My sons 1990 Honda Accord has started running hot lately. I know very little about cars but do know that something is not right. When idling at a stop light temp gauge slowly rises to red mark. Also, we were on the highway coming home and temp rose again while driving. We pulled over and let cool. Checked radiator and added 50/50 to top off. (Outside temp has been in the low 100's) We continued back on road ran A/C and made it home safe. Today, drove car top work with no A/C on and temp went up again but then went back down.. it kept doing that whether it was idle or running... HELLLLPP.

Make sure the system is properly bled. Hondas are noted for overheating when air is not bled from the system.

Also, you will want to be sure that the fans are coming on.

Is this something that I can do myself or does it need to be taken to a dealer?. I am pretty good at DIY projects.. just nothing to complex.

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Originally Posted by odinn7

Also, you will want to be sure that the fans are coming on.

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The fans are coming on because we can hear them.

You need to solve this problem right away, otherwise you will warp the aluminum head, blow the head gasket, and damage the valves. I'm currently helping a neighbor replace the head gasket and repair the damage done to a 2000 Civic LX, when his daughter continued to drive the car after it started to overheat. She couldn't afford the $3,200 it was going to cost for repairs.

I suspect that you need to install a new radiator, since phosphate scale has likely blocked passages in the radiator. This happens when you use tap water, rather than distilled water, in the cooling system.

Thank you TxGreaseMonkey.. I don't drive the car (it is still sitting in the driveway until we can get it fixed) Fortunately we have another vehicle to use. Thank you everyone!