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Proper Radiator Cap Pressure Rating for 1994 Honda Accord EX?



 
 
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  #1  
Old July 22nd 06, 01:39 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.honda
Gary Kaucher
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 36
Default Proper Radiator Cap Pressure Rating for 1994 Honda Accord EX?

1994 Honda Accord EX, 4 door
4 cylinder, Automatic Transmission

I just recently replaced the Radiator fan motor, and now both my AC fan
and Radiator fan seem to be capable of turning on and off. However,
I don't think that they are turning on soon enough. With the recent hot
weather here in PA, if I idle the car with the AC off, I've noticed that
the temperature gauge needle will rise to just under the red zone (hot),
and then both fans (AC and Radiator) will come on, cool things a
little, turn off and then cycle on and off as they should, but at a
generally
higher temperature than I remember in the past. The radiator cap is rated at
13 psi. Is this the correct rating for the above vehicle? I am wondering if
it
may have been accidentally replaced last summer.

Thanks,

Gary


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  #2  
Old July 22nd 06, 02:03 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.honda
jim beam[_1_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 127
Default Proper Radiator Cap Pressure Rating for 1994 Honda Accord EX?

Gary Kaucher wrote:
> 1994 Honda Accord EX, 4 door
> 4 cylinder, Automatic Transmission
>
> I just recently replaced the Radiator fan motor, and now both my AC fan
> and Radiator fan seem to be capable of turning on and off. However,
> I don't think that they are turning on soon enough. With the recent hot
> weather here in PA, if I idle the car with the AC off, I've noticed that
> the temperature gauge needle will rise to just under the red zone (hot),
> and then both fans (AC and Radiator) will come on, cool things a
> little, turn off and then cycle on and off as they should, but at a
> generally
> higher temperature than I remember in the past. The radiator cap is rated at
> 13 psi. Is this the correct rating for the above vehicle? I am wondering if
> it
> may have been accidentally replaced last summer.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Gary
>
>


before worrying about the cap pressure, consider the following:

when was the thermostat last replaced?

in what condition is the radiator? is it clogged/sludged? filled with
bugs?

what level is the coolant? are you losing any? any bubbles in it?
[check inside the radiator, not just look at the expansion bottle.]
  #3  
Old July 22nd 06, 03:37 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.honda
Gary Kaucher
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 36
Default Proper Radiator Cap Pressure Rating for 1994 Honda Accord EX?


"jim beam" > wrote in message
t...
> Gary Kaucher wrote:
> > 1994 Honda Accord EX, 4 door
> > 4 cylinder, Automatic Transmission
> >
> > I just recently replaced the Radiator fan motor, and now both my AC fan
> > and Radiator fan seem to be capable of turning on and off. However,
> > I don't think that they are turning on soon enough. With the recent hot
> > weather here in PA, if I idle the car with the AC off, I've noticed that
> > the temperature gauge needle will rise to just under the red zone (hot),
> > and then both fans (AC and Radiator) will come on, cool things a
> > little, turn off and then cycle on and off as they should, but at a
> > generally
> > higher temperature than I remember in the past. The radiator cap is

rated at
> > 13 psi. Is this the correct rating for the above vehicle? I am wondering

if
> > it
> > may have been accidentally replaced last summer.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Gary
> >
> >

>
> before worrying about the cap pressure, consider the following:
>
> when was the thermostat last replaced?
>
> in what condition is the radiator? is it clogged/sludged? filled with
> bugs?
>
> what level is the coolant? are you losing any? any bubbles in it?
> [check inside the radiator, not just look at the expansion bottle.]



The thermostat was replaced last summer. When I looked into the
radiator recently I did not see anything particulary unsightly, but I
suspect that it may have been six years and 50K since the antifreeze
has been changed. I keep the coolant level between Cold and Hot, and
I don't appear to be losing any. I thought that I saw bubbles once in the
expansion bottle, so I fiddled with the radiator cap, and they seemed
to go away. I imagine that I could be due for some kind of radiator
flush and antifreeze replacement. The antifreeze doesn't look too bad,
but I suspect I've seen cleaner.

