Hey guys,
So I'm really confused about this one. I'll start with a little info. I drive a 96 3.2 TL. It has about 170K. I've had heating problems for a while now, where my heat only works sometimes, and my temp will start to go up as I idle for any given time. I started with my t-stat. Didn't fix my problem. Since I bought the car used and didn't know when the timing belt had been done last, I thought I should get it done. I just did the timing belt and water pump, and replaced my valve seals so it would stop burning oil.

My oil burning problem is fixed, and I don't notice losing coolant anymore (My water pump really needed to be replaced). I still have problems with temp though. I was driving it this morning and I had the climate control set to 75. It didn't feel like I was getting warm air coming out, and my temp gauage was right where it should be, just below half. I turned the climate control to 90 to make sure my heat was working, and the air started blowing out a little bit cooler and the temp gauage started going up, very fast. I turned the climate control back down to 75 and the temp gauage went back to normal.

What am I missing? I'm going to try a different t-stat and replace my radiator cap, as well as make sure there isn't air in the system. Could it be a head gasket? What do you guys think?

 

Could be a headgasket but more likely its just an air pocket in the system.

 

Try burping the radiator and see if that fixes the issue.

 

Thanks guys. I'll be trying out a few things tomorrow. We'll see what happens.

 

This scares me...i hope our TL'S dont have the same major headgasket flaw as the 91-95 legends. i dont wana have to re-live that nightmare again.

 

Just take care of it and it will take care of you.

Just check your fluid level every now and then and do your regular scheduled maintenance and you will be good.

 

Oh trust me...ever since that ordeal a few years back...me and that little blue fluid r good friends

 

Does your cooling fan comes on without the A/C at all? That is the problem I'm currently having.

 

From what I have read, our TL's were design to prevent that problem and some say that it was an "overkill" design to have a more sensentive temperature sensor, and the fact that the fan comes on frequently after turning off the car to cool it down. Now if you are having problems with the fan, that is a different story.

 

I'm pretty sure it's not my fans. I really hope it's not my head gasket. I should be getting the t-stat and radiator cap today, so with those and checking the cooling system for air bubbles I'm really hoping that fixes my problem. Whoever did the timing belt and water pump last on this car, missed the gasket that goes between the t-stat housing and water pump. There was coolant everywhere under the timing cover. I always wondered where all my coolant was going...

 

Okay. I put the t-stat in and a new radiator cap, and let a LOT of air out of the cooling system. I think I fixed the overheating issue, but I still lose heat from time to time. If the engine is revving over 750 RPM the heat works okay (Most of the time), but if the engine is at idle, the heat goes away and it starts blowing cold.

What else could it be??

 

bad heating blower I saw some common issues with these cars and it could be that Also what temp is the T-Stat?

 

Loss of heating at idle suggests low coolant flow to the heater core. As engine speeds up heater core flow increases due to additional water pump pressure. Blockage can be caused by scale and most frequently radiator sealants installed to fix leaks. Either can block heater core flow.

Fix is to remove heater hoses in engine compartment (very carefully to avoid damaging heater core), and reverse flushing (you have to figure out which is supply and return). There's a neat video of this on youtube (Daves Farm).

good luck

 

I agree with TexasHonda but a new water pump and T-Stat with original temp. and oem type keeps a constant temperature.

 

I kept everything OE when I did the work (Water pump and timing belt). I also did the T-Stat then. None of that fixed the problem. I bled the cooling system a few times (Let out a LOT of air) and haven't noticed the problem since. Granted, the car hasn't run in about a month now because of that bad ground I had (You can read about that in the other thread I have).

If I notice it again, I'll try the reverse flush. Thanks guys!