"John Paul" <jp_invalid@freemail.hu> wrote in message
news:s6d6r2ljb45gat32g312c31rh24918ldqh@4ax.com...
> 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. ;-)
>
That's the Elephant Containment Unit <8^P No, wait! It's the Engine
Control Unit. Honda tucked it under the driver's seat for you (I believe
that's where it is in the '94 Accord) because they needed someplace to put
it. If it gets wet it is usually ruined, and that is the main reason for
having to replace the ECU. The symptoms range from running very badly to not
running at all, so you're in good shape on that.

>>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

That's really good to hear. I always get a sinking feeling when somebody
posts about their engine suddenly misbehaving or quitting and then they
reveal the timing belt is the original.

The Honda coolant is not as critical as the power steering fluid or the ATF,
but it's pretty cheap insurance against water pump seal trouble. Being
premixed, there is also no concern about it being diluted with tap water,
which is a very bad idea. Aftermarket thermostats, on the other hand, have
earned a reputation for flaky operation. I gave up on them about a decade
ago.

Mike