I called an auto parts place just to see what pressure rating was listed for
my Honda Accord's radiator cap and they said 16 psi. Since the one that
I have is 13 psi I wonder if it is the wrong radiator cap, and if it would
make a
significant difference in the ECT sensor's ability to turn the fans on at
the correct
temperature.

Or, is six year old antifreeze more likely to be a factor?


Thanks,
Gary


  #4  
Old July 22nd 06, 03:58 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.honda
Nick
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 18
Default Proper Radiator Cap Pressure Rating for 1994 Honda Accord EX?

The temperature level should not go above the 1/4 mark on he 94-97
models. On my 95 Accord in the 9 years that I have owned it never went
past that mark. You could have some air in the system. I would suggest
that you purge that air out first and go from there. I'm not certain
if the cap could be a problem but just to rule out any possibilities,
I'd get one from your local Honda dealer. They shouldn't be that
expensive to get and it's one thing to rule out of the checklist.

Good Luck,
Nick

On Fri, 21 Jul 2006 22:37:38 -0400, "Gary Kaucher"
> wrote:

>
>"jim beam" > wrote in message
et...
>> Gary Kaucher wrote:
>> > 1994 Honda Accord EX, 4 door
>> > 4 cylinder, Automatic Transmission
>> >
>> > I just recently replaced the Radiator fan motor, and now both my AC fan
>> > and Radiator fan seem to be capable of turning on and off. However,
>> > I don't think that they are turning on soon enough. With the recent hot
>> > weather here in PA, if I idle the car with the AC off, I've noticed that
>> > the temperature gauge needle will rise to just under the red zone (hot),
>> > and then both fans (AC and Radiator) will come on, cool things a
>> > little, turn off and then cycle on and off as they should, but at a
>> > generally
>> > higher temperature than I remember in the past. The radiator cap is

>rated at
>> > 13 psi. Is this the correct rating for the above vehicle? I am wondering

>if
>> > it
>> > may have been accidentally replaced last summer.
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > Gary
>> >
>> >

>>
>> before worrying about the cap pressure, consider the following:
>>
>> when was the thermostat last replaced?
>>
>> in what condition is the radiator? is it clogged/sludged? filled with
>> bugs?
>>
>> what level is the coolant? are you losing any? any bubbles in it?
>> [check inside the radiator, not just look at the expansion bottle.]

>
>
>The thermostat was replaced last summer. When I looked into the
>radiator recently I did not see anything particulary unsightly, but I
>suspect that it may have been six years and 50K since the antifreeze
>has been changed. I keep the coolant level between Cold and Hot, and
>I don't appear to be losing any. I thought that I saw bubbles once in the
>expansion bottle, so I fiddled with the radiator cap, and they seemed
>to go away. I imagine that I could be due for some kind of radiator
>flush and antifreeze replacement. The antifreeze doesn't look too bad,
>but I suspect I've seen cleaner.
>
>I called an auto parts place just to see what pressure rating was listed for
>my Honda Accord's radiator cap and they said 16 psi. Since the one that
>I have is 13 psi I wonder if it is the wrong radiator cap, and if it would
>make a
>significant difference in the ECT sensor's ability to turn the fans on at
>the correct
>temperature.
>
>Or, is six year old antifreeze more likely to be a factor?
>
>
>Thanks,
>Gary
>


  #5  
Old July 22nd 06, 04:14 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.honda
jim beam[_1_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 127
Default Proper Radiator Cap Pressure Rating for 1994 Honda Accord EX?

