1991 Acura Legend temp gauge jumps

ACURALEGEND91

MEMBER
1991 ACURA LEGEND
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
160,428 MILES

I was driving my 91 legenc today and I noticed my temp gauge was going to the third bar then almost to the 4th (hottest bar) but then it would drop back down the the second bar (normal operating temp) it would keep doing this and sometimes it would max out on H then drop back down, I can't figure it out, I just replaced my thermostat a few weaks ago. What symptoms is my car showing? Also the oil isnt milky, and my exauste smokes from time to time when I idol for more then 5 minutes which ive been told is from leaky valve seals

Saturday, October 16th, 2010 AT 4:27 AM

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi acuralegend91,

Check the coolant level in radiator. Seems air is trapped in system after replacement of the thermostat. Bleeding is required to get the trapped air out.

You are correct about bad valve seals causing the intermittent smoke.

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Saturday, October 16th, 2010 AT 7:29 AM

ACURALEGEND91

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4 POSTS

The coolant level is fairly high, when I poured some in it would bubble and go down and do it for a while then after like 3ish minutes it would sto bubbling and wouldnt go down anymore (i also had the bleeding valve open while pouring it in, I'm not sure if im bleeding it correctly im no mechanic

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Saturday, October 16th, 2010 AT 9:18 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

With bleeder valve open, the engine must be off. After coolant flows out of bleeder valve, tighten it and start engine without radiator cap. When coolant level at radiator neck drops, top up. Repeat until coolant stabilises and close radiator cap.

Run engine till radiator fan comes on and when engine cools down, check coolant level again.

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Saturday, October 16th, 2010 AT 9:27 AM