On Sat, 20 Jan 2007 23:28:25 -0700, "Michael Pardee" wrote:

>Pilots speak of the engine being "auto-rough in clouds." I think the same
>thing is bedeviling you. Your anxiety level is higher and things that you
>normally wouldn't give a thought to are on your mind.
>
>The first experience - stalling in deep water - is puzzling. Why the engine
>stalled I don't know, but you should be aware the ECU can get wet when the
>car is in water above the floorboards for a while. Vague, I know, but
>different cars have different leakage rates. As long as your "check engine"
>light hasn't been coming on and the engine runs normally you've probably
>been on the side of the angels there.

I hope you're right but what is ECU? Last time I checked it was some
European currency or something. ;-)

>The overheating is always a concern, since serious overheating can warp the
>cylinder head and cause persistent overheating and loss of coolant. It's
>safe to say you lost coolant at some point - you had to refill - but when
>was the last time you checked the coolant level before this? It may have
>dropped over the course of months or even years. Since the coolant isn't
>disappearing now the other worries, like the condensation, really aren't
>significant. Even when the heater core leaks the condensation is water (the
>glycol is actually cooled by the fractional distillation of the water in the
>mix). It's also hard to miss the sweet antifreeze smell of a leaking
>radiator core.

You are asking all the right questions. That coolant was probably
getting to a dangerously low level even before that long commute
episode. Why do I think that? It is because when I think back now, the
radiator fan used to kick in after I stopped the car even after
relatively short drives and during cold weather. Now that I filled it
up with coolant, I don't see the electric fan starting up after
getting home in cold weather. Before this episode I thought it was
normal for the fan to kick in after getting to my garage, so I din't
pay much attention to the other factors, such as outside temperature
or how long the drive was. Now I notice it.

>If the coolant hasn't actually been changed recently, this is as good time
>as any. It should be refilled with genuine Honda premix. Replacing the
>thermostat with a Honda thermostat isn't a bad idea while that is being
>done. And just to cover another very important routine as long as your
>awareness is elevated: is the timing belt due for replacement? Your owner's
>manual will tell you how often it's due, and letting it go can cost you the
>engine.

I have been taking my car to a pretty good independent shop
specializing in all kinds of Japanese cars but I never thought of
insisting on genuine Honda antifreeze premix or thermostat. The only
thing I insist is Honda premium ATF and Castrol 5-30W oil. As the car
has been running pretty well, I figured I did not need more than that.

Timing belt replacement is called for every 90 K miles which I have
followed religiously. My next one is due after 30 K more miles.

JP