Gary Kaucher wrote:
> "jim beam" > wrote in message
> t...
>> Gary Kaucher wrote:
>>> 1994 Honda Accord EX, 4 door
>>> 4 cylinder, Automatic Transmission
>>>
>>> I just recently replaced the Radiator fan motor, and now both my AC fan
>>> and Radiator fan seem to be capable of turning on and off. However,
>>> I don't think that they are turning on soon enough. With the recent hot
>>> weather here in PA, if I idle the car with the AC off, I've noticed that
>>> the temperature gauge needle will rise to just under the red zone (hot),
>>> and then both fans (AC and Radiator) will come on, cool things a
>>> little, turn off and then cycle on and off as they should, but at a
>>> generally
>>> higher temperature than I remember in the past. The radiator cap is

> rated at
>>> 13 psi. Is this the correct rating for the above vehicle? I am wondering

> if
>>> it
>>> may have been accidentally replaced last summer.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Gary
>>>
>>>

>> before worrying about the cap pressure, consider the following:
>>
>> when was the thermostat last replaced?
>>
>> in what condition is the radiator? is it clogged/sludged? filled with
>> bugs?
>>
>> what level is the coolant? are you losing any? any bubbles in it?
>> [check inside the radiator, not just look at the expansion bottle.]

>
>
> The thermostat was replaced last summer. When I looked into the
> radiator recently I did not see anything particulary unsightly, but I
> suspect that it may have been six years and 50K since the antifreeze
> has been changed.


hard to change the thermostat without changing the coolant.

> I keep the coolant level between Cold and Hot, and
> I don't appear to be losing any. I thought that I saw bubbles once in the
> expansion bottle, so I fiddled with the radiator cap, and they seemed
> to go away.


hmm, that's suspect.

> I imagine that I could be due for some kind of radiator
> flush and antifreeze replacement. The antifreeze doesn't look too bad,
> but I suspect I've seen cleaner.


can't hurt.

>
> I called an auto parts place just to see what pressure rating was listed for
> my Honda Accord's radiator cap and they said 16 psi. Since the one that
> I have is 13 psi I wonder if it is the wrong radiator cap, and if it would
> make a
> significant difference in the ECT sensor's ability to turn the fans on at
> the correct
> temperature.


no, it won't affect that at all. a higher pressure cap just elevates
the boiling point a little.

>
> Or, is six year old antifreeze more likely to be a factor?


not unless it's really dirty. check the thermal switch and the fan
relays for operation. if the switch checks out ok, to eliminate the
head gasket as a suspect, have a chemical test done on the coolant to
see if there's exhaust gas in there. then look at the radiator again.
they fill up with bugs and all kinds of other debris that impairs
airflow significantly. if replacement is in order, i've had good
experience with these folks:

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com...pe=A utomatic

i'd go plastic tank.
  #6  
Old July 22nd 06, 05:18 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.honda
AZ Nomad[_1_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 43
Default Proper Radiator Cap Pressure Rating for 1994 Honda Accord EX?

On Fri, 21 Jul 2006 20:14:15 -0700, jim beam > wrote:


>Gary Kaucher wrote:
>> "jim beam" > wrote in message
>> t...
>>> Gary Kaucher wrote:
>>>> 1994 Honda Accord EX, 4 door
>>>> 4 cylinder, Automatic Transmission
>>>>
>>>> I just recently replaced the Radiator fan motor, and now both my AC fan
>>>> and Radiator fan seem to be capable of turning on and off. However,
>>>> I don't think that they are turning on soon enough. With the recent hot
>>>> weather here in PA, if I idle the car with the AC off, I've noticed that
>>>> the temperature gauge needle will rise to just under the red zone (hot),
>>>> and then both fans (AC and Radiator) will come on, cool things a
>>>> little, turn off and then cycle on and off as they should, but at a
>>>> generally
>>>> higher temperature than I remember in the past. The radiator cap is

>> rated at
>>>> 13 psi. Is this the correct rating for the above vehicle? I am wondering

>> if
>>>> it
>>>> may have been accidentally replaced last summer.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>>
>>>> Gary
>>>>
>>>>
>>> before worrying about the cap pressure, consider the following:
>>>
>>> when was the thermostat last replaced?
>>>
>>> in what condition is the radiator? is it clogged/sludged? filled with
>>> bugs?
>>>
>>> what level is the coolant? are you losing any? any bubbles in it?
>>> [check inside the radiator, not just look at the expansion bottle.]

