Cornflake

So I'm driving to work yesterday, and halfway here, my temp gauge SPIKES up to the top!! I slow down, crank the heat and start to pull over and Boom, it drops back down to normal, so I keep driving to get to the collector lanes to slow down and get off and it's fine, then when I get off, it does it again, then right back down. I get to work, and when I leave check the coolant level and top it up (Been having an issue with coolant diappearing and stuff, all related, so I had coolant in the trunk). SO anyways, it runs fine since then. I've been having issues with the coolant seeming to boil over, thought it was heater core for leaking, as I saw a puff a couple of times through vent, but that's all it's ever been, just a puff. Then it boiled out of the overflow a few weeks ago. SO I know I'm over due for a coolant flush, and with the temp gauge thing, I',m thinkin it's a 'stat as well. Going to the dealer on Monday for thermostat replacement, coolant flush and now that the winter rims are on an alignment too. Total about $350 w/ tax. Not too bad. I just hope the stat and coolant flush fix all my problems. Causing heater issues too cause when coolant gets low, it blows cold air. GOTTA get this fixed. Then time for timing belt, water pump, valve adjustment. Getting to be an expensive car to maintain!!!

TLBaller

How often should you do a radiator flush? (that is the same as a "coolant" flush right?)

Cornflake

They recommend every 60000 km's, but I think every 100000 (60000 miles) is still good enough. but as with anything, an once of prevention is worth a pound of cure, wouldn't be having so many problems if I had just done it last summer when I intended. Oh well. C'est la vie.

EDIT: And oh yeah sorry, yup the same thing as coolant flush.

982.5TL

A coolant flush is part of the 75k mile service. I was gonna wait till then, but to be better safe than sorry Im gonna get my T'stat checked and then do a coolant flush anyway. I guess it wouldn't hurt to do it again in 10k miles, (Im at 64k right now). I guess i could skip it and save some dough though.

LDH

every 100k miles? wow i guess i went a little overboard... since i've had my car its been like 30k miles and it's been completely flushed like 3 times already.

vishnus11

Aren't the 3.2 engines valves self-adjusting. Seem to remember someone mentioning that awhile back. What exactly are the benefits of valve readjustment.

Cornflake

Called the dealer to verify and 3.2 is NOT self adjusting. Requires adjustment. Valve adjustment just ensure valves seat themselves properly, helps avoid intermittent misfires and rough running. Also valve train can get noisy when it is out of adjustment.

Ken1997TL

Actually the 3.2's valves are hydraulic and self-adjusting.

The 2.5's are not.

vishnus11

WHO WILL U VOTE FOR IN THIS ELECTION
WHICH CANDIDATE WILL PREVAIL

CORNFLAKE VS. KEN

Cornflake states "Called the dealer to verify and 3.2 is NOT self adjusting. Requires adjustment."
YET
Ken says "Actually the 3.2's valves are hydraulic and self-adjusting."

CAST YOUR VOTE NOW!!!
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Sorry guys, couldn't resist. Just a little humor (I think) at this hour of night as I patiently wait for election results.

Ken1997TL

We'll see. I have some information on the Legend engine somewhere from Honda talking about the self-adjusting valves.

youngTL

Sounds to me like your temperature sensor is toast. My mom's intrepid did the exact same thing. The coolant drain thing was all crusted over with stuff too. It was a pretty cheap fix on that car. Dont know about ours.

Cornflake

Haha..no worries dude! If it's tru that they aren't self-adjusting then I've got a MAJOR problem cause i've got an intermittent misfire which I was attirbuting to the valves being out of adjustment. I will find out in a few weeks for sure when it goes in for timing belt, as my friend at the dealership is supposed to be throwing in a valve adjustment for me. The coolant thing will prolly be fixed on Friday.

Cornflake

Yup, I'm gonna have them check that at the same time as thermostat being replaced. My total bill will prbably be about $300 but I'm getting an alignment too.