and lower hose seem hot. Should I replace with Honda thermostat?? With clean fluid, doubt radiator is clogged. 172k miles; replaced water pump at 105k; maybe I'm overdue?? Help here with best next troubleshooting step please.

 

What do you mean fluid bursting through the cap ? If the cap is bad then replace it. If you have OEM radiator get an OEM cap. They usually don't interchange with aftermarket caps and radiators. Get a Honda OEM thermostat and make sure the jiggle valve thing is facing up. On mines I usually just cut them off completely.

 

Well, if you ran it hot until it quit like you say, you most certainly have a leaking head gasket. The radiator neck is probably melted, also.