I have a 97 RL with 190,000 miles. It has been a great vehicle. However, I am now having a problem with overheating. Both fans come on but when the temp outside reaches mid 90's and I drive over 20 miles on the freeway or stop and go it overheats. When that happens the ac kicks off and the transmission clunks as it downshifts. A few days ago when it got hot it sprung a leak in the plastic portion of the radiator. I fixed it temporaily with J B Weld and added coolant. The fix has held but it now overheats much faster.
Any suggestions for a fix? Do I need a new radiator or thermostat? How tough is it to change the thermostat if that is the problem?
Steve in Utah

 

Yes, you need a new radiator asap. Do not drive the car when overheat!!! You will have to pay an additional money to replace all the valve cover gaskets and head gaskets. Gaskets are easy to be burned out even with a short period of overheating . That will cost you over $1000.

Take my advice seriously!!!

 

Thanks for the response. I have checked with the dealer who will change the radiator. I asked him to check on what caused it to get so hot and spring a leak. He said most likely it is a bad thermostat. Their price to change the thermostat is $110. How tough would it be for me to change it out?

 

It is not difficult to change the radiator or the thermostat if you are mechanically inclined. It is messy and there are a lot of connections, but it nothing is very complicated. I paid $170 for a radiator and put it in my 96 rl. The dealer wanted $750 for the job. I did the thermostat and the hoses at the same time...

 

I am having the same overheating problem with my 97 RL. 157K miles, beautiful car. The problem began last July, and four visits to the Acura shop, $3K later, (two new thermostats didn't fix it, new head gasket didn't fix it, new radiator hoses didn't fix it, then a new radiator cap fixed the problem (six weeks later). Early June, two weeks ago the problem began again, it overheats driving at low speeds with a/c on, and also at high speeds going uphill. Soon as you turn the a/c off, the temperature gauge goes down to normal. It has been at the Acura dealer repair shop for the last four days, they have again replaced the thermostat, but it is still overheating. Hate to scrap this beautiful car, it is the best ride ever. Any suggestions?

 

The problem most people encountered with the radiators in the early RL is a crack that forms in the top plastic housing. Usually on the driver's side, on the front side of the radiator, running from just to the right of the radiator cap (as you look at the car) towards the battery area. It is a hairline and may only leak when the car is under load...
The dealer should be able to determine this problem for you. $3k is a lot invested in a 13 year old car...