>>
>>
>> The thermostat was replaced last summer. When I looked into the
>> radiator recently I did not see anything particulary unsightly, but I
>> suspect that it may have been six years and 50K since the antifreeze
>> has been changed.


>hard to change the thermostat without changing the coolant.


Only if you do the job with the car upside down.

  #7  
Old July 22nd 06, 05:34 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.honda
jim beam[_1_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 127
Default Proper Radiator Cap Pressure Rating for 1994 Honda Accord EX?

AZ Nomad wrote:
> On Fri, 21 Jul 2006 20:14:15 -0700, jim beam > wrote:
>
>
>> Gary Kaucher wrote:
>>> "jim beam" > wrote in message
>>> t...
>>>> Gary Kaucher wrote:
>>>>> 1994 Honda Accord EX, 4 door
>>>>> 4 cylinder, Automatic Transmission
>>>>>
>>>>> I just recently replaced the Radiator fan motor, and now both my AC fan
>>>>> and Radiator fan seem to be capable of turning on and off. However,
>>>>> I don't think that they are turning on soon enough. With the recent hot
>>>>> weather here in PA, if I idle the car with the AC off, I've noticed that
>>>>> the temperature gauge needle will rise to just under the red zone (hot),
>>>>> and then both fans (AC and Radiator) will come on, cool things a
>>>>> little, turn off and then cycle on and off as they should, but at a
>>>>> generally
>>>>> higher temperature than I remember in the past. The radiator cap is
>>> rated at
>>>>> 13 psi. Is this the correct rating for the above vehicle? I am wondering
>>> if
>>>>> it
>>>>> may have been accidentally replaced last summer.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>
>>>>> Gary
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> before worrying about the cap pressure, consider the following:
>>>>
>>>> when was the thermostat last replaced?
>>>>
>>>> in what condition is the radiator? is it clogged/sludged? filled with
>>>> bugs?
>>>>
>>>> what level is the coolant? are you losing any? any bubbles in it?
>>>> [check inside the radiator, not just look at the expansion bottle.]
>>>
>>> The thermostat was replaced last summer. When I looked into the
>>> radiator recently I did not see anything particulary unsightly, but I
>>> suspect that it may have been six years and 50K since the antifreeze
>>> has been changed.

>
>> hard to change the thermostat without changing the coolant.

>
> Only if you do the job with the car upside down.
>

ok, let's be pedantic because you know i'm like that. the elevation of
the thermostat relative to the engine block is about 2/3rds the height
of the whole. and of that, the head carries a significant quantity of
the coolant. for the engine, i therefore estimate you'll lose roughly
1/2 its fill of coolant. for the radiator, i estimate roughly 1/3rd.
hoses, maybe another 1/3rd. that makes roughly 40% of the coolant
changes with a thermostat. that's a higher percentage than you can
change on the automatic transmission.
  #8  
Old July 22nd 06, 02:22 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.honda
Gary Kaucher
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 36
Default Proper Radiator Cap Pressure Rating for 1994 Honda Accord EX?


"jim beam" > wrote in message
t...
> Gary Kaucher wrote:
> > "jim beam" > wrote in message
> > t...
> >> Gary Kaucher wrote:
> >>> 1994 Honda Accord EX, 4 door
> >>> 4 cylinder, Automatic Transmission
> >>>
> >>> I just recently replaced the Radiator fan motor, and now both my AC

fan
> >>> and Radiator fan seem to be capable of turning on and off. However,
> >>> I don't think that they are turning on soon enough. With the recent

hot
> >>> weather here in PA, if I idle the car with the AC off, I've noticed

that
> >>> the temperature gauge needle will rise to just under the red zone

(hot),
> >>> and then both fans (AC and Radiator) will come on, cool things a
> >>> little, turn off and then cycle on and off as they should, but at a
> >>> generally
> >>> higher temperature than I remember in the past. The radiator cap is

