1998 Accord LX runs hot
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2
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From: Jackson, NJ, USA
1998 Accord LX runs hot
1998 Accord LX 2.3 Litre V-tec engine...5 spd trans...A/C...46000 original miles...
Vehicle runs hot but does not over-heat. Temp guage will run between 217 and 238 degrees. The temp is monitored with a scan tool. Vehicle only runs hot while driving. It will sit and idle all day with temps ranging between 197 and 210. The cooling fans operate properly and push air in the right direction. The thermostat has been replaced with a Honda unit. The vehicle has been bled with the bleeder until no air is present. All coolant hoses are clear and install in their correct locations. Radiator was flow tested (ok). A new radiator was tried as a test (no better). Combustion was tested for with a combustion tester (blue liquid) and also with an emissions analyser. No combustion present. The water pump was removed and inspected...impeller is in good shape. I then boiled the water pump in 210 degree water thinking the impeller would get loose with heat...it did not! Water supply tube to the water pump is clear. I fabricated clear radiator hoses to monitor coolant flow. I noticed at 230 degrees the lower hose is cold and I assume the thermostat closes and this is whats causing my heating condition. I also noted a lot of air bubbles once the thermostat opens and circulation begins. The vehicle normal temp if the heat is on or if I run the car hard at 4000 rpm/60 mph. The cylinder head was pulled and the head gasket replaced by another shop. I fabricated a restrictor to take the place of the thermostat and the vehicle will run at 150 degrees. It seems I have a flow problem or possibly a restriction in the cylinder head? Please help.
Vehicle runs hot but does not over-heat. Temp guage will run between 217 and 238 degrees. The temp is monitored with a scan tool. Vehicle only runs hot while driving. It will sit and idle all day with temps ranging between 197 and 210. The cooling fans operate properly and push air in the right direction. The thermostat has been replaced with a Honda unit. The vehicle has been bled with the bleeder until no air is present. All coolant hoses are clear and install in their correct locations. Radiator was flow tested (ok). A new radiator was tried as a test (no better). Combustion was tested for with a combustion tester (blue liquid) and also with an emissions analyser. No combustion present. The water pump was removed and inspected...impeller is in good shape. I then boiled the water pump in 210 degree water thinking the impeller would get loose with heat...it did not! Water supply tube to the water pump is clear. I fabricated clear radiator hoses to monitor coolant flow. I noticed at 230 degrees the lower hose is cold and I assume the thermostat closes and this is whats causing my heating condition. I also noted a lot of air bubbles once the thermostat opens and circulation begins. The vehicle normal temp if the heat is on or if I run the car hard at 4000 rpm/60 mph. The cylinder head was pulled and the head gasket replaced by another shop. I fabricated a restrictor to take the place of the thermostat and the vehicle will run at 150 degrees. It seems I have a flow problem or possibly a restriction in the cylinder head? Please help.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 903
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
Re: 1998 Accord LX runs hot (mechthree)
Was the radiator original OEM or did it look like it had been replaced at some point? Is there a history of attempts to fix a leaking radiator w/ radiator sealer or egg whites?
You mention alot of bubbles being generated...there's cavitation going on. Has the h20 pump PULLEY (or any related pulley) ever been replaced? With a smaller diameter unit (such that the water pump propeller spins faster at roadspeed)?
Any sign of the car ever being in a front-end wreck?
(xlnt write-up by the way).
You mention alot of bubbles being generated...there's cavitation going on. Has the h20 pump PULLEY (or any related pulley) ever been replaced? With a smaller diameter unit (such that the water pump propeller spins faster at roadspeed)?
Any sign of the car ever being in a front-end wreck?
(xlnt write-up by the way).
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