Overheating, what the heck! 89 Acura Integra (Page 1/1)
jimbolaya DEC 06, 11:31 AM
89 acura Integra. I had symptoms of the car starting to overheating while in traffic, but the heat and defrost blowing cold. It never red lined, but it concerned me, so I I started to investigate. First, I checked coolant, and it was at the proper level. Second, I made sure the the fan was blowing on the radiator properly, check. Next I replaced the radiator cap, since it was the simplest next thing to do, and inexpensive. It appeared that this might have done it, but two weeks later the symptoms came back. That brings me to today. It is 75* here and I figured I would tackle the t-stat before winter set in. I replace the thermostat. Another inexpensive thing to do, but not that easy considering where it is located. One bolt was a real pain to get out. No room to work. Well I just finished getting it back in and topping off the lost coolant, and the sucker red lines almost immediately. What else could be wrong other than the dreaded possibility that Advance sold me either a defective t-stat or the wrong one? Air bubble? Coolant temp sending unit? I am frustrated. I really have no time to replace this again, and it goes back to being cold tomorrow, and I start working 6 days for the next 2 months. This is my daily driver.

Jim
jimbolaya DEC 06, 01:29 PM
Well I figured this one out on my own, and a little help from youtube. Haynes manual just says to add antifreeze to the overfill bottle, that is wrong. I had to add it to the radiator, and open a bleeder screw at the same time. When the bleeder screw starts leaking coolant, then it's full. I replaced about 3/4 of a gallon, and I didn't lose nowhere near that when replacing the t-stat. I was actually low on coolant all along, even though overflow bottle showed correct amount, and probably didn't need to replace the t-stat, but it's done now.

Jim.
thesameguy DEC 06, 04:26 PM
It's possible you have a leak. Obviously the missing coolant went somewhere, but additionally the overflow bottle is designed to replenish the system when the engine cools. The fact that the overflow was full and the system low indicates a leak that causes the system to suck air when cooling down instead of coolant from the overflow. I'd keep my eye on that.

[This message has been edited by thesameguy (edited 12-06-2013).]

jimbolaya DEC 06, 08:40 PM

quote
Originally posted by thesameguy:

It's possible you have a leak. Obviously the missing coolant went somewhere, but additionally the overflow bottle is designed to replenish the system when the engine cools. The fact that the overflow was full and the system low indicates a leak that causes the system to suck air when cooling down instead of coolant from the overflow. I'd keep my eye on that.




I think you are right. The leak may have been around the t-stat. The old gasket was pretty roached. If there is a leak, it was apparently a slow one, and that is a good spot. Any weeping, would have burned off the engine, where it is located.

Jim
Khw DEC 07, 12:40 AM
Glad you got it figured out .