My accord begins overheating (i think) after driving for acouple miles, the temp gauge goes all the way up. I turn on the heat and the heat is unusually hot, i turn the temp to cold and the temp is still pretty hot. Anyone know what I should check or what the issue might be? Is there a common overheating issue with this model accord?

thanks,
Albie.

If your temperature gauge is all the way up, you're definitely overheating. Does this happen at idle? on the freeway?

this has happened previously about a year ago and my mechanic replaced the temp sensor. could it possibly just be another bad temp sensor? the temp only goes up to max once the car is warmed up.

are you getting steam from the radiator?

this has happened previously about a year ago and my mechanic replaced the temp sensor. could it possibly just be another bad temp sensor? the temp only goes up to max once the car is warmed up.

Yes, it could be a bad sensor. First, check and see if the upper radiator hose is hot and if the fans turn on when the car starts to warm up. If the temp gauge is accurate however, you don't want to let the car get anywhere near that max temp.

Chimichurri00:

Since you provide essentially no background information as to what maintenance you've done to your '93, it's pretty much anyone's guess. Let me suggest the following:

1) Replace the engine thermostat. I strongly recommend an OEM HONDA thermostat.
2) Drain and flush your cooling system. Refill it with HONDA Type 2 coolant.

Do NOT mix different brands of engine coolant! Given their chemical differences, you are potentially setting yourself up for a disaster! You could wipe out the radiator, the head gasket, and (possibly worst of all) the heater core. Replacing the heater core on most Hondas is an onerous (read, EXPENSIVE) chore.

On the older cars (I specifically mean Generation Four and back), regular cooling system service (IMO) is very critical. On these cars, the thermostats can be problematic; the center pin corrodes out, causing the thermostat to stick shut, in it's (default) closed position. (I speak from the voice of personal experience. See my recent posts elsewhere in the 6th Gen forum.) I strongly recommend that you have your cooling system serviced every two to three years.

HMC had a thermostat design change on the later cars (circa Gen 6 and forward). They are not as prone to fail.

Since your temperature gauge is indicating an overheating issue, ostensibly it is functioning correctly. (We shall ASSUME that, for the moment.) And, I shall ASSUME you are getting radiator fan(s) engagement, at some point. (On my '86, I get a "fan kick" at approximately 182-to-188 F.)

While performing (my suggested) Steps One and Two may not solve your problem, they certainly won't hurt, either. Let us pray you don't have a really SERIOUS problem...such as a blown head gasket. That will definitely cost a big chunk of $$$$.

Robert Warden
BSME (retired)

**********************************
1986 Accord Hatchback, LX-i, 5-speed, Misty Beige Metallic over Silky Red (216K miles)
VIN: 1HGBA5348GA167648
2002 Accord Coupe, LX, V6, Satin Silver over Charcoal (81K miles)
VIN: 1HGCG224X2A011655

I'd replace the thermostat. My accord did that too, and the thermostat was the problem. It's easy. 5 or 6 bucks and a 12 mm wrench (I believe) is all you need.

more than likely its your thermostat but it could be a number of things such as a blown head gasket(worse case ), radiator fan(s) might not be working, no coolant, radiator cap could be bad and not let out enough pressure, a leak in your radiator. it could be a number of things easiest starting with just simply checking your coolant and replacing thermostat or cap, but then it could be more serious like a head gasket. most of the time its something simple i hope this info helps out a lil

Check if the upper and lower radiator hoses are hot. If the upper is hot and lower is cold, then you may have a clogged radiator. If the upper is cold, then the thermostat is not opening. When replacing it, you do not have to use Honda coolant. Prestone coolant will do just fine because most coolants now days are mutli vehicle therefore they will not damage anything.

Russiankid:

You are flatly WRONG about engine coolants!

The chemical composition is different, based upon its type (Ethylene Glycol, OAT, HOAT, etc.) and can also vary from brand to brand.

Honda and Toyota (and others) have specifically stated that they do NOT recommend the use of GM Dex-Cool (red/orange) in any of their engines!

Anyone who mixes incompatible types of coolant? You are playing with DYNAMITE!

Ok, since this threads about overheating already exists, I will ask my question here. Sorry if I thread jack to the OP.

I bought a 1991 Accord, it was fine for about 2 months, then it started to overheat. I replaced everything like the thermostat and flushed the system. Well, I did an oil chnge and had the dreaded milky oil. My head gasket went bad.

I took it upon myself to do the job since it was no big deal. Go it ripped apart, took the head to a machine shop and had the head cut just to be on the safe side, that and had a bit of a warp.

Went and bought a head gasket and cleaned the block surface. Installed it per the FSM instructions to the T. Got it back together, did another oil change, drained and flushed the coolant one more time. Go it started and BAM, perfect.

