i replaced the radiator about two months ago and everything's been running smooth since. i started it today after it sat for about 3 days and i noticed there wasn't any heat coming out the vents, then the thermometer was going into the red. I WAS PISSED!! i just dumped $200 into the radiator and having it put in and now it's giving me hell again. I really don't want to lose this car. I sort of like it and i don't have the money to do anything else, so any help/advice would be great. i did notice that fluid was leaking near the sensor at the bottom of the radiator when i was having it installed, but the leak was very slow and the radiator doesn't seem to be losing ANY coolant now that it's been replaced.

i also noticed that when i got really pissed off and floored it down a backroad (while it was still in the red) the needle immediately leveled back out (or went back into the cool zone), but then went right back to hot once i slowed back down at idle speed for a couple of minutes. WTF and how much is this going to cost!!!!!!!!!

3/11/2011 10:15:35 AM

Did you let this car run good and hot a couple of times before you replaced the radiator? These engines don't respond really well to being overheated multiple times. I believe the C32's block is the usual Honda open deck aluminum block, with no upper support of the liners at the deck surface...the cooling passages are open. Not the best scenario for maintaining head gasket integrity if subjected to a lot of thermal abuse.

3/11/2011 10:53:43 AM

yeah. it did run hot a few times. over the course of about a month. i kept adding coolant/water to keep the temp down. i don't think there's a gasket leak. i prob would have seen some smoke or vapor coming up. everything looks solid under the hood.

it's the C32. i'm thinking it might be a sensor--the one that looked like it was leaking when the radiator was installed. i had a nissan tech install the thing. he said he'd install the sensor for free if i was willing to buy the part, so here it goes.

3/11/2011 11:20:35 AM

pressure test for leaks for first. you can rent a tester at Advance Auto. then check/replace thermostat if you can't find anything.

3/11/2011 11:22:37 AM

btw what do you mean the cooling passages r open?

3/11/2011 11:23:30 AM

What he means is you are a first class idiot for letting it overheat multiple times.

3/11/2011 11:42:04 AM

Quote :

" nissan tech install "

O Boy.

You're brave.

3/11/2011 11:54:25 AM

Quote :

" i don't think there's a gasket leak. i prob would have seen some smoke or vapor coming up. everything looks solid under the hood."

If you're losing coolant slowly through a small head gasket leak, you won't see shit. Superheated steam in small quantities is almost completely undetectable by sight. And just because everything looks good under the hood doesn't mean it IS good.

Do like arghx says and do a pressure test.

Quote :

"btw what do you mean the cooling passages r open?"

Most aluminum block engines have an open deck, meaning that, unlike a cast iron engine, which has coolant holes cast into the deck for transfer of coolant from block passages to head, the entire coolant jacket is open. The cylinders and liners are supported at the bottom only. It looks like the cylinders are islands in the coolant jacket. The head provides some clamping support at the top, but that's it. This is why a lot of high performance builders include a cylinder support girdle that slips in between the cylinders and block at the top...for more lateral support.


[Edited on March 11, 2011 at 12:47 PM. Reason : blah blah blah]

3/11/2011 12:30:54 PM

just google Acura Legend and head gasket.

The C32 is known for headgasket issues

3/11/2011 1:09:05 PM

basically what is happening is at idle air from inside the cylinder is getting into the coolant system. When it gets around the temp sensor, it causes the sensor to think the engine is very very hot (look at your gauge). When u floor the car, the water pump spins fast and pushes the air around, coolant hits the sensor, gauge says the car is cool.

Basically you need a head gasket kit, timing belt kit, and water pump. It would be cheaper just to do a motor swap.

3/11/2011 1:11:43 PM

idk

i'm getting the guy that installed it to take a look. hoping it's just a sensor or a relay or something. there's no coolant leak. there's not a wet spot on top or under the car. the name of the sensor was the BMD or something. think that might be it, but i'm not a mechanic at all.

if there was a coolant leak, my resevoir would be dry. radiator is as full as it was 2-3 months ago.
[Edited on March 11, 2011 at 5:12 PM. Reason : bbbbbb]

[Edited on March 11, 2011 at 5:14 PM. Reason : lllllllll]

3/11/2011 5:10:18 PM

You have air in your coolant system. Its either from a head gasket leak or who ever did your radiator didnt fill it up good and bleed the system. Or it could be that you are low on coolant.

3/11/2011 5:13:39 PM

well how can i bleed out the air?!?!?!

i'll agree, i was getting purdy impatient around the end of the install. do i just run the car with the cap open or what?!?!?!

3/11/2011 5:15:35 PM

Jesus fucking Christ. Google.

3/11/2011 8:40:20 PM

okay. there must be a leak.

yeah, i could have googled. i don't have internet readily available.

i checked the coolant. it was half a gallon low, so i'm losing it somewhere the dripp is coming from the bottom of the radiator i don't know fuck i hate my life.

3/11/2011 10:31:34 PM

Yes that's because its going into the motor. Its junk bro

3/12/2011 1:39:45 PM

prepare $1000 for head gasket job

3/13/2011 12:42:16 PM