about a week I noticed that my radiator had a small leak in it. So I got some super flush and it has stopped leaking. Now today while driving over to my boys house I noticed that my temp gauge started to rise while I was driving the car. The coolant level is straight and both fans turn on and cool the car. I was thinking it is the thermostat but I am not sure. And how hard is it to change. I am suppose to be going to a friends house later on tonight and lives about a hour away. What do you guys think. And I already flushed the fluid in the car. Also since it is over heating am I going to need a new head gasket now?

 

perhaps the stop leak you chucked in:

A-reduced the thermal conductivety of the radiator
B-f-d up the spring and reduced the reactivety of the metal strips on the thermostate.

I would, replace the thermostate and the radiator.

As long as you don't get too hot--in the red the head gaskets should be fine.

 

Damn so I should've never put that stop leak in?

 

I wouldn't have used stop leak, radiators are common weak point on older Accord. They always wear out.

I don't think you ruined much, you were in need of a new radiator anyway. And it's wise to do the thermostat at the same time. I get a new radiator and thermostat (hoses if needed) as soon as you can, though.

 

yea I am going to get a new rad cap, tstat and radiator and call it a day. I wnder how much this usally cost?

 

I did learn some neat tricks now that I'm working for Honda. First thing is to make sure the thermostat is opening. When this happens, the LOWER radiator hose becomes hot. It should be equally (or damn near close to) as hot as the upper. You'll know the thermostat is opening. Otherwise it might be a clogged radiator, or a blown head gasket. I worked on a 94 Civic last week with the complaint that on freeway driving, it won't overheat. But when you pull off at an offramp or what not, the temp starts to climb. I found out that it's most commonly caused by a blown head gasket. I pulled the spark plugs out and looked into the cylinders with a light. Sure enough, there was coolant in #1 cylinder. So now I have the head off, awaiting authorization to do the repair. But check that thermostat, and pull your plugs and look in there to see if any coolant is present.

 

Damn thanks for the Info I will have that checked out.

 

Ok got everything change and she feels a lot better now. When running out the pressure was all off and shit but now she is all good.

 

i had the same problem with my radiator just a few weeks ago so i got a new one and replaced the upper and lower hoses and the thermostat and runs like a champ now