Hi guys, I'm pretty sure i've got this problem figured out but reviewing my track record with this god forsaken car, i figure it couldn't hurt to confirm my suspicions.

Symptoms: the car overheats, the upper radiator hose gets hot while the lower one stays only warm. The radiator fans don't come on (presumably because the fan switch is down steam of the thermostat [in an h22] which is presumably stuck closed so the fan switch can't see that the car is hot and thus will not turn the fans on).

thermostat problem, right?

 

Yup, sounds like it.

However, that is odd that your fan is not coming on.

 

What you are describing can be indicative of a thermostat, air pockets in the system, or a blown headgasket. So start with the thermostat. Change it, bleed the system, and see where you land.

 

yeah might even be air pockets in the system. I'm not takin any chances though, i bought a thermo today and am about to change the old one out. How do i bleed the coolant system? start the car with the cap off?

 

Hondas have a bleeder valve that is usually located on the upper water outlet or the thermostat housing.

 

hmm, so i see.