Rep Power: 0

Evening folks.

This same car has had overheating problems in the past. Back then, it was because of the Head Gasket, which with the help of my mechanic family member, replaced the head gasket, resurfaced the head, and did the timing belt and water pump. I also replaced the thermostat. Now, I'm not entirely sure. Here is what happened today. It is a long read, so I apologize:

It rained heavily yesterday and today (my car sometimes acts weird when it rains, it overheated once after we replaced the headgasket but never again. Overheat in this case is steam coming from the radiator area). I drove to work, and pulling out onto the street I heard what sounded like me running something over on the passenger side wheel. I thought I had hit something, or popped a tire. Maybe it was something burping out of my exhaust? Wheel wasn't popped so I ignored it.

After work, I drove about three miles to a gas station (freeway speed then traffic/stop and go). When I pulled up to the pump, I noticed steam coming from the right hand side of my hood (where the reservoir and radiator are). The heat gauge was almost to the top, as well.

I shut off my car immediately, pumped my gas. When I turned on my car, it was still around 75% heat. I started moving and the overheat went away. This persisted even in stop-and-go traffic all the way home for 30 minutes.. it didn't go back to the previous overheat level.

When I got back home I checked the reservoir and saw that it was a little low-- I refilled it. After letting the car cool, I checked the radiator, and it seemed fine. There are no leaks on the top radiator hose or the bottom radiator hose (I felt along both of them with my hand for any wetness or leaks-- none. I am a little low on oil but not critically so.

My car has a history of acting weird / overheating in the rain (but not necessarily cold weather). I'm trying to piece together what is happening. I just (two years ago) replaced the head gasket through a mechanic. The reservoir, back then, would overflow after a long drive on the freeway. This was the opposite case this time around. What do you guys think is going on?

 
Rep Power: 222

Wonder if the water is getting in to the fan wiring or the fans themselves and causing them to stop working

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for the reply,

My car doesn't always act like this when it rains-- it could be a fluke. However, the two times my car started to overheat after the gasket change was during the rain, and both at low-speeds. I checked my car again for leaks, fluid loss, the smell of antifreeze in the exhaust, made sure the oil was topped off.

Earlier this morning, I did smell antifreeze, and I did smell oil, when I started up my car, since I had topped off both the night before. When I got to work, the fluid did seem a little low in the reservoir despite filling it up the night before-- but I had filled them up both times when they were hot.. so I don't know? I'm not sure if that is a symptom either. After a 45-minute drive home in 5mph traffic stop and go, my car did not overheat. I got home and there was no fluid loss, and the reservoir was not overflowing (as it happened when my first head gasket blew).

 
Rep Power: 210

Inspect for leaves, plastic bag, or other items that may possibly be blocking the front of the radiator. When the engine is cold use a power washer or hose with nozzle to spray off the radiator fins. Optionally, can use HVAC evaporator coil cleaner in addition to spraying the rad-core off with water.

Unplug the radiator fan near the thermostat housing and inspect for corrosion. Clean both terminals and spray with an electronic spray. Optionally, you could keep the radiator fan on constantly if you want to jumper the wires: https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-...rking-2580655/

Replace the radiator cap with a new Honda genuine (only) .. do not use an aftermarket. Also, remove the hose from the radiator neck that leads to the reservoir and blow air through it to ensure it's not clogged. Remove and clean the inside of the reservoir as well.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thank you for replying.

I'm going to get a new radiator cap (though the one I have doesn't look like it is leaking) and make sure the radiator is clean, along with checking the fuses and whatnot.

After driving the car to and from work, checking for leaks and any dip of coolant in both the radiator and the reservoir, I've found no change in the levels. Maybe the low fluid in the reservoir was the problem in the first place? I'm not sure.

I'll be doing the chemical test on the radiator when I have the time, but from what I'm telling you, do you think it could be another head gasket?

 
Rep Power: 0

I'll do all what you said, and also do a chemical test when I can get it. But, from what you can tell from what I'm describing, does it sound like another head gasket leak?

I've driven the car to and from work for the past few days, and the problem hasn't come back. No fluid loss in either the radiator or the reservoir (though when it originally overheated the reservoir was low). There.. is? A slight antifreeze smell every once in a while when I open the hood while the car is running, though. It's just light enough that I think it might be my paranoia, though. I"m not sure.

 
Rep Power: 222

The smell could be a slight seep from a hose connection or the rad, if you look around you might be able to see dried coolant at the leak source