1998 Honda Accord Engine Overheat

1998 HONDA ACCORD
125,052 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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TOTALREALITY
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Good day,
I have a 98 Honda Accord, lately “during the summer” when I drive my car around noon “11 a.m. – 4 p.m.” on highways for more than 20 minutes and then go inside the city and slow down to stop the engine start to run really hot but it doesn’t reach the “H”. After that, the car needs around one to two minutes to cool down if I stopped or continue driving slow. However, if I start to drive faster and continue driving fast the engine cools down faster and in less than a minute.
By the way, I have replaced the thermostat, temperature sensor, and Water Pump, but with no luck.
So, could you please help me.
Jul 22, 2009 at 7:50 AM
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KHLOW2008
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HiTotalReality,

Do you have issues with coolant losses?
Did you check the radiator coolant level?
Are the cooling fans working?
Is the recovery tank coolant level constant?
Jul 27, 2009 at 11:12 AM
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TOTALREALITY
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Hi KHLow2008,

No…. no coolant loss and its level is full
Yes, the fans are working fine and their automatic switch seems fine also.

By the way, this issue mainly comes when I drive at noon. When driving at night the temp doesn't rise.

I went to a mechanic and he said that the engine, thermostat, and fans are all fine, however it maybe the temp gauge giving wrong reading.

Also, he told me when the temp rise pull of your car and check the upper hose for the Radiator and if the pressure is high then it might be a radiator problem but if it is regular, then most probably just the temp gauge.
I did as he said and the pressure was regular.

However, I am still not relieved, since the them rises only during noon.
Jul 30, 2009 at 5:56 AM
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KHLOW2008
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When the temp gauge rises, check if the fans are working then. If the fans runs and stops intermittently while the gauge reading is high, it shows the cooling system is functioning correctly and problem should be a wrong reading.

Check the ground connections behind the headlights. Loosen, clean and retighten them, on both sides.

If the fans runs without stopping till the temp gauge reading drops to normal, you have a cooling efficiency problem and the most likely cause would be a partially clogged radiator.

Both above conditions should be with AC system OFF.
Jul 30, 2009 at 11:00 AM
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TOTALREALITY
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Greetings,
Thanks for your email and sorry for my late response, but I was very busy with a project that I had.
Anyway, I have done as you suggested, and the fans staid running until the gauge reading drops to normal. So, I have replaced the radiator and now everything is fine thanks to you.
However, I have one small thing, sometimes when I drive my car for more than 20 minutes and then stop and turn of my car for around 5-10 minutes and then start it again, the gauge reading reaches becomes high for a couple of seconds and then drops to normal. What could be the cause of this?

Thanks again for your help and have a nice day.
Sep 19, 2009 at 1:20 AM
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