Legend overheating....

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95LEGEND
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Need help...

Just replaced my radiator 4 days ago due to the infamous crack at the top(radiatorexpress.com) thanks for the info in previous posts.......didn't replace the thermostat because 3 places didn't have them in stock the morning that i replaced it but i plan to this weekend....Drove from charlotte to atlanta and back (3.5 hours each way without any issues.....Here is the problem that i'm now having...

The second day with the new radiator...the temp gauge went up to the "hot" level then immediately went back down before i could pull over....the rest of the day it didn't happen again...The third day it happened again....then went back down.....The fourth day it happened but didn't go back down immediately...so i pulled over and raised the hood thinking i may see or smell smoke or the engine would feel overheated...but none of this..no smoke or smell, engine still felt cool...this happened after 10-15 minutes of driving after leaving work...i get back in the car and start it up and the temp gauge is where it should be so i drive home (another 15 minutes and no problem with temp gauge)...fifth day same thing on the way to work...when leaving work...i check under the hood and the upper radiator hose is colapsed inward...i remove the radiator cap and it seems like it released a lot of pressure when the cap was removed....tightened the cap and proceeded to drive home (only a 15-20 minute drive) and the temp gauge rises again but doesn't go back down immediately so i pull over and wait about 5 minutes..start the car and it stays where it should the rest of the way home....

If the cooling system needs the air bleeded out how long should this take and when will i know that the bleeding process is complete...
I'm going to change the thermostat on saturday..could this be the problem? I read something about the radiator cap....which is the same cap from the cracked radiator because the radiator from radiator express didn't come with a cap....but if it fits tightly and secure does it still need to be replaced?
Jan 5, 2006 at 7:30 AM

What to check next

Diagnostic guidance. Suggested checks and possible repairs are separate from the owner's reported results.

Have the actual temperature, cap and recovery circuit, coolant level and circulation checked. Use the model-specific refill and bleeding procedure, and never remove the cap while the system is hot or pressurized.

Guidance references and applicability

Source: This question and its visible discussion. The roadmap distinguishes the original owner's reports from other participants' experiences; proposed follow-up is editorial guidance, not a confirmed diagnosis. HELLA: Cooling-system checks https://www.hella.com/techworld/ae/technical/car-cooling-system/cooling-system-check/ General temperature, circulation and leak checks; use the actual vehicle procedure.

Read the replies · Discussion summary and reported outcome

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95LEGEND
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Also replaced the upper and lower radiator hoses with the new radiator and there both warm after driving....i'm hopiing the thermostat replacement fixes it.
Jan 5, 2006 at 7:33 AM
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JOSEF
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after driving your upper radiator hose should be kinda hot if its not your thermostat needs to be changed and getting the air bubbles out you just squeese the upper radiator hose and release slowly and watch the coolant bubble up, when you see no more bubbles your gravey.
Jan 11, 2006 at 7:02 AM
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2CARPRO JACK
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dont forget to replace the radiator cap
Jan 24, 2006 at 9:26 AM
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TCBUCKHORN
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Did the new thermostat or radiator cap fix the problem?
Jan 24, 2006 at 9:39 AM

Discussion summary

Legend overheating....

An Acura Legend intermittently indicated hot after radiator and hose replacement. The owner also found the upper hose collapsed and was still using the old radiator cap. Thermostat replacement and bleeding were discussed.

Reported outcome: No result after thermostat or cap replacement was reported.

A tightly fitting cap was not a pressure or vacuum-function test. The generic hose-squeezing suggestion did not establish that the system was properly bled.

Read the original discussion

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