my car overheats within 5 min. (lots of steam). also, my idle jumps form 1000 rpm to 2000 rpm every other second without pushing the gas. i replaced the temp. sensor and checked all wiring, fan blades do come on. also i noticed a leak in the top ridge of the radiator. if i replace the radiator will everything else be fixed?

 

Definitely get your radiator fixed...but the erradic Idle MIGHT be cured from the radiator; but usually thats from IACV (intake air control valve-it adjusts idle according to exhaust temps).

IMO stock accord radiators suck due to plastic parts (I have read) I would opt for a fluidyne or the like and it should yield a cooler running car .

 

Check your oil and radiator fluid.

Sounds like you might have a cracked head or blown head gasket.

Do a search on both and look to see if you have the symptoms.

 

You might want to also check your thermostat come to think of it.

Has your car overheated into the red before?

 

The idle problem is caused by a bad thermostat. Mine was stuck open. It gave conflicting data to the computer that controlled the IAC. The car was warm, and that signal was sent to the computer, yet the coolant was not at operating temp as it was allowed to flow throught the cooling system too soon and too often and that conflicting signal was sent to the computer as well. The result is an up and down idle surge. This will also happen in reverse order if the thermostat is stuck closed. The idicator as to which is either a very very low temp gauge or a very high temp gauge. Either way its a relatively easy and inexpensive fix. If yours is stuck closed, I'd say you are seeing a high temp gauge and the pressure blew the OEM radiator unit out.

 

where is the IACV and idle control valve located and which thermostat do i change? I just changed my head gasket one month ago and no cracks on it. Will replacement stock radiator withstand the heat, when im street racing?

 

my car goes beyond the red zone and past the "H". I just changed the temp. sensor three months ago.

 

actually my oil level is ok when cool but after five minutes ill take the oil cap off and stem comes rushing out. my only mods are AEM short ram and universal 4.5 in. muffler tip. i caped off the vacum line to the resonater, cut the elictrical clip to the resonater( that gray box connecting to the air control door), and took it out. I only cut the wire because i needed a replacement clip for the temp. sensor because the old one the wires came out.

 

Had the same problem, and i fixed it by changing a bunch of ****


Check the egr valve/ mapsensor / and i think the sensor that sits on Throttle body.. pain in the *** to change/ ... but i had a parts car , so i dont kno how much this all costs ...


befor i fixed this i would hold on the gas untill it warmed up


you might want to get a code reader

 

If it has gone beyond the H the head is most likely warped.

 

The IAC is located on the top rear of the engine just above the thermostat housing. Just follow your lower radiator hose. The IAC will have two small rubber hoses connected to it and a wire connector.

 

If it has gone beyond the H the head is most likely warped.


which head?

 

i know theres suppose to be a coolant drain plug but i cant figure out how to take it off cuz the socket wrench doesnt fit. what should i do? I already drained the hose (from the engine to the firewall) and even moved the heater switch to get it all out? Is there possibly more coolant in the engine? also the condenser fan wouldnt fit with the new radiator installed. should i leave it off or take out the whole thing , screw it on the rad and then put it back

 

as for the idle i had the same problem....was my fast idle thermo valve and for the overheating dont drive it at all...i made that mistake when i had a bad water pump and i warped the head...if u did , do a swap or get a junkyard engine, dont shave the head..

 

yea get the radiator fixed

 

Update

I put in my pepboys radiator and seems fine. also put wetter water with 50/50 mix, new thermostat with gasket and new hoses with clamps.

I noticed a leak coming from the upper rad hose.

Is it the temp. switch or because i didnt drain the coolant from the head?

Any advise will help.

This replacement has already costed me $240.00 <U>doing the work myself</U>!! !


Modified by f22aRacer at 7:31 PM 9/4/2004