I recently purchased a 2004 TL. Got it for half price because it has a salvage title from a front-end collision back in 2007. It was re-built by Acura certified technicians and looks and runs great now. Guess I'd better get used to posting that as an intro to every post I ever post that asks for help. The car runs beautifully, but there is something that disturbs me that I've noticed...

The engine stays hot long after the car has been driven. It had been three hours since the car had been driven and the tops of the front fenders were very hot to the touch. A couple hours later (so 5 hours after being last driven), they were still hot. When I opened the hood, the plastic covering over the engine was still quite hot. I left the hood open for 10 minutes and the fenders and most of the rest of the things under the hood cooled off, but the plastic cover over the engine is still hot.

Any ideas?

 

Is the temperature gauge in the H zone? Does the cooling fan stay on after the car has shut off?

Retaining heat even a few hours after is pretty normal, esp if it's hot outside.

 

I will try to remember to notice these things next time it is driven, but the temp gauge is currently all the way to C, even though the engine is still very warm.

I have never noticed the cooling fan remaining on after shutoff. I'm 99% sure that I would have noticed if it were not shutting off, but have not been actively listening for it.

But I will check both these things next time it is driven.

 

Yeah, the temp gauge only works with the ignition at On or with the car started.

If it's overheating and assuming the sensors and what not are working properly the fan will usually stay on for a few minutes to continue cooling the car.

but at the same time i just saw your thread in the main forum about it having a few electrical issues..

 

When you turned the car off, where was the car left? Outside? Inside? In the sun? What the ambient air temp?
I know when I pull my car into my air conditioned garage after work around 7PM, the engine bay is still very warm at 9PM. My wife's car takes about 3 hours to cool off enough before I will even try to change the oil.

 

Artist, in the summer, I actually pull into the garage and open the hood, just to help the car cool down....

 

this is normal.

 

Your replies make me feel a bit better. It has been fairly hot where I live, although last night couldn't have been more than low to mid 80s. At the time I noticed this and posted, the car was parked in a large garage that is not air conditioned. I haven't driven it since, but I'll keep an eye on it....or at least a hand to it.

 

Yeah, doesn't sound like anything to worry about to me. I've gone down to my car hours after its been sitting in the garage, only to find the engine is still very hot. Its not uncommon for any car.

 

OMG what is wrong with theses cars?!!!! In the winter when it is cold out, I mean very cold out my TLS in cold too! For hours it is cold, the roof, hood, trunk. I can't take it!

 

 

^its a jersey thing.