1992 Acura Legend Coolant resevoir oerflowing/overheating c

MARHONG

MEMBER
1992 ACURA LEGEND
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
300,000 MILES

Hey guys! I would greatly appreciate if someone could give me directions as to why my radiator would be forcing coolant back through my coolant resevoir and causing on overheating condition? (Ie. Where should I look 1st) Thanks!

Saturday, September 4th, 2010 AT 2:08 PM

6 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi Marhong,

Check the radiator cap. If the seals are bad, replace it.

Ensure cooling fans are turning on.

If above are good, bleed the system. Air trapped in system would cause overheating.

Final part would be to perform a pressure test to check if the head gasket is bad.

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Saturday, September 4th, 2010 AT 2:38 PM

MARHONG

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Thank you for the imput sir! I have gone ahead and replaced the rad cap. Now I just need to take it for a run and see the results. I will let you know the outcome as soon as I can. Thanks again for the reply!

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Saturday, September 4th, 2010 AT 2:53 PM

KHLOW2008

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You're welcome.

Remember to bleed the system.

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Saturday, September 4th, 2010 AT 2:56 PM

MARHONG

MEMBER
22 POSTS

Good day sir. I went ahead and changed the rad cap and the problem still persists. Now, I purchased a new thermostat and was going to put it in, but came across a very perculiar site when I went and took the new rad cap off. There was his grungy black waxy black compound all around the rubber gasket of the cap. 1st thought that comes to mind is "petroleum" (oil) getting into the system. Then I thought that maybe it was simply some residue on the rubber seal of the new rad cap that protects the rubber from drying out? Oh and another important piece of information in the matter is that the upper rad hose gets hot and the lower hose stays cool. However, due to the upper rad getting hot this would indicate that my thermostat is opening, possible plugged rad? Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks!

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Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 AT 5:21 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

When the upper hose gets hot while to lower hose stays cool, it means the thermostat is NOT opening. Thermostat is located at end of lower radiator hose, inside the housing and is the entry point for cooled coolant.