Overheating - Out of Ideas

[Chaos325]

My 91 accord is overheating ever since Tuesday when I topped off the coolant level. Overheats after about 30mins of driving or idling.

Fans are coming on and off running for about a 1-2 mins when idling.
Bleed system 4 times already.
Turn off car and the fans stay running and cool car down.
Changed all the relays new.
When overheating, both hoses are stiff as shit.
No leaks or coolant loss.
I checked the thermo a few weeks ago and it was okay.
Doesn't overheat but reach 70-90% on the gauge.

Out of the blue this happens, just for topping it off. I drained some coolant out and added some distilled water but still the same. I'm gonna drain the bitch all the way out and fill with new straight 50/50.

[cp[mike]]

at full operating temp (fans have come on), are both radiator hoses hot, or just the upper one?

are you losing coolant? notice any contaminations in the coolant (oil) ? any white smoke while idling/driving?

[93accordexcoupe]

try replacing the thermo, its a cheap part at auto zone. my car was doing the same thing. i was going to change everything in my coolant system, but i did the thermo and it worked

[Chaos325]

at full operating temp (fans have come on), are both radiator hoses hot, or just the upper one?

are you losing coolant? notice any contaminations in the coolant (oil) ? any white smoke while idling/driving?

Very at full fans do come on. Both hoses are piping hot and stiff.

No coolant lost, pure clean looking antifreeze. No white smoke and compression test was solid.

I'm starting to think that maybe I grabbed the wrong type of antifreeze and accidentally poured in pure anitfreeze.

[Chaos325]

try replacing the thermo, its a cheap part at auto zone. my car was doing the same thing. i was going to change everything in my coolant system, but i did the thermo and it worked

I might just have to do this, need my wagon back in shape for work tonight

[93accordexcoupe]

Very at full fans do come on. Both hoses are piping hot and stiff.

No coolant lost, pure clean looking antifreeze. No white smoke and compression test was solid.

I'm starting to think that maybe I grabbed the wrong type of antifreeze and accidentally poured in pure anitfreeze.

still have the bottle?

[Chaos325]

still have the bottle?

Nah, I trashed it since I was rushing while it was raining. I installed a new rad in my integra and topped off the accord right afterwards.

I forgot to mention the radiator and cap are brand new (2 months).

[NAiL05]

IF both his hoses are getting hot and are equal stiffness the thermo is doing its job. What type of coolant would you have used? Shoulda been green unless you used the Honda stuff. As mentioned after you reopen your cap does your coolant level drop and such. If you can get your hands on a pressure tester that would be the best. Worst case scenario is if everything is working could be your HG.

[Chaos325]

IF both his hoses are getting hot and are equal stiffness the thermo is doing its job. What type of coolant would you have used? Shoulda been green unless you used the Honda stuff. As mentioned after you reopen your cap does your coolant level drop and such. If you can get your hands on a pressure tester that would be the best. Worst case scenario is if everything is working could be your HG.

I don't recall, I grabbed a gallon from my basement. It was green though, wasn't official honda stuff.

When I check the coolant level after words its still the same.

[sirs1ayer]

i say bleed it and replace it with water/antifreeze 50/50.
if its not that, then its a bigger problem

[turboh22aakkord]

I don't recall, I grabbed a gallon from my basement. It was green though, wasn't official honda stuff.

When I check the coolant level after words its still the same.

you dont have a coolant tester?? that tells you the temperature the coolant is good for.... that would tell you right there weather or not you have all coolant in it or 50/50...

[WipLAsh]

i had the same thing in my car.try replacing the thermostat.also make shure it is not leaking coolant form anywhere.

[Shadow1]

like nail05 said. it might be your head gasket. or your water pump might be going bad. or in the best possible sanario. your temperture gauge might just be broke

[Chaos325]

like nail05 said. it might be your head gasket. or your water pump might be going bad. or in the best possible sanario. your temperture gauge might just be broke

Okay so I popped that hard-to-get hose that runs from the intake manifold to the thermostat housing. Of course no auto parts store has it, dealer only. I had to grab another molded hose and it worked.

Still overheated, I swapped out the thermostat with a cheap $4.00 one and it been holding fine for the last 2 hours.

[Chaos325]

still holding, worked today 63 miles and another 25 trip to pickup gf