OK so ive read a guy had a similar problem like this on here but idk I think mine is a little different. I have an 02 3.2 TL (non type s). Starts to warm up at idle like when sitting at a light or in the drive through getting food. A couple times ive seen steam coming out. When I start driving again it goes back to normal. Warms up too in stop and go traffic. When I check the coolant level, its empty. I fill it back up, it warms up again and it turns up empty again. The hoses are fine and there is no leak. And I believe the fans are turning on when they are supposed to. So what could it be? Buddies of mine and from my own research have come to the conclusion that its either the thermostat, or the water pump but idk. Any suggestions on what it could be and how I can fix it?

 

wp and fan issue
its losing coolant from somewhere! look under water pump for trail of discolored fluid
when low on coolant it fools driver side fan into not running
pass side/both fans run with ac ON
have you watched at idle for driver fan?

150kmiles and never did tbelt and wp?

inspect rad cap seal and spring too
pressure test system if no leak found under wp= wp has a drain hole to show when its seal has failed

 

get it redline hot and say goodbye to the head gaskets!

 

a few things. head gasket, this would explain the fluid level being low.if your head gasket is leaking in to the cylinders you would not see a visible leak. your thermostat can be slightly clogged. or your water pump is not good. but if you are loosing coolant with no signs of leaks then i would look to the head gasket. im not a genius so some one might have a better opinion. good luck hope you fix it soon.. oh and maybe there is air in the system!

 

Thanks im gonna check this. But last time i had the wp checked a few months ago it was fine so we will see.

 

Not just low, completely empty. But it only empties out when the car starts getting warm at idle. Other then that, when it stays with continious driving with air flowing through it the temp and coolant is fine. But im gonna start with the thermostat. Hopefully its just that.

 

I would take the car and pressure test the cooling system for the possible leak. Thermostat being stuck closed would not cause the loss of the coolant you are experiencing.

 

Where can I get this done at? Like any mechanic or like does it have to be a specialty place.

 

Any mechanic should be able to do it. The procedure is very simple. They pressurize the system, if there is a leak the pressure will start dropping- meaning you have a leak. If the pressure stays constant, then you have eliminated the coolant leak as the possible culprit of your overheating. Also, test the radiator cap. Pressurization if vital to maintaining proper coolant temperature.

If radiator cap and pressure test come back good, then you have eliminated those two things from the possible reasons for overheating.

 

Yeah, ya got something leaking somewhere for sure.

Some morning when ya first start the car, lay a piece of cardboard underneath the front motor area. Once the car is warmed up, look for evidence of coolant dripping from the water pump, radiator or hose connections.

Check inside the rad and see if there's any trace of oil contamination. Than check the oil's level and appearance. If it's up and milky looking, ya blew a head gasket. Does the car puff excessive white smoke from the exhaust ??? Not good if it does !

When the car is up to operating temp, make sure that the fans are operative when parked idling. Feel the rad hose coming from the T-stat housing, when the T-stat opens, it should be as hot as the other one.

As previously suggested, a pressure test of the cooling system is the best way to know for sure. Then maybe cylinder compression. But first try the easy stuff, such as locating an apparent leak, even a new Honda 2 stage T-stat, ECT sensor and rad cap.

 

I had the same thing happen to me and it was a bad water pump. You should get this fixed ASAP!