My 100 year old mom had a 1997 4 cylinder Honda Accord with 80,000 original miles that was rarely used for the last 7 years of her life.After she passed away last year, I had the car towed to a local shop.I didn’t really need the car and they knew I was not pressed for time so they kept it and worked on it at their leisure.

This what has been done and then I’ll get to my current issue: Drained the fuel tank and replaced the fuel filter, replaced all belts, replaced timing belt and water pump, replaced spark plugs and replaced the map sensor.They claimed that they replaced the coolant and thermostat and conditioner for the radiator but when I got the car back I didn’t make it far before it started to overheat.There was a crack in the top of the radiator.I didn’t want to bring it back so I decided that I would change the radiator.I got a radiator from Napa and changed it.I used the bleeder valve and no spill funnel and cycled the fans twice at 2500 rpms to get all the air out of the system.

I took it for a test drive and this is my situation.I can drive the car for quite awhile in town and the temp gauge stays in the normal 1/3 position.When I take it on the highway the temp stays in the normal position until I slow down and start to idle.Then the temp will climb to about 3/4 and stay there for quite awhile then the fans start to cycle and the temp drops under a half in the normal position.I can then pull in my driveway and let it idle for 30 minutes and the fans will cycle and the temp stays in the normal position.If I get back in and drive down the highway again and then come to a stop and idle the temp will climb again to 3/4 and after a while the fans start to cycle again normally.I changed the thermo switch A, original Honda part, and refilled and purged the coolant.I am still having the same issue.

Any input on this will be greatly appreciated.I am not sure if I want to keep the car.The interior is in great shape and the 80K original miles was appealing to me at first.Plus it was my mom’s old car and certainly has some sentimental value.I just don’t was to put way more into it than I should.

Thanks a bunch

John

 

check and make sure both fans are running

 

Yes, both fans work

 

Hate spending money chasing an issue, me I would get an OE t-stat and replace the one that is on there now - sounds like you are not sure if it really was replaced and the description of the issue sounds like it could be sticking.

PS- Thanks for the edit, much easier to read

 

just to be sure, you replaced part 16 ?

https://www.hondapartscheap.com/auto...mp-sensor-scat

if you did, i would compression the motor, and if it's good i would replace the thermostat with a Honda one

if straight water has ever been used instead of coolant, it's possible the water pump fins are worn

 

Thanks Everyone for responding. Yes, 16 was the switch that I changed. Thanks for the suggestion on checking the compression. The car actually runs pretty well and there is not any smoke but I keep thinking about the head gasket.