1988 Honda Prelude Overheating

1988 ALL OTHER MAKES ALL OTHER MODELS
Avatar
JOHNNYOLSON
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
1988 Prelude 2.0SI, 2.0 liter 4 cyl, 118,000 miles, it started overheating out of the blue last Friday night. it was steaming and smelled, the engine was wet when I popped the hood. i added coolant the next day, but it still was running hot and redlining the temp gauge even after a short 1/2 mile trip. i can not find any leaks/burst hoses. would this indicate a thermostat problem?
Jun 16, 2006 at 9:12 AM
Avatar
BRUCE HUNT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 3,754 POSTS
This is a problem you must take care of right away. Dont' drive it hot, that will kill the engine. My first suspect is usually the thermostat. It is a mechanic part that must sense the temp and open to allow the hot fluid from the engine to exit and flow through the hose to the radiator for cooling. Start with that and replace it. A pretty easy job, quite straight forward.

When you do replace the thermostat, make sure that there is no old gasket material left on the two halves before you put it back together with the new thermostat and the rubber gasket that should come on the thermostat.

Fill the car with coolant and also the overflow as well.

There are a couple of other things to check as well. Do the fans on the radiator work and run? Was the overflow empty when the overheating occurred? If not, then I might consider replacing the radiator cap.
Jun 20, 2006 at 12:25 AM
Avatar
JOHNNYOLSON
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks Bruce.
I did replace the thermostat yesterday. that did the trick for the overheating, it was stuck shut. but after reassembly, found a coolant leak, and had to have my local Honda shop tackle that one. thanks for the help and service that you guys provide.
Jun 20, 2006 at 10:07 AM
🔧 Tools & Auto Repair Parts
Find automotive tools, diagnostic equipment, and replacement parts for your next repair.
Shop on Amazon →
Paid affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Suggested Repair

Do not drive the car while it is overheating. Replace the thermostat, clean old gasket material, and install the new thermostat with its rubber gasket. Refill the cooling system and overflow tank. Also confirm the radiator fans run and consider the radiator cap if the overflow was not empty.

Conversation Summary

A 1988 Honda Prelude 2.0SI began overheating suddenly, steaming and wetting the engine, with no visible leaks or burst hoses. The expert advised stopping driving immediately and replacing the thermostat first, while also checking the radiator fans and radiator cap. The owner replaced the stuck-closed thermostat, which stopped the overheating, then had a Honda shop repair a coolant leak found after reassembly.

Related Repair Questions

Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Ask a new question

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle