Temp Gauge- Help!!! - Honda Prelude Forum

Surfin_silver · 08-01-2002, 06:38 AM

Although this was never ever expected, funnily enough we actually had a very hot day in England on Tuesday, so for the first time I was using my A/C after about an hour of driving I noticed occasionally my temp gauge move from the 50% centre mark to 75% and back again, this went back to 50% when I turned off the A/C however a little later, on the Motorway....I opened her up
and launched the vtech for around 7 miles at around 120mph without the air con, and I spotted the Temp gauge jump to 75% and higher
I brought the car to a stand still at a service station and opened the hood, The overflow cannister was shaking like mad as though it was going to explode....I sat and waited until everything had cooled enough for me to check the fluid levels, The radiator was fine and after squeezing the hoses,I didnt find any air, the Oil was also at the correct level, and the fans were working fine.
I took the car to Honda today, and they have pressure tested it, and cannot find anything wrong, and they did manage to raise the temp themselves after letting the vtech kick in, but they did say I ought to monitor the problem. What I have noticed is, it only seems to get hot, when I engage the vtech and take it above 4000rpm, when I cruise at less than 3000rpm there are no problems. Also when overheating...if I turn the heating up inside the car (Not ideal in hot weather), the temp gauge instantly drops back to 50% again
All air flows to the radiator a free from blockages too....
The only thing I have changed since this started happening are my Wheels and tyres, which are the same size and weight as my last ones....Any suggestions ???? as so far this is baffling both me and Honda!

bronzemfp · 08-01-2002, 08:41 AM

I was reading throught the prelude owners manual the other day and it said that the temperature may rise to the 75% marker under hard driving, hot days or running the airconditioner.
As long as the temp. gauge never reaches the red indicator, you should be ok.
Also, the A/C radiator is in front of your engine coolant radiator, so if the AC is on, the warm air from the a/c radiator is flowing past the engine radiator and reducing the efficency of the engine cooling system.
If the temp sensor ever gets into the red zone, try having your thermostat replaced. That has solved all my cooling problems in the past.
Hope this helps!

-Neil

brendon2k · 08-01-2002, 11:47 AM

Going to the next mark isn't too bad. If you get close to the red though then you have problems.

OT Surfin_silver what side skirts are those?

Qveon · 08-01-2002, 12:57 PM

Do you have your antifreeze mixed at 50 Water/ 50 anitfreeze? If so try adding some straight water, not a ton, but enough to thin out the antifreeze some.

Surfin_silver · 08-02-2002, 03:45 AM

Believe it or not, Its now cold, foggy and raining here in England
and like a miracle, my car is running fine again....I am presuming that because I will have my heater on that that is taking the hot air off the engine.
Although what I'm thinking is, a Hot day in the UK is only a mere puppy compared to a hot day in the states and I havent read many overheating compaints on here.....

Brendon2k,
the Side skirts were already fitted when I imported the car, so Im not sure exactly what styloe they are but they are very very similar to those supplied with the the "HIRO" style bodykit

Bronzemfp/Neil,
Very optimistic news, infact its replies like that, which radiate hope!, I'll do as honda says and monitor the problem, and if I see it happens again for no apparent reason, Or if England are again blessed with at least 1 more nice weathered day, I'll try getting by without the air con to see if that solves it....if it doesnt Ill get the sender unit and thermo replaced

Qveon,
Thanks for the reply, Yes Im using Antifreeze in there, however, I'm only guessing that during the regular servicing This week that Honda, after pressure testing the system refilled it with the correct mix of water and antifreeze etc etc

Absolut · 08-02-2002, 09:46 AM

You might have a semi plugged radiator. You might try having it flushed if you continue to overheat.

Are your headlights tinted?

Surfin_silver · 08-04-2002, 06:24 PM

Okay, let me run this by you all.....
Firstly, If the temp gauge is telling me that the engine is hot,
and I pop the hood and see the overflow shaking with bubbling hot water, then the Gauge is ruled out as being Faulty.

2nd),
If I can sit idle in traffic on a burning hot day, for over 2 hours and the car doesnt over heat and the fans come on when the guage is just about to go over half way, Then I can rule out the Thermostat and the sender unit.

3rd),
When I take off the radiator cap, and see that there is enough coolant in both the radiator and the overflow cannister, which honda themselves mixed, and Honda pressure tested it....Then I can rule out a leak somewhere.

4th)
If I turn on the engine, whilst the radiator cap is off, and see water start to rise and come out of the radiator, then I can also rule out the water pump.

My Question to you all:-
If the over heating only rears its butt ugly head when I tear up the foggy cobbled streets of England,obv taking the RPM over 5k-7000rpm
(Taking into consideration of the pressure building up for the vtech here)
Could this be a sign......of the head gasket about to give up the ghost?
I know that on some occasions this can put water in the oil and vice versa....but is that ALWAYS the case?

Absolut,
Yes, They are tinted JDM one piece units, Obviously this doesnt create the best night time driving experience, however it was minimal enough to pass the british MOT inspection
However, I have just had them replaced with New JDM's which dont look as "mean", but still look great
more pics coming soon