hi I've had my Honda element since the very beginning I've never had no serious problems with it until just a few weeks ago. My element started over heating when I would b going up hills. So I went ahead and start checking on some parts on the vehicle I observe that the fans wasn't working so I change both fans. Then I change the radiator and thermostat. I also observe that one of the hose had a leak so I change that too. Now I'm trying to find out if the head gasket or what else might cause my vehicle to overheat and if its the gasket is there a way u can tell if its blown........very frustrating

 

Normally if the head gasket is gone, if you are to open the rad cap it will look like vanilla pudding in the rad and cap from the coolant and oil mixing.

It could also be overheating from a coolant temp sensor being bad.

It could very well be the new thermostat you just installed. I replaced mine because my old integra was over heating, and the new thermostat was faulty, so I just cut the middle out, and never had a problem again.

 

Do your fans turn on at all? I'm betting both of your original fans weren't bad. Sticker Bomb has a good idea of the temp sensor. If sensor is faulty - the fans never get told to turn on. Also running it w/o the thermostat in is a good test too.

You can test your old fans by putting 12V to the terminals. Man, I'll bet you dumped some ca$h into a new Rad and fans.

mc

 

ok sticky bomb if I take out the thermostat I think the check engine light would come on cause with these new cars I think there made to do that. so if that works and the check engine light come on then what do u recommend

 

yes microcraft both fans are working and the old fans had seize up that's how I knew they were bad.....yes I did spend a few bucks in the car lol