Temp Gauge Question (Always Hot)

[IridiumCore]

My temp gauge shoots up to hot and fluctuates when the car is running.
Is any one else having this issue.

So far I have replaced the ECT Sensor and thermostat. I am about to replace the the radiator because the for some reason it keeps pushing coolant into the resevior causing it to overflow and spill.

So is this the cluster or my rad cause the false temp reading. ECU is not throwing any codes.

[s2cmpugh]

The ECT sensor only feeds information to the ECU, NOT the temp. guage on the dash. The dash guage is controlled by a seperate sensor located under the dizzy toward the front (radiator) of the motor. If I recall it's about the size of your pinky. You can test the guage using the directions in the Haynes manual.

If the gauge is saying hot as SOON as you turn the car on, my bet is either the sensor for the guage is bad OR the guage itself is shot.

if you are overflowing coolant, maybe you filled it up too high, or need a new radiator cap.

The sensor is fairly cheap, the guage unit is about $75 or $80 from Honda, and a new rad. cap is cheap too.

Hope this helps.

P.S. I had this same issue with my old old 92EX. It ended up being the guage itself b/c the dumbass before me used the incorrect guage for the cluster in the car (NS vs. Denso). You could also use a laser thermometer to check the temp. of the both the upper and lower radiator hoses. In my case the guage would read normal for a while, then shoot up to high, then back down after the fans cut on, then back up and so forth

[amateur_guy-cb7]

just make sure your engine doesnt start to smoke up
ha

[IridiumCore]

Sweet thanks. I'll look into this over the weekend. So the small pinky looking sensor huh. I think I got my haynes with me in the car.

[s2cmpugh]

Sweet thanks. I'll look into this over the weekend. So the small pinky looking sensor huh. I think I got my haynes with me in the car.

It's about the size of your pinky screwed into the block with an electrical connector coming out of it. It sits under the dizzy cap and might be a little cramped to get too. Don't over tighten it when you put it back, and I'd use some teflon tape to keep it sealed up good.

I'd test that first with your multimeter to see what reading you get, then there is also a procedure to test the actual gauge itself in the dash. I beleive Haynes has instructions for both.

[IridiumCore]

Yeah I just went and took a look at it. I might need to replace both, the sensor and cap & wire. When the dizzy was leaking it soaked the pair in oil. The inside of the cap is black with old oil. I could probally grab one from the JY and splice it in. My haynes isn't saying much about a temperature switch though (still looking)

[cloudasc]

I hate to be the burdon of bad news, and I hope its just the radiator cap that needs replacing, but if you have a known good radiator cap, it sounds like your headgasket is starting to go, and exhaust gasses are building up in your cooling system, which displace the coolant into the overflow bottle, and if you've ever noticed "disapearing coolant", its disapearing as it overflows your overflow bottle.

[IridiumCore]

I hate to be the burdon of bad news, and I hope its just the radiator cap that needs replacing, but if you have a known good radiator cap, it sounds like your headgasket is starting to go, and exhaust gasses are building up in your cooling system, which displace the coolant into the overflow bottle, and if you've ever noticed "disapearing coolant", its disapearing as it overflows your overflow bottle.

LMAO, as serious as it is that my friend is exactly what is happening. The radiator does need to be replaced. If I take a pic you all will laugh till you split a gut. the posts for the upper brackets are missing and its held in place by a hose. She definately overflows the overflow.

Well I'll keep her going as long as I can. This is just another reason for a h22 swap. What would I be looking at price wise for the head gasket replacement by a shop, upwards of $1000?

[cloudasc]

If you do not have the head sent to the machine shop, and do a straight gasket replacement, my mechanic quotes $500 and that includes a Stone/Ishino (Honda OEM) head gasket set, valve-cover gasket, and whatever other gaskets that may be required. Machine Shop to resurface, clean and valve job should be about $2-300. Its always a good idea to shop around, and for shits and giggles you should ask your local honda dealership to see the high end cost of things, but I wouldn't take your car to them to have it fixed because its sure to cost you both arms and legs.

[IridiumCore]

If you do not have the head sent to the machine shop, and do a straight gasket replacement, my mechanic quotes $500 and that includes a Stone/Ishino (Honda OEM) head gasket set, valve-cover gasket, and whatever other gaskets that may be required. Machine Shop to resurface, clean and valve job should be about $2-300. Its always a good idea to shop around, and for shits and giggles you should ask your local honda dealership to see the high end cost of things, but I wouldn't take your car to them to have it fixed because its sure to cost you both arms and legs.

See that's crazy. We'll see if holds out a little longer for the heart (h22 swap) transplant.

[s2cmpugh]

See that's crazy. We'll see if holds out a little longer for the heart (h22 swap) transplant.

I agree with that! Seems almost cheaper and better in the long run to get a newer, better, lower mileage motor.

Don't forget the F22B DOHC!!!

[IridiumCore]

I've been wanting it for a minute. I guess the car is just giving more of reason to do so. After all my research I'm still at a stalemate for a decision on the h22, h23, and the f20b. My time frame for the purchase is getting closer though. I need to go on and start collecting the additional parts and start with a new radiator and header.

[leave eye]

That was happeing to me and i just put a new thermostate in you might need a new radiator.

[IridiumCore]

That was happeing to me and i just put a new thermostate in you might need a new radiator.

I put in a new thermostat, ECT sensor, and my next step is the rad. I hoping everything stops there. In the event it does, time table for the swap will be pushed up.

[cloudasc]

See that's crazy. We'll see if holds out a little longer for the heart (h22 swap) transplant.

Realistically, you can do it for cheaper by doing it yourself, and using cheaper parts, that was the price for "doing it right". Labor after parts in my scenario is only about $300. The headgasket set is $150. Whatever route you do go, I wish you good luck, and post pictures of it as you go along / finish it!