> > rated at
> >>> 13 psi. Is this the correct rating for the above vehicle? I am

wondering
> > if
> >>> it
> >>> may have been accidentally replaced last summer.
> >>>
> >>> Thanks,
> >>>
> >>> Gary
> >>>
> >>>
> >> before worrying about the cap pressure, consider the following:
> >>
> >> when was the thermostat last replaced?
> >>
> >> in what condition is the radiator? is it clogged/sludged? filled with
> >> bugs?
> >>
> >> what level is the coolant? are you losing any? any bubbles in it?
> >> [check inside the radiator, not just look at the expansion bottle.]

> >
> >
> > The thermostat was replaced last summer. When I looked into the
> > radiator recently I did not see anything particulary unsightly, but I
> > suspect that it may have been six years and 50K since the antifreeze
> > has been changed.

>
> hard to change the thermostat without changing the coolant.
>
> > I keep the coolant level between Cold and Hot, and
> > I don't appear to be losing any. I thought that I saw bubbles once in

the
> > expansion bottle, so I fiddled with the radiator cap, and they seemed
> > to go away.

>
> hmm, that's suspect.
>
> > I imagine that I could be due for some kind of radiator
> > flush and antifreeze replacement. The antifreeze doesn't look too bad,
> > but I suspect I've seen cleaner.

>
> can't hurt.
>
> >
> > I called an auto parts place just to see what pressure rating was listed

for
> > my Honda Accord's radiator cap and they said 16 psi. Since the one that
> > I have is 13 psi I wonder if it is the wrong radiator cap, and if it

would
> > make a
> > significant difference in the ECT sensor's ability to turn the fans on

at
> > the correct
> > temperature.

>
> no, it won't affect that at all. a higher pressure cap just elevates
> the boiling point a little.
>
> >
> > Or, is six year old antifreeze more likely to be a factor?

>
> not unless it's really dirty. check the thermal switch and the fan
> relays for operation. if the switch checks out ok, to eliminate the
> head gasket as a suspect, have a chemical test done on the coolant to
> see if there's exhaust gas in there. then look at the radiator again.
> they fill up with bugs and all kinds of other debris that impairs
> airflow significantly. if replacement is in order, i've had good
> experience with these folks:
>
>

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com...pe=A utomatic
>
> i'd go plastic tank.



This car is mostly driven on short trips over country roads. It is only
recently that we are
having really hot weather here in PA, so I suspect that this problem may
have existed
for awhile, possibly since last summer. Yesterday was particularly hot, and
I drove the
car for about an hour before I noticed that the fans were cycling at a
higher than
expected temperature (around the 3/4 mark). Overnight things cooled off, and
when
I checked the antifreeze reservoir, it looked like the radiator may have
sipped about
a pint out of it. I removed the radiator cap, started up the engine and
added antifreeze
whenever I could. I would say that it may have taken another pint . Now the
fans are back
to cycling on and off at about the 1/4 mark as Nick indicated. So I think
that might be back
in business. I did notice some things when I purged the radiator:

1) I would sometimes see bubbles coming from the coolant at the radiator
fill.
2) The level of coolant would go up and sometimes overflow
the radiator when I revved the engine up to about 2000 RPM.

Do either of these things imply a bad head gasket? If so, maybe that is the
reason that I needed to
add coolant. If not, maybe the radiator was never properly purged last
summer when the thermostat
was changed.

How can you tell when the thermostat opens? Does the big hose on top of the
radiator become
pressurized?

Thanks everyone for all the help.

Gary


  #9  
Old July 22nd 06, 02:47 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.honda
jim beam[_1_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 127
Default Proper Radiator Cap Pressure Rating for 1994 Honda Accord EX?