Well, here comes my dilemma, I drove it and it did good, but the only freaking problem is that after couple of miles, the stupid car starts overheating again!!!!!!!! I got it back home, drained and refilled the coolant system per the FSM again and even went to the parts store and bought another thermostat.

Let it idle, then turned on the AC, well, the mo'fo temp needle started to chase the red and started to overheat again. WTF!? Anyone have any ideas?

Also on a side note, after I did the coolant flush and refill, my S light for the transmission flashes. I am taking a stab in the dark and saying that that might be a cause of something on the transmission getting wet, right? It wasn't on before up unil I did flush and refill this time around.

Please help, I am at my wits end and don't know what else to do. HELP!!!!!

-Carlos

Chimichurri00:

Since you provide essentially no background information as to what maintenance you've done to your '93, it's pretty much anyone's guess. Let me suggest the following:

1) Replace the engine thermostat. I strongly recommend an OEM HONDA thermostat.
2) Drain and flush your cooling system. Refill it with HONDA Type 2 coolant.

Do NOT mix different brands of engine coolant! Given their chemical differences, you are potentially setting yourself up for a disaster! You could wipe out the radiator, the head gasket, and (possibly worst of all) the heater core. Replacing the heater core on most Hondas is an onerous (read, EXPENSIVE) chore.

On the older cars (I specifically mean Generation Four and back), regular cooling system service (IMO) is very critical. On these cars, the thermostats can be problematic; the center pin corrodes out, causing the thermostat to stick shut, in it's (default) closed position. (I speak from the voice of personal experience. See my recent posts elsewhere in the 6th Gen forum.) I strongly recommend that you have your cooling system serviced every two to three years.

HMC had a thermostat design change on the later cars (circa Gen 6 and forward). They are not as prone to fail.

Since your temperature gauge is indicating an overheating issue, ostensibly it is functioning correctly. (We shall ASSUME that, for the moment.) And, I shall ASSUME you are getting radiator fan(s) engagement, at some point. (On my '86, I get a "fan kick" at approximately 182-to-188 F.)

While performing (my suggested) Steps One and Two may not solve your problem, they certainly won't hurt, either. Let us pray you don't have a really SERIOUS problem...such as a blown head gasket. That will definitely cost a big chunk of $$$$.

Robert Warden
BSME (retired)

**********************************
1986 Accord Hatchback, LX-i, 5-speed, Misty Beige Metallic over Silky Red (216K miles)
VIN: 1HGBA5348GA167648
2002 Accord Coupe, LX, V6, Satin Silver over Charcoal (81K miles)
VIN: 1HGCG224X2A011655
I agree with everything this member states. I'd also look at Redline Water Wetter. It drops the water temp even more. For now turn on a/c and put temp at hot. It'll take hot air off the engine while also keeping it cooler due to the a/c cutting the 2nd radiator fan on. Just my added .02 to what our fellow DA.net family member had to say..;).

Hondalude89:

Simple and to the point: Your machine shop likely cut too much off when they resurfaced your cylinder head.

Per my (various) Honda shop manuals, up to ~.007 - .008" (seven to eight thousandths of one inch) is okay. But that is the MAX amount allowable. Anything beyond that to get the head surface linear (flat)? REPLACE the cylinder head.

With an aluminum head, you will naturally incur some warpage, over time, vis-a-vis thermal cycling. A LIGHT resurfacing (clean up) cut is okay. But most anything at, and especially beyond, the service limit WILL cause the engine to overheat! :yes:

Bear in mind that, when you shave the head, you are raising compression ratio, thus increasing combustion temperature. The additional heat is transferred from the engine (head/block water jackets) directly to the cooling system. :)

My dealer does NOT resurface warped heads, only replace them with OEM new. Reason? They had too many "comebacks" with owners complaining about overheating issues. :(

This also explains WHY I replaced the head on my trusty '86 with a NEW one. My machinist said it needed a .010"+ to clean up. And I said FORGET IT. :thumbsdow

Also, FORGET about switching to a lower-rated (cooler) thermostat. I might add that, with the additional compression, you're going to have to play around with the distributor, involving non-spec ignition timing, to deal with probable "ping" (detonation) issues. And you will likely be forced to use only "Premium" grade gasoline.

To avoid all the headaches and heartaches described above? Get a NEW cylinder head! :thmsup: :D

And BTW, I am ASSUMING the top surface of your engine BLOCK is OK. :dunno:

Just a guess but maybe using an oem t-stat may help the overheating. Its a lot simpler than taking it apart again. Many problems have resulted in using after market stats. Get the oem one.

I agree go to a factory original from the dealer thermostat. I speak from experiences.here. Weird but true.

Just a guess but maybe using an oem t-stat may help the overheating. Its a lot simpler than taking it apart again. Many problems have resulted in using after market stats. Get the oem one.

+2 :thmsup::)