92 prelude overheating at idle - Honda Prelude Forum

Marfiahitman · 03-19-2009, 03:42 PM

Hey, i have a 92 prelude 4WS.
when im in idle, like at a stop light or a ATM, the temperature shoots up.
but it doesnt do everyday. sometime it wont "get hot" at all.
can somebody tell me what going on?

Tee-Dot · 03-19-2009, 03:48 PM

Could be a number of things.

1. Check/replace thermostat
2. Check under car and around engine bay for puddles.
3. Once car has reached normal operating temp, check radiator hoses. Are they both hot?

darkstar67 · 03-19-2009, 04:52 PM

air in coolant. bleed the coolant.

Marfiahitman · 03-19-2009, 08:49 PM

k - blacklude..
i checked everything but #1.
2,3 or fine everything is working fine.
but i was talking to a friend of mine who races cars, and he said he doesn't even have a thermostat.
so if it IS a thermostat problem, i dont need to worry about right away, right?

ps. i know that the coolant is going through the engine, cause i had to replace two hoses in the car already cause they were old and busted while i was drving.

darkstar - and if there was air in the coolant, how is that possible, i mean you cant pump out your raidiator like you can your brakes.
i dont mean to sound stupid, i just dont know too much about cars.. haha

Tee-Dot · 03-19-2009, 08:59 PM

If it's a thermostat issue, you DEFINITELY need to address it.

Marfiahitman · 03-19-2009, 09:20 PM

okay, i'll have it checked out.
how much am i lookin at spending in order to fix it?

Tee-Dot · 03-19-2009, 09:22 PM

Thermostats are cheap. Usually ten bucks or less...

Marfiahitman · 03-19-2009, 09:26 PM

so, how much labor would it be?
my friend said they were a pain to put on

Tee-Dot · 03-19-2009, 09:27 PM

Your friend is an idiot. It's easy.

Marfiahitman · 03-19-2009, 09:36 PM

well, to me it didnt seem like it be a lot of work.

well.. thanx for the info

mooncaller · 03-19-2009, 09:49 PM

As for how air in the radiator happens without an apparent leak... and not necessarily saying this is your issue...

But what can happen is that you somehow due to road damage end up with a pinhole puncture in the radiator's piping. Air is sucked in and causes air pockets which cause spikes in the temperature.

We had it detected for our Subaru via a high pressure diagnostic done by our dealer. I don't know how you would detect one otherwise. And I have no idea how much it would cost because it was under warranty at the time.

Anyways, that's about it.

- Corey

Marfiahitman · 03-20-2009, 12:52 PM

ooo i see..
i dont think it would be that, cause i just replaced a few hoses that ran coolant through them.
my hoses kept poping while i was drving.. it got annoying. haha

darkstar67 · 03-20-2009, 06:19 PM

well maybe there is still air in the system. Sometimes it will cause idle surge when air hits the temperature sensor. but there is a bleeder screw right next to your themostat housing..

Marfiahitman · 03-20-2009, 06:36 PM

okay, ill have to check that out.
but just where excatly is that?

G_Loc · 03-21-2009, 06:31 AM

Do the fans come on?

Marfiahitman · 03-21-2009, 09:31 AM

yes, they do.
but i've only seen one come on at a time, my friend siad the other comes on when you turn on the AC

darkstar67 · 03-21-2009, 01:09 PM

where is the thermostat housing?
ok, look at your top radiator hose.
it will go to the head.
look exacly on the other side of the head, behind the coil.
thats the thermostat housing.
it should have another hose running out the side of it and a metal water pipe running underneath the intake.
the bleeder valve will look almost exact to a brake bleeder valve but its a 12mm.
look up how to bleed it because i dont feel like writing much more.

Marfiahitman · 03-21-2009, 08:17 PM

okay cool, i'll have to look at it tomorrow cause its dark outside