2001 Honda Accord 12/00 2.3L single overhead cam

Have replaced head gasket, thermostat, fan/fan switch. Head was trued.
Problem remains- no water in bottom radiator hose, removed thermostat, still not water there. Radiator is pressurized, and blowing air and water into overflow jug. Takes about 10-15 minutes, but car is still running hot.

Will replace radiator cap next bf tackling water pump. Need to know correct pressure of radiator cap that is supposed to be on this radiator.

 

Manual states 14-18 psi for radiator cap. Have you flushed the radiator?

 

The parts store/dealer should have no problem looking up the correct part.

No water in the lower hose....sorry this sounds very strange.....so it must be a term issue (no water vs not getting hot)?

 

Yes, have flushed it several times. What do you mean by term issue?

I have tried everything I know to do except a new water pump. Could that be it?

 

Could very well be the water pump. Has it been replaced in the past?

 

I think the only way there is no water in the lower hose is if there's a clog of some sort, perhaps in the radiator.

Just have to ask how you found out there is no water in the lower hose ? Not trying to sound dumb but just curious how you came to that conclusion. If it's just that the lower hose isn't getting hot, that could just be thermostat is bad and stuck closed.

 

The water pump is the original. It can't be the thermostat bc I have replaced that plus, I even took it off to check w/o it also. Still same issue. I was thinking about the clogging in radiator as the issue bc even though I have flushed it numerous times, it's still not completely clear. I figured out about the lower hose bc it's not hot but also I can collapse it w/ my hand around it while the other one is pressurized and hot. Any suggestions on how to get the clog out if it's from the residual oil? Or is a new radiator the only fix if that's the issue?

 

That sounds like the water pump, is it leaking externally anywhere that you can see?

They're actually pretty cheap (I for some reason was thinking 300 and up and was going to suggest a reman) but they're around $50 http://www.hondapartsonline.net/part...%20pump%20assy

 

it doesn't sound like you've actually taken the lower hose off, just take it off and see if it's clogged then put some coolant in the top of the radiator and see if it comes out the bottom

 

Ok, here's the latest in my ongoing problem. Changed the cap out. Car now does not appear to be running hot. HOWEVER, water is still going into back into overflow tank.

The water pump is the original, but it seems to be working and is not leaking.

Could there be some kind of sensor issue here that I am missing?

 

Forgot to mention that I also took the radiator out and flushed it thoroughly. Now bottom hose is holding pressure.

 

normally either a clog or a bad head gasket will cause the overflow tank to boil over

do a compression test to verify the head is not leaking