String1015

I'm new here and I've been reading the posts, but have not seen one like mine. Here is the synopsis.
Idle fluctuating 2200 back to 1000 when I first step on gas. Then at all time unless in gear. No heat in car. Thermostat has been changed twice ( one by me then took to dealer and they changed it to rule it out) Dealer said I have a crack in the motor and I need a new one. With a little investigating I talked to the tech and he never did a compression test or leakdown test, no fluid mixing, no white smoke etc. I thing he saw my jdm climate control and just said new motor. I am now going to change the radiator (original at 16 years and is now leaking but is rusty) My buddy(Mechanic at Jaguar) came over did compression test and rad test (hence new radiator) compression is equal throughout will overheat even at idle drive it going at 50 mph and still no heat will come out. This is what I think. There might be a clog by heater core, maybe need a new water pump, (178000 was done at 83000). I think idle issue will resolve when coolant issue is (ficv runs w/ coolant) Maybe Head Gasket? Will Post after I chang rad. but I don't think it will change fan works too
Car is 1993 Prelude VTEC H22a1 (BB1)

jsmooney

Time for a new timing belt and water pump for sure. Either your coolant is low, or nothing is circulating to provide you with heat.

pitownr

Well the heater core sounds like the problem with the heat. I had the same problem, and that was the source of the problem. As far as your overheating you may want to flush your cooling system. I did and found alot of build up in it.

String1015

alright, I changed the radiator. I did not get one from the dealer because they wanted $401 + tax and cash is another issue. Also, I checked around and no one has the exact rad that I had (mine is metal tanks, aluminum core) so I settled for one from NAPA. The differences are that this one is thicker which is good, plastic tanks, and all of the mounting brackets for the fans are way off. Yes, I rigged it because I NEEDED the rad bad. It stopped overheating for now and I flushed it too. Still no heat in the cabin though. Everything is clean new fluids and it is now building up so much pressure that it is steaming out of my coolant overflow reservoir. Idle issue has now dropped to the flux. of 1800 to 1000 now. I'm doing a leakdown test tomorrow. I'll post again to let you guys know, but does it sound like a head gasket?

rayslude

search for posts with the surging idle or bouncing idle in the title, theres been a few fixes posted

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String1015

Here is whats going on now.....
Thecar does not overheat anymore
Leakdown test was less than 10% for each cylinder, nothing to worry about
It is not the head gasket
Idle issue is from fast idle control valve, will replace soon because I don't want to run to the dealership more than I have too.
Still no heat in the car!!!!
Pressure still builds up and steam comes out of the coolant reservoir cap though

What I'm doing next is bypass heater core to see if pressure builds or not
Hook up my hose directly to the heater core to see if I can get any stuff that may be backed up in there
If anyone has any ideas what else could be done I'd apprieciate

String1015

alright, hopefully it is all figured out know.
idle is fine after replacing fast idle valve
everything is flushed. took off upper hose and nothing came out while running. it's the water pump.....all this time just for that. time to get started on that then thanks guys