Honda Car Forum

I have a 95 Accord which starts to run hot after about 15 to 20
minutes of driving on the freeway. It runs at normal temperature on
surface streets. I know for sure that the fans are working properly.

I’ve taken it to 2 mechanics and one says it’s the main fan motor and
possibly the thermostat. The other mechanic thinks the radiator needs
to be replaced due to a clog, and if not that, then it is most likely
the head gasket leaking. I’m really confused here. Any help would be
greatly appreciated.

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pinkfloyd wrote:
> I have a 95 Accord which starts to run hot after about 15 to 20
> minutes of driving on the freeway. It runs at normal temperature on
> surface streets. I know for sure that the fans are working properly.
>
> I�ve taken it to 2 mechanics and one says it�s the main fan motor and
> possibly the thermostat. The other mechanic thinks the radiator needs
> to be replaced due to a clog, and if not that, then it is most likely
> the head gasket leaking. I�m really confused here. Any help would be
> greatly appreciated.
>
take it for a run on the freeway. when it's hot, open the hood and look
in the coolant expansion bottle. if you see bubbles, it's head gasket.
if not, you can get it tested to be sure. if it's not head, go for
thermostat and radiator, in that order. but before all that, make sure
coolant level is ok - both in the radiator and the expansion bottle.

"pinkfloyd" <none@000.com> wrote in message
news:965002_e0d918b8d5f7b207ad5d229ebae4e321@autob oardz.com...
>I have a 95 Accord which starts to run hot after about 15 to 20
> minutes of driving on the freeway. It runs at normal temperature on
> surface streets. I know for sure that the fans are working properly.
>
> I've taken it to 2 mechanics and one says it's the main fan motor and
> possibly the thermostat. The other mechanic thinks the radiator needs
> to be replaced due to a clog, and if not that, then it is most likely
> the head gasket leaking. I'm really confused here. Any help would be
> greatly appreciated.
>
>
Jim beam's advice is solid. I'd add that I suspect the radiator more than
the thermostat because the heat builds up, but that assumes it isn't the
head gasket.

My own head gasket test is more sensitive but has the disadvantage that the
leak may not be as obvious when cold. I test with a cold engine by removing
the radiator cap and starting the engine. I pinch off the overflow tube and
put the palm of my hand over the radiator opening for a few seconds.
Steadily rising pressure or (worse) pulsations indicate a head gasket
failure.

If either jim's test or mine indicate trouble, shops can do chemical tests
for hydrocarbons in the coolant to confirm the problem.

Mike

pinkfloyd <none@000.com> wrote in news:965002
_e0d918b8d5f7b207ad5d229ebae4e321@autoboardz.com:

> I have a 95 Accord which starts to run hot after about 15 to 20
> minutes of driving on the freeway. It runs at normal temperature on
> surface streets. I know for sure that the fans are working properly.
>
> I’ve taken it to 2 mechanics and one says it’s the main fan motor and
> possibly the thermostat. The other mechanic thinks the radiator needs
> to be replaced due to a clog, and if not that, then it is most likely
> the head gasket leaking. I’m really confused here. Any help would be
> greatly appreciated.
>



If it runs fine on city street but not on the highway, it's most likely a
clogged rad.

A test: Next time it starts to overheat, turn the car's interior heater on
full-hot, along with the fan on full-blast. Does this make the needle go
down? If so, the rad isn't cooling properly.

One thing to check is the fins at the bottom of the rad. If they corrode
and turn to dust, the rad will be unable to shed heat efficiently.

--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Thank you for the great and very helpful replies. I am going to try
the things recommended here. Also, the mechanic that thinks it’s the
radiator, says that since the radiator is plastic, it needs to be
replaced. It cannot be flushed. Is this correct?

Since I have never had to do so, what would be the best place to start
to find a shop that can do the chemical test for hydrocarbons in the
coolant

"Michael Pardee" wrote
> "pinkfloyd" <none@000.com> wrote in message
> news:965002_e0d918b8d5f7b207ad5d229ebae4e321@autob oardz.com...
> >I have a 95 Accord which starts to run hot after about 15 to
> 20
> > minutes of driving on the freeway. It runs at normal
> temperature on
> > surface streets. I know for sure that the fans are working
> properly.
> >
> > I've taken it to 2 mechanics and one says it's the main fan
> motor and
> > possibly the thermostat. The other mechanic thinks the
> radiator needs
> > to be replaced due to a clog, and if not that, then it is
> most likely
> > the head gasket leaking. I'm really confused here. Any help
> would be
> > greatly appreciated.
> >
> >
> Jim beam's advice is solid. I'd add that I suspect the
> radiator more than
> the thermostat because the heat builds up, but that assumes it
> isn't the
> head gasket.
>
> My own head gasket test is more sensitive but has the
> disadvantage that the
> leak may not be as obvious when cold. I test with a cold
> engine by removing
> the radiator cap and starting the engine. I pinch off the
> overflow tube and
> put the palm of my hand over the radiator opening for a few
> seconds.
> Steadily rising pressure or (worse) pulsations indicate a head
> gasket
> failure.
>
> If either jim's test or mine indicate trouble, shops can do
> chemical tests
> for hydrocarbons in the coolant to confirm the problem.
>
> Mike

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Today I checked every recommendation posted.

