coolant reservoir boiling, and steaming - Honda Prelude Forum

Marfiahitman · 08-27-2009, 01:17 PM

so today i notice a bubbling sound when i got out of the car, so then when i opened the hood i saw that the coolant reservoir was boiling and steaming, and it smelt really weird... the part that makes me nervous about this is the fact that it falls under the blown head gasket category.. BUT i just got mine replaced like 3 months ago. so im hoping its not that.. so when it cools down i am going to check my coolant level, cause my friends integra did the same thing when his was low. and im probably gonna replace the radiator cap as well..
I also noticed yesterday the HEAT GUAGE fluctuated, like it would get higher at stop lights and cool down when i accelerated..

thanks for the help

spin_r_g · 08-27-2009, 01:19 PM

Could be a bad thermostat.

wichi6419 · 08-31-2009, 07:52 AM

I had the same problem this morning. I cut the spring off of my thermostat for free flow. I'm gonna go get a new one and see if that helps. I replaced my head gasket 7 days ago. Do you think a coolant flush would be a good idea as well. Any suggestions please.

TheyCallMeShoof · 08-31-2009, 08:46 AM

flushing the coolants couldn't hurt, especially if ur gonna replace the thermostat

Danomite · 08-31-2009, 10:58 AM

Purge your cooling system.

kimara3002 · 08-31-2009, 05:06 PM

^^Purge^^...you possibly have air in your system or since you say it fluctuates at stop your fan may not be working... if your worried about your headgasket then the simple and basic thing to do (well i do cause i live on a farm and was taught by my grandpa) when the oil is cool take the dipstick out and taste the oil. if it has a sweet taste to it then you have a blown head gasket or they didnt put in on correctly

Rodmunch · 08-31-2009, 06:22 PM

Mmmmm...sweet oil.

Marfiahitman · 09-08-2009, 08:11 PM

ill have to try all thiss..

but now i have a NEW problemmmm...
i opened my hood and i see a very slight smoke coming from my engine... i dont know where its coming from but its the second time i noticed it in about 10 days.. and it smells wierd.. i reallly hope i didnt blow my head gasket againn

indylude18 · 09-08-2009, 08:14 PM

Did you get the head milled flat after the last head gasket replacement?

Marfiahitman · 09-08-2009, 08:16 PM

yes i believe i did get that done.. like my mechanic took the whole top off and brought it to the machine shop.. i know that for fact cause i saw his progress every other day.. (he did it as a side job, cause he my friend as well and did it for a cheaper price)

indylude18 · 09-08-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimara3002

when the oil is cool take the dipstick out and taste the oil.

Thought I would mention how bad of an idea that is. Dirty oil is a know carcinogen because it contains harmful heavy metals. It is bad enough just getting in on your skin, let alone drinking it. Ingesting coolant can cause horrible neurological problems. Even though this is just a tiny amount, don't risk it. It isn't worth it.

Anyways, OP, did you use and OEM or an aftermarket gasket. I hate to say it but your symptoms seem to be pointing back toward the head gasket. Try to track down where the smoke is coming from in the engine bay. Have you noticed if/how much coolant you are burning?

Marfiahitman · 09-08-2009, 09:10 PM

nah, i think my mechanic ordered it strait from honda.. cause i remember him talking aobut how much more he had to pay for it.
but i dont think its buring a lot, cause i remember it boiling my coolant a little while ago, but then i flushed the system and A LOT of colant came out.. and i though it was bone dry.

kimara3002 · 09-09-2009, 09:23 PM

im not saying taste the oil everyday because thats just plain stupid.. yes any based petrolum product is harmful as well as coolant after a certian amount. the amount that you taste is not going to do anything to you besides having a weird taste until your able to spit out the rest of it. and im deff. not saying to drink it either.

jlspec · 09-10-2009, 12:07 PM

You should never taste or put dirty oil in your mouth. Just look under your oil cap and look for a milky white residue. If you see it then you have a blown head gasket. A lot of times when the headgasket is replace and depending on what happen in the first place not only do you need to resurface the head but the block as well for a clean fit.

Marfiahitman · 09-23-2009, 08:29 PM

okay so i checked the coolant.. and it was fine... none was burning..
but!
my parents are gonna fix some problems with my car for my birthday which is next week...
i need a new CV boot.
i think a knock sensor.... im not sure... could you tell me how i can tell i need one?
and i may need a thermostat... cause i noticed every once in a while, my car will get hot at a stop light and go up one or two notches in the heat gage. i dont know whats up with that.. could someone help me?????

G_Loc · 09-23-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimara3002

^^Purge^^...you possibly have air in your system or since you say it fluctuates at stop your fan may not be working... if your worried about your headgasket then the simple and basic thing to do (well i do cause i live on a farm and was taught by my grandpa) when the oil is cool take the dipstick out and taste the oil. if it has a sweet taste to it then you have a blown head gasket or they didnt put in on correctly

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimara3002

im not saying taste the oil everyday because thats just plain stupid.. yes any based petrolum product is harmful as well as coolant after a certian amount. the amount that you taste is not going to do anything to you besides having a weird taste until your able to spit out the rest of it. and im deff. not saying to drink it either.

Quoting for teh lulz.