1999 Honda Accord Temperature

1999 HONDA ACCORD
160,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • MANUAL
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MOSSPA
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I change the thermostat in my car.Now I can watch the temp gauge go up and down while I drive.I took the car to a garage.They couldn't find anything wrong with it.Should I be able to watch the gauge go up and down?It doesn't overheat.It runs from normal to about 3/4 of the gauge.Constantly up and down.Should I try anoter thermostat.
Feb 11, 2008 at 6:53 PM
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PEAR69
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Is your new thermostat the same temperature rating as your old one? Is the heat from your heater any different since you changed the thermostat?
Feb 11, 2008 at 7:10 PM
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MOSSPA
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That could be the problem.I was at work and my wife got the thermostat.I dont no for sure what the rating is.
Feb 11, 2008 at 7:16 PM
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PEAR69
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I'm not saying there is a problem with it. If there is a problem with the heater blowing cold air then-yes- there is a problem. The t-stat will allow the coolant temperature inside of the engine to get to its' rating. Then it opens and lets the coolant flow through the radiator, where heat is extracted from the coolant. When the coolant is cooled to the t-stats' rating the t-stat closes and starts the process all over. Your heat gauge will fluctuate as this process repeats itself over and over. This fluctuation is not a problem.
Feb 11, 2008 at 7:43 PM
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MOSSPA
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someone at work told me that I might ave a head gasket problem.I drove it to work today.It runs sgreat as long as the heater is on full blast.If I turn the heater off or down I can see steam coming from under the hood.I really dont no were to go from here.
Feb 12, 2008 at 2:20 PM
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PEAR69
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A leaking head gasket will cause coolant to gush out and the engine will sputter, spit and misfire. You say the engine runs great. Turning the heater on and off will not cause a steaming head gasket leak. A failing head gasket will leak all the time once it gets to the point of steaming. When you say you turn off the heater do you mean the fan or the interior temperature switch?
Before you run the car again, check the coolant level. Make sure it's full - my guess is that it isn't. Add a little water if it's not too low. Now run the engine and get it to steam again. Open the hood and see where it is coming from. Coolant is leaking somewhere, check around the where the thermostat was replaced. Check especialy around where the upper and lower radiator hoses connect to the engine. Let me know your findings
Feb 12, 2008 at 5:28 PM
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BRUCE HUNT
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Good advise. Don't forget the radiator. There can be a crack in the radiator that releases steam and even worse does not allow the cooling system to pressurize. Nip this thing now or you will be having head and head gasket issues.
Feb 14, 2008 at 11:18 AM
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PEAR69
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Ah yes, good catch Bruce, I've seen these radiators have a hairline crank in them. Especialy in the plastic that holds the fins together..Thanks Bruce
Feb 14, 2008 at 9:49 PM
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