First I tried the cold method to check for possibility of bad head
gasket. I pinched the reservoir hose, and placed my palm on the
radiator opening. I did not feel any pulsating.

Second, after a long drive on the freeway, when I stopped, I checked
the reservoir, and there were no bubbles.

Third, while driving on the freeway back home, when the car started to
heat up, I turned on the heater full blast, and the temp cooled down
right away.

"pinkfloyd" wrote:
> Thank you for the great and very helpful replies. I am going
> to try the things recommended here. Also, the mechanic that
> thinks it's the radiator, says that since the radiator is
> plastic, it needs to be replaced. It cannot be flushed. Is
> this correct?
>
> Since I have never had to do so, what would be the best place
> to start to find a shop that can do the chemical test for
> hydrocarbons in the coolant?

pinkfloyd <none@000.com> wrote in news:965321
_bbd9486094e485fede355cb837e57234@0000.com:

> Today I checked every recommendation posted.
>
> First I tried the cold method to check for possibility of bad head
> gasket. I pinched the reservoir hose, and placed my palm on the
> radiator opening. I did not feel any pulsating.
>
> Second, after a long drive on the freeway, when I stopped, I checked
> the reservoir, and there were no bubbles.
>
> Third, while driving on the freeway back home, when the car started to
> heat up, I turned on the heater full blast, and the temp cooled down
> right away.



Then your rad is internally blocked (or the fins have fallen off).


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Tegger <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote in
news:Xns98BBBE00C4F5Ftegger@207.14.116.130:

> pinkfloyd <none@000.com> wrote in news:965321
> _bbd9486094e485fede355cb837e57234@0000.com:
>
>> Today I checked every recommendation posted.
>>
>> First I tried the cold method to check for possibility of bad head
>> gasket. I pinched the reservoir hose, and placed my palm on the
>> radiator opening. I did not feel any pulsating.
>>
>> Second, after a long drive on the freeway, when I stopped, I checked
>> the reservoir, and there were no bubbles.
>>
>> Third, while driving on the freeway back home, when the car started to
>> heat up, I turned on the heater full blast, and the temp cooled down
>> right away.
>
>
>
> Then your rad is internally blocked (or the fins have fallen off).
>
>

First put a new Honda thermostat in it.Not some aftermarket TS,a real Honda
TS.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

Jim Yanik <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in
news:Xns98BBC9816FB52jyanikkuanet@64.209.0.86:

> Tegger <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote in
> news:Xns98BBBE00C4F5Ftegger@207.14.116.130:
>
>> pinkfloyd <none@000.com> wrote in news:965321
>> _bbd9486094e485fede355cb837e57234@0000.com:
>>
>>> Today I checked every recommendation posted.
>>>
>>> First I tried the cold method to check for possibility of bad head
>>> gasket. I pinched the reservoir hose, and placed my palm on the
>>> radiator opening. I did not feel any pulsating.
>>>
>>> Second, after a long drive on the freeway, when I stopped, I checked
>>> the reservoir, and there were no bubbles.
>>>
>>> Third, while driving on the freeway back home, when the car started
>>> to heat up, I turned on the heater full blast, and the temp cooled
>>> down right away.
>>
>>
>>
>> Then your rad is internally blocked (or the fins have fallen off).
>>
>>
>
> First put a new Honda thermostat in it.Not some aftermarket TS,a real
> Honda TS.
>



It's not his thermostat. I'm sure of that.

--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

"Tegger" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote in message
news:Xns98BBCB1FB5862tegger@207.14.116.130...
> Jim Yanik <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in
> news:Xns98BBC9816FB52jyanikkuanet@64.209.0.86:
>
> > Tegger <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote in
> > news:Xns98BBBE00C4F5Ftegger@207.14.116.130:
> >
> >> pinkfloyd <none@000.com> wrote in news:965321
> >> _bbd9486094e485fede355cb837e57234@0000.com:
> >>
> >>> Today I checked every recommendation posted.
> >>>
> >>> First I tried the cold method to check for possibility of bad head
> >>> gasket. I pinched the reservoir hose, and placed my palm on the
> >>> radiator opening. I did not feel any pulsating.
> >>>
> >>> Second, after a long drive on the freeway, when I stopped, I checked
> >>> the reservoir, and there were no bubbles.
> >>>
> >>> Third, while driving on the freeway back home, when the car started
> >>> to heat up, I turned on the heater full blast, and the temp cooled
> >>> down right away.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Then your rad is internally blocked (or the fins have fallen off).
> >>
> >>
> >
> > First put a new Honda thermostat in it.Not some aftermarket TS,a real
> > Honda TS.
> >
>
>
>
> It's not his thermostat. I'm sure of that.
>
> --
> Tegger
[snipped]

Could be it is not opening all the way causing the temp to run hot. Using
the heater as a mini radiator helps to lower the temp. Of course that would
also work if the radiator was partially blocked.