View Full Version : Why is my 97 accord boiling water and overheating
N_x182
May 18, 2014, 03:13 PM
My accord has been overheating really fast! Ive changed all three sensers fan switch etc. I've changed the lower and upper water hoses, got a new thermostat(all recent changes) everything was going good till my lower hose got a hole(so I changed it)
I ran just water so test if there was any leaks or problems then after draining the water I put in auto zones coolant and anti freeze and water 50-50 then I started driving my car started overheating super quickly! And the pressure is outrageous it shooting out the reserve tank. I couldn't drive it a 1/2 a mile before it overheated.
I've checked my oil its totally fine I've even drop some on the hot engine to see if it smokes (it doesn't) so I don't think it's a crack head gasket. Also disassembled everything all hoses thermostat etc and nothing seem clogged only thing I couldn't check is my radiator? Any ideas for me to fix this problem?
odinn7
May 18, 2014, 03:26 PM
If the coolant pressurizes and blows out, you probably have a bad head or head gasket. If you did not refill the coolant using the proper procedure and bled the air out of it, you could have warped the head or blown out the gasket.
I am not sure what you mean by dropping oil on the hot engine to see if it smokes...am I missing something here?
TxGreaseMonkey
May 18, 2014, 04:01 PM
odinn7 is spot on. I suspect overheating lead to a warped aluminum head and blown head gasket. Your description of coolant being blown out the overflow reservoir practically guarantees it. I would have the head machined, valves inspected, and head gasket replaced. This is the ideal time to replace the timing belt, timing belt tensioner, and A/C tensioner belt bearing. Finally, I would install a new radiator and refill with a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and distilled water, in accordance with your Owner's Manual--failure to do so could cause the problem all over again. Repairs could easily exceed $3,000.
N_x182
May 18, 2014, 04:02 PM
If the coolant pressurizes and blows out, you probably have a bad head or head gasket. If you did not refill the coolant using the proper procedure and bled the air out of it, you could have warped the head or blown out the gasket.
I am not sure what you mean by dropping oil on the hot engine to see if it smokes...am I missing something here?
Ooooo That's not good :( and I've read that if you pull out the dipstick and drop oil on a hot engine then it will smoke because the mix of water and oil also there is bubble coming from the radiator cap...
N_x182
May 18, 2014, 04:09 PM
odinn7 is spot on. I suspect overheating lead to a warped aluminum head and blown head gasket. Your description of coolant being blown out the overflow reservoir practically guarantees it. I would have the head machined, valves inspected, and head gasket replaced. This is the ideal time to replace the timing belt, timing belt tensioner, and A/C tensioner belt bearing. Finally, I would install a new radiator and refill with a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and distilled water, in accordance with your Owner's Manual--failure to do so could cause the problem all over again. Repairs could easily exceed $3,000.
Thanks Guys This Sucks! Haha this is my first car too I never knew anything about cars till I got this one with all this trouble I made me going through totally bought a lemon
odinn7
May 18, 2014, 08:41 PM
Ooooo That's not good :( and I've read that if you pull out the dipstick and drop oil on a hot engine then it will smoke because the mix of water and oil also there is bubble coming from the radiator cap...
Never heard that before and no, that's not a test for a bad head gasket. Oil will smoke also if put on a hot engine. Good luck with it.