Engine Overheating

Tiny
OWNIT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 225,000 MILES
The fans don't come on when the car is running without A/C, even while overheating. When the A/C is on, both fans come on but the car still overheats. When the car is turned off, one of the fans turns on. I changed the thermostat before noticing the odd fan behavior. Please help!
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Check the relay and the coolant temp switch, if fans are running at full speed with AC, it is most likely the fan switch. There are two, right rear of engine and right side of engine.
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAVAVONHACKETT09
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 169,000 MILES
Everytime! I get out of my car it smells hot. My gauge says it's not hot and my coolant level seems to be cool. Am I missing something? I've had it for 5mo. And it's been doing it for that long.
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check if you have an oil leak that may given you that odor
engine cool open radiator cap and check coolant in it

*****************************************
need manual CHECK IT @
https://www.2carpros.com/kpages/auto_repair_manuals.htm
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DALY24
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 182,000 MILES
So here is my problem, soon after driving just for a few minutes, I can not stop my car for more than thirty seconds with out the temperature going up. I just watch the needle slowly rise. Then I drive and it returns down to normal. So I refill the radiator with some coolant when its cooled down. It will work fine for a few weeks then it happens again. I do not see any leaks and the coolant reservoir is full. Could it be the thermostat that needs replacing?

My other problem is occasionally when I am driving and I release from the gas, my speedometer will quickly drop and come back up, in that second, sometimes the radio blinks as if the power had been shut off and back on, but the car does not shut off or anything. What could be the issue?
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there, I would change the thermostat first and have the radiator cleaned & flow tested. Your other problem may be a bad chassis earth I would be checking the earth connections first,

Mark (mhpautos)
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi daly24,

One more thing to add to what mhpautos has recommended. Check radiator cap for worn seals or pressure leak since the reservoir is running full. Any loose connection or leakage of the reserve tank hose to the radiator cap housing would also cause the problem.

If however all the above does not help, you most probably have some problem with the head gasket.
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Yes I agree, pressure caps are often over looked so that is a good idea as well. Also just make sure when you fit the thermostat, make sure any bleed valve is upper most as this will assist in expelling air when bleeding.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MCM97
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 206,000 MILES
Not sure what Wheel Drive Type my car has, so my answer may be incorrect.

For several years now when I turn off my '97 Honda Accord, the fan runs for a very long time, sometimes up to 10 minutes or longer. I have asked mechanics about this and they all say it's normal; however, I haven't seen or heard other Accords that do the same thing.

Anyway, yesterday, while stopped at a fast food drive through, I noticed billows of steam coming out of the front of my car, and, when I glanced at the gauge, saw that the heat was in the red zone. I sat for awhile, then started up again. When I got on the road, the needle went down into the normal zone, but as soon as I slowed down, it climbed again.

Today it doesn't matter if I'm stopped or driving, the needle climbs--although not to the red zone.

I am driving to Chicago a week from today, so must have it fixed, but I feel like every repair I have done to this car runs into the $600 range and I do not have that kind of money. What do you think it could be, and what do you think is a reasonable repair cost?

Thank you.
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi mcm97,

You seem to be having insufficient coolant in the radiator. Check for leakages of the cooling system, unless the radiator or head gaskets are faulty, otherwise the repair should not be vey costl.

Check the radiator coolant level.
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DEWAYNEDIXON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
Engine Cooling problem
1997 Honda Accord 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 198k miles

I have a 1997 Honda Accord LX with 198,000 miles on it. One day I heard a pop noise on the driver's side under the hood and noticed the temp. Gauge shot up like a bottle rocket. The car ran fine then kinda started to lose power and finally stalled out. I let it cool for a few hours then drove it up my driveway. The next day I changed the thermostat and the temp gauge stayed in normal range but the water in the radiator was still boiling. Finally, a few days later it went hot again. I filled the radiator up and watched the water while the engine ran. I noticed the water wasn't circulating very well with the outlet pipe was cold and the inlet pipe to radiator was very hot just idling.I also noticed a small amount of water coming out of the tailpipe. Could this be a water pump, radiator, or worse case a head gasket or cracked block problem? Thank you!
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi dewaynedixon,

The water would not circulate if the thermostat is not opened and that would require the engine to be running for at least 10 minutes. When temp increases, does the cooling fan comes on?

Condensation can occur in exhaust and you need to run the engine for some time before it dries out.

Before jumping to the conclusion that the head or other things are bad, it would be good to monitor the situation.

Does the cooling fans comes on when AC is turned on?
Do you have coolant losses in radiator?
Is the reservoir overflowing or depleting?
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TREVOR87
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
Hey my accord has a lot of miles. I live in south Dakota and we drive about a thousand miles every month to go across the state. When we got back on the last trip I noticed there was oil leaking pretty bad out the bottom. Thor was not much oil let in the vehicle. So I thought maybe a bad gasket so I bought this stuff called a&w head gasket repair treatment, I followed it to a t and got everything back together and now its running hot within a half mile of the house. What does it sound like and what should I do. Thank you so much for your time. I look forward to getting a response soon. Later.
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If the head gasket repair went to the coolant it won't help the oil probably your head gasket is shot and needs to be replaced.
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MAX080
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 230,000 MILES
Can some help me with my car overheating issue, I have trouble with fans not kicking in.
At times they do at times they do not but right now they do not kick for sure.
Fans are good coz when my engine overheats and the heat guage goes all the way over half or red.
I turn off the engine all the time once the ignition is turned off the fans kick in and runs for about 4 to 7 mins at times.
I have fixed hose there was a leak but now no leaks changed the relay in the electric fuse box.
Car over heats when I am stuck in traffic or if I am in parking lot for more than 5 t0 8 mins.
So I have to keep my heater on so that car doesnt over heat.
I guess its the ecu or the temp sensor switch at the hose below the distributor green color one.

Please help me fix this its quite frustrating when I am in Traffic
Thanks,
Max
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Max:
It could be a few things. Have you checked the temp sending unit? Have you tried a different fan relay?
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MAX080
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes I tried the relay no its not it next thing on my mind is temp sensor at the trermo stat hose what do u say cuz fans r Gud.

Max
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
AZAM_LK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 120,000 MILES
Hi
I am looking for some kind advise on my issue with my car. I have had it off the road for a about 3years now and recenlty took it back on the road. It starts up extremly well and showz no issues. But I had it services where all oils and coolants were changes due to the length of time it was off road. Now I have the issue of the car over heating. It heats up nearly 80% on the gauge. I have kept it away and didnt push it too much. But since a few runs it has calm down a bit but still heats when revved for a while. It realeases water when accellerated from the back and looks a bit steamy when running. Have checked the radiator has no oil and oil and cap showing no signs of water either. Could you please advise based on my explanation as to what the problem can be.
Thanks
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
Is your coolant level going down? If so, do a coolant pressure test. This will check for coolant leaks.

If not, while it is overheating, feel both radiator hoses, both should be around the same temperature, if one is a lot hotter than the other you have a thermostat issue.

Also, does the cooling fan come on?
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
AZAM_LK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for your quick reply.
There is no loss of coolant but it did have issue of the thermo stat which I replaced. But still the problem is there but now both hoses are same temp. Plus fan does come on to try and cool it,

thank you
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)

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