Just bought 1997 Honda prelude 2.0i.Temperature gauge behaves normally and sits in mid (Normal) position once engine hot. But open bonnet and WOW step back.. engine seems much hotter than my previous Preludes.I can feel heat on my legs through "transmission tunnel" when driving. Runs beautifully, restarts first turn even when hot. No "dieselling". No other symptoms but radiation...
Drove 400 miles home with it hot hot for 300 miles (doing 80-90mph all the way to maximise air cooling! ) then it seemed suddenly to cool. I thought water all gone but heater worked and water was still full.Today back to running hot on short journeys.. 6 miles ish in town at 30mph.
Are there meant to be two radiators in front of the 2 fans?
I want to blast the radiators .Can I use high pressure water once engine cool or should I use air hose? Might it be a thermostat?
Just checked overflow bottle was an inch below "MIN" Surely that can't be it?
Will advise! Thanks for this.

You don't have two radiators... the car has airconditioning.

Thanks Smoothy!
Does the lower bonnet line and the soundproofing blanket perhaps make the engine... seem hotter? Maybe?

Ps I don't think air con is working.. 'heater just works like my BB4s (non aircon).How could I tell whether it works? And can I just disconnect it?
More importantly might it be causing the overheating if it's faulty or inoperative
Thanks.

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Originally Posted by telerepairman

Thanks Smoothy!
Does the lower bonnet line and the soundproofing blanket perhaps make the engine....seem hotter? Maybe?

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Shouldn't... those actually help the airflow through the radiator, and would run hotter without them in place. What I mean is the lower cover in front of the oil pan. Is there one there?

The sound pad is there to make the car quieter and prevent paint damage to the Bonnet (hood in the USA) due to heat when the car is first parked... the Prelude was an upscale Honda.

I would not go spraying under the hood with high pressure water... you can do more amage than good unless you know exactly what to do from experience.
Everything from forcing water past seals and into electrical conections to damaging the cooling fins on the radiator and condenser (in front of the radiator).

I would have a mechanic use a Infared tnon-contact thermometer to see what the temprature really is to see if the gauge or sending unit is reading remotely correct. And factory guages are more about being in the general area then being very accurate.

One post per topic. Reporting this to be merged.

Hi is "oil pan" the sump? If you mean the plastic panel below the radiators.. yes it's there.
Obviously the "soundpad" doesn't help airflow.. it's not smooth!
What does"the prelude was an upscale honda" mean?"
Can't find "Infared tnon-contact thermometer " anywhere! Why would you want it fared in?
Thanks but more confused.

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Originally Posted by smoothy

You don't have two radiators...the car has airconditioning.

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Hi Smoothy.. am I allowed to respond to this with regard to my original overheating question?

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Originally Posted by telerepairman

Hi Smoothy..am I allowed to respond to this with regard to my original overheating question?

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Yes... this is your thread in regards to the same car and problem.. What is the question?