Have a 97 Acura TL 3.2 with a cooling issue. Automobile holds normal operating temperature for a few days and then it blasts up to hot in seconds without any warning. Its not dumping coolant on the ground but it is filling the overflow. It appears that while the cooling system is flowing over to the overflow it isn't drawing it back into the radiator. How likely is this due to a failing water pump, or is there a more likely suspect? I'm also smelling a burnt rubber smell. Don't know if its related. I'm not finding the water pump is putting even a drop of coolant on the ground.

 

I wouldn't suspect the water pump right away. They have a low failure rate, and they usually have really specific conditions when they will cause overheating. Far more likely would be low coolant, inoperative radiator/condenser fans, thermostat, or head gaskets.

 

I replaced the radiator, thermostat and radiator coolant switch. The fans work when I turn on air conditioner, which leaves head gasket. Do you think the head gasket would make it hard to draw coolant from the overflow back into the radiator?

 

Just got the bad word back from an auto mechanic. Head gasket is bad. Vehicle has 192K miles. Finding it hard to make a case for fixing head gasket at $1800-2000. Mechanic said I could try a head gasket sealant but that it would cost me about $275 and had maybe 50/50 chance of lasting 1 or 2 years at best. I wonder if I'm crazy to try that. Sure don't have the money for another vehicle at the moment without financing. Vehicle has been good to me for 12 years. Hate to part.

 

I remember a member on here using a product called Bluedevil head gasket sealant with good results, so if you want give it a try.

 

Ugh! 24 hours ago, I would have been unwilling to consider such an idea, but staring at the other choices--- a potential $2000 bill, or sell the vehicle to a wrecking yard--- the $64.99 miracle cure looks worthy of a shot. I wonder how good their guarantee really is. I'll likely give it a try and post my experience, good or bad. Gosh! How desperate am I?

 

Here is the thread of the member I was talking about: https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-tl-1996-1998-101/blue-devil-we-shall-see-850819/

 

I am not putting that crap in my car. Temporary or otherwise. I've rebuilt an engine after it had been run with that type of 'head gasket in a can/bottle" type product and it's more of a mess because to that stuff being in it than if you have just simply replaced the head gasket.

 

Beachbound, how was the mechanic able to determine that the head gasket was bad?