Then I noticed steam coming from my engine hood but when I turn on the AC, it goes away.
I have a 97 Honda Accord 6 cycl. One more thing, I added straight antifreeze to the radiator - no water. Any advice on what could be wrong? Does this sound expensive?
2007-04-10 05:59:31 · 14 answers · asked by asldfkjdfj 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The cooling system on cars is a simple, yet sensitive circuit. If any one or more of it's components aren't working properly, it could lead to a big disaster. The main parts of this circuit consist of the pump, a thermostat, hoses, the radiator itself, and the cap. Inside the engine, there are gaskets that separate the water from the oil, and internal parts of the engine. The steam you spoke of could be coming out of several places. The cap is the easiest place to start. You can have them tested at a lot of auto parts stores. From there, I'd check the hoses. If they haven't been replaced in a while, inspectt hem well, or just replace them. Then check for leaks around the radiator. Check the ends (or tops, depending on where it is welded together) for cracks, or wet spots. Then check the pump. They will have a "weep hole" to see if the seal on the inside of the pump it going out. There will be a small amout of coolant coming out of the weep hole if the seal is going. Then if you still find nothing, you could have a problem in the heater core inside the car. Do you smell intifreeze inside the car? You didn't mention any window fogging, or smell, so I hope not. But that should give you a good place to start.
Unfortunately, sometimes cooling system repairs can get a bit pricy. If you can find the problem, and fix it yourself, you can save a lot of money.
Good luck.
Stevo.
2007-04-10 06:16:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Betty,
I'm sure you read the other answers, the main thing is to get it fixed before it causes you a lot of money, by overheating and destroying the engine. Right now it is minor, but it can get large in just a mile or two.
It really doesn't matter if you add straight anti-freeze or a 50/50 soution. In fact the solution is better and will protect to a lower temp. Good luck hope it's a small fix.
2007-04-10 06:27:15 · answer #2 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your car's engine has two switches to activate the electric fan which cools the radiator. When you activated the AC, the fan came on cooling the motor. But when you shut it off, nothing activated the fan to come on; overheating the engine. A coolant temperature sensor which is the other item that activates the coolant fan, could be bad. A bad thermostat might be another problem where it is not opening allowing circulation of the coolant.
2007-04-10 06:15:17 · answer #3 · answered by SHOTGUN 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I didn't read the link but do know this has been a long used method to get rid of cats in neighborhoods. I had a burly big loud boss that few knew he loved his cat to bits. A fellow business man talked about how he had put out anti freeze for roaming cats to kill them and was surprised to get an ear full about his actions. My old boss made sure he felt bad as he should. If a person will do this to animals, what on earth else have they done. Sad.
2016-05-17 04:29:10 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you had to "add" coolant, there may be a leak somewhere...have the cooling system pressure tested first, to eliminate leaks...
Second, if your coolant is full, but your temp rises abnormally high, then comes down or doesn't come down, either the thermostat needs replacing or the water pump is not circulating properly.
If you are stuck in traffic, and the temp keeps going up, AND all other things are ok, then your cooling fan(s) aren't coming on when they are supposed to...cooling fan temp sensor or dead motor on the fan...
2007-04-10 06:15:16 · answer #5 · answered by Michael B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
After you ride the car and park it, check under the front of the car to see if it's leaking anti-freeze. If it is, you may need a new radiator hose(s) which will cost you under $40 for the hose(s) plus labor. If you punctured the radiator that will cost you around $200 plus labor.
2007-04-10 06:08:29 · answer #6 · answered by Waldo Waldo Waldo! 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it's overheating because you need a new thermostat. Or if you ever notice a puddle of fluid on the floor of your car (usually front seat-passenger side) that means your heater core went. I'd get it checked before something major breaks and that's when it'll get expensive! (Been there a few times!)
2007-04-10 06:08:48 · answer #7 · answered by AGT 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check the thermostat
2007-04-10 06:07:54 · answer #8 · answered by youngjah2289 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who cares what's wrong. Go buy a new car and quit driving around that piece of junk. Now get back to work!
2007-04-12 09:50:48 · answer #9 · answered by David A 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is very possible there is a leak in your car's radiator hose. Most radiator problems are inexpensive anyways.
2007-04-10 06:05:56 · answer #10 · answered by Nate 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