1990 Honda Accord Overheats at Idle

HONDA ACCORD
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CHRISTIAN06
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a 1990 Honda Accord DX (283000 mi). Why does my car overheat when it idles, but when I give it a little gas it acts normal? Also, when the car is cold, it idles up and down until normal operating temperature. When on the interstate the car doesnt seem to have any problems, only when cold and/or idling. What do could I do to solve these problems? I recently put new cap rotar plugs and thermostat in.
Apr 3, 2006 at 10:34 AM
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LOSONE
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,616 POSTS
I had the very same car with the very same problems. I replaced the plastic radiator and the T-stat and it corrected the problem. Don't forget to bleed the coolant system. There are 2 bleed screws on the engine.
Apr 3, 2006 at 11:05 AM
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Suggested Repair

Replace the plastic radiator and thermostat, then bleed the cooling system using the two bleed screws on the engine.

Conversation Summary

A 1990 Honda Accord overheats at idle but runs normally with a little throttle or on the interstate, and the idle fluctuates until it reaches operating temperature. The owner had already replaced the distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs, and thermostat. An expert with the same symptoms said replacing the plastic radiator and thermostat, then bleeding the cooling system at the two engine bleed screws, corrected the problem.

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