Gary Kaucher wrote:
> "jim beam" > wrote in message
> t...
>> Gary Kaucher wrote:
>>> "jim beam" > wrote in message
>>> t...
>>>> Gary Kaucher wrote:
>>>>> 1994 Honda Accord EX, 4 door
>>>>> 4 cylinder, Automatic Transmission
>>>>>
>>>>> I just recently replaced the Radiator fan motor, and now both my AC

> fan
>>>>> and Radiator fan seem to be capable of turning on and off. However,
>>>>> I don't think that they are turning on soon enough. With the recent

> hot
>>>>> weather here in PA, if I idle the car with the AC off, I've noticed

> that
>>>>> the temperature gauge needle will rise to just under the red zone

> (hot),
>>>>> and then both fans (AC and Radiator) will come on, cool things a
>>>>> little, turn off and then cycle on and off as they should, but at a
>>>>> generally
>>>>> higher temperature than I remember in the past. The radiator cap is
>>> rated at
>>>>> 13 psi. Is this the correct rating for the above vehicle? I am

> wondering
>>> if
>>>>> it
>>>>> may have been accidentally replaced last summer.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>
>>>>> Gary
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> before worrying about the cap pressure, consider the following:
>>>>
>>>> when was the thermostat last replaced?
>>>>
>>>> in what condition is the radiator? is it clogged/sludged? filled with
>>>> bugs?
>>>>
>>>> what level is the coolant? are you losing any? any bubbles in it?
>>>> [check inside the radiator, not just look at the expansion bottle.]
>>>
>>> The thermostat was replaced last summer. When I looked into the
>>> radiator recently I did not see anything particulary unsightly, but I
>>> suspect that it may have been six years and 50K since the antifreeze
>>> has been changed.

>> hard to change the thermostat without changing the coolant.
>>
>>> I keep the coolant level between Cold and Hot, and
>>> I don't appear to be losing any. I thought that I saw bubbles once in

> the
>>> expansion bottle, so I fiddled with the radiator cap, and they seemed
>>> to go away.

>> hmm, that's suspect.
>>
>>> I imagine that I could be due for some kind of radiator
>>> flush and antifreeze replacement. The antifreeze doesn't look too bad,
>>> but I suspect I've seen cleaner.

>> can't hurt.
>>
>>> I called an auto parts place just to see what pressure rating was listed

> for
>>> my Honda Accord's radiator cap and they said 16 psi. Since the one that
>>> I have is 13 psi I wonder if it is the wrong radiator cap, and if it

> would
>>> make a
>>> significant difference in the ECT sensor's ability to turn the fans on

> at
>>> the correct
>>> temperature.

>> no, it won't affect that at all. a higher pressure cap just elevates
>> the boiling point a little.
>>
>>> Or, is six year old antifreeze more likely to be a factor?

>> not unless it's really dirty. check the thermal switch and the fan
>> relays for operation. if the switch checks out ok, to eliminate the
>> head gasket as a suspect, have a chemical test done on the coolant to
>> see if there's exhaust gas in there. then look at the radiator again.
>> they fill up with bugs and all kinds of other debris that impairs
>> airflow significantly. if replacement is in order, i've had good
>> experience with these folks:
>>
>>

> http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com...pe=A utomatic
>> i'd go plastic tank.

>
>
> This car is mostly driven on short trips over country roads. It is only
> recently that we are
> having really hot weather here in PA, so I suspect that this problem may
> have existed
> for awhile, possibly since last summer. Yesterday was particularly hot, and
> I drove the
> car for about an hour before I noticed that the fans were cycling at a
> higher than
> expected temperature (around the 3/4 mark). Overnight things cooled off, and
> when
> I checked the antifreeze reservoir, it looked like the radiator may have
> sipped about
> a pint out of it. I removed the radiator cap, started up the engine and
> added antifreeze
> whenever I could. I would say that it may have taken another pint . Now the
> fans are back
> to cycling on and off at about the 1/4 mark as Nick indicated.


excellent. you'll see gas mileage improve now too!

> So I think
> that might be back
> in business. I did notice some things when I purged the radiator:
>
> 1) I would sometimes see bubbles coming from the coolant at the radiator
> fill.


that