Hey guys. I'm obviously new here, but I've stumbled across this site a few times since getting my CL in December, and I've found a lot of good info here. I've tried to do some searching on my new issue but I still wanted to ask some questions.

First off, the issue: I recently started seeing the temp gauge higher than normal. It hasn't gone all the way up --it's gotten about mid to 60% up-- but it isn't staying at around 30-40% up like I'm guessing it should. The gauge will read somewhat normal while driving but it will start to creep up at a light or in traffic that isn't really moving.

This weekend, I took a look at it and found that with the AC on, both fans are working. There is a temp difference between the air off the AC fan and the air off the radiator fan. Coolant was slightly low in the reserve tank, but filling it didn't really seem to matter. With the fans seemingly in working order I moved onto the thermostat.

I replaced the thermostat with something from Autozone. The old 'stat had build up on it and didn't seem to move open/closed very well; at least not as well as the new one moved. After replacing the 'stat, I still see the temp gauge move up to about half after running the car a while. Since the fans seem to be coming on at the right time, I am guessing the problem isn't the fans (unless they aren't providing enough cooling power. Does that even happen?).

I don't see any leaks on hoses or at connection points. In my searching of the forums, I suppose I can try the radiator cap next, then try the radiator if that doesn't help. How would I go about testing to see if my radiator needs to be replaced, if that's the problem?

To be sure I need to do anything at all, I am expecting the temp gauge to sit at about 30% and *not move*. Is this correct? Thanks for the help guys.

 

I tried just replacing the radiator cap and when I got the cap back home, it wouldn't fit on the radiator. I then noticed that the radiator is apparently an Alexon brand. I'm guessing since the cap didn't fit, that this is a replacement radiator that the previous owner swapped out.

What brand would I want to replace the radiator with, if I thought that was the right way to go? Oreily has something by Murry and Autozone has something from Spectra. Either of those alright to use?

Thanks.

 

No ideas, huh? Alright then. Thanks guys.

 

Usually if it is a radiator cap your hose will collapse in. personally at 50% i wouldn't worry about it as long as it doesn't exceed the top line for normal driving conditions. and have you checked your coolant to make sure it is still good?

 

Thanks for the reply. I've been driving it a bit and watching the temp and the coolant levels. I am losing coolant, though I have no idea where. There aren't any puddles under the car, or wet spots on the hood or in the engine compartment that would show me where a leak is happening.

If I keep coolant in the car, the temp will be in a decent range (though still running a touch hotter than it should). That said, I smell a faint sniff of coolant as I drive and constantly pouring coolant back into the system doesn't feel like a good fix to me.

I haven't managed to do a pressure test on the cap or compression test just yet. If both of those check out, would that possibly be heater core? How would I go about ruling out the radiator?

 

You can also do a pressure test on the radiator too. You can get the testers at any auto store(or rent one?). The leak could possibly be the heater core like you stated. I replaced my Rad. in my 98 CL 3.0 a few months ago. Got my radiator off rockauto.com, its working great.
Email if you have any more ?'s - jamesbuttery1985@gmail.com

 

Thanks for the reply, James. I haven't had a chance to get to a store just yet to see about renting a tool.

If it turns out to be a heater core issue, what service manual would you recommend using? The only thing I can find for the car is the Chilton, but its pretty useless. Would a Haynes manual for the same year Accord work? I've been trying to find a good service manual (minus just going to Acura for it) but I wasn't sure how close the Accord is to the CL.

Thanks for the link to rockauto btw. Should prove useful.

 

It's looking like the water pump is leaking. I'll need to grab the timing belt and such while I'm in there. I've done some searching and found that doing the timing belt can be a pain and that I should go get an impact wrench that can do 600-700 for torque.

Any suggestions on a good manual to follow for bolt torque specs, etc?