Slightly Overheating

[Mario]

Hey guys, on the 94 Accord I am starting to have a slight overheating issue. While waiting this morning for about 15-20 minutes in a parking lot, I look down and the temperature gauge was at the halfway mark. Radiator and thermostat were replaced just over a year ago. I'll check fluid level at home when the car cools down. The car doesn't show any signs of running warm while moving, and even at a red light it seems fine. Thoughts on what this could be? The thermostat was bad when I replaced it last year.. just a luck of the draw that this one is bad too? Any further way to diagnose this? Thanks!

[sirtef9]

Does your fan turn on?

[Mario]

Fan turns on, in fact when I cut the car the fan stayed on, so it's working properly. The A/C fan works as well.

[303Mike]

possible bad thermostat or lazy fan switch.

[Autosec5280]

Could be a clogged radiator... Even if its newer. I had a crx do it.

[Mario]

Thanks guys. I'll check the fluid tomorrow, I'm hoping it's just low on fluid and that's what is causing it to rise.

How would I go about checking the radiator if it's clogged?

[HONDA GHANDI]

Halfway on the gauge is normal in hot climates. 3/4 or more is an actual overheating issue. Check the water level when it is cold anyway just to be safe.

[Mario]

Halfway on the gauge is normal in hot climates. 3/4 or more is an actual overheating issue. Check the water level when it is cold anyway just to be safe.

Thanks Daddy.. :p I'm just worried because it happened at 9a this morning.. it was maybe 75* at most. :(

I'll report back on the water level tomorrow morning, thanks!

[12seccivy]

Thanks guys. I'll check the fluid tomorrow, I'm hoping it's just low on fluid and that's what is causing it to rise.

How would I go about checking the radiator if it's clogged?
The only way that I know of is to fully warm the vehicle up(thermostat open)
and check the temperature at the inlet and outlet of the radiator.It should have a minimum of 15 degrees difference.
Hotter on top cooler on bottom.
If it's less then the radiator is not working good enough.

[Mario]

Well I pulled the radiator cap, and this is what I saw:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f6/mariomasitti/Misc%20Pics/radiator.jpg

Would a normal coolant flush get rid of this junk? Or is there an additive I can put in? Do I go as far as replacing the radiator??

[303Mike]

Well your coolant is sneaky like a NINJA. First you see it then it's GONE... Damn you ninja coolant!

[Mario]

Well your coolant is sneaky like a NINJA. First you see it then it's GONE... Damn you ninja coolant!

Must... be... smarter... than... the... COOLANT! :smoker:

[Kwando]

wouldn't hurt to put some water wetter in while you top it off and bleed the air bubbles out.

[jackmode9316]

You can buy radiator flush that basically goes in mixed with water. It supposedly cleans all that crap out of there. Shops actually have a machine to do it most of the time, which is alot more convienient considering its a bitch to get rid of antifreeze.

[HONDA GHANDI]

someone jacked your coolant!

[jackmode9316]

someone jacked your coolant!

But it tastes so gooooood! :bounce:

[Brandon]

someone jacked your coolant!

Let's just hope he doesn't notice the missing gas every once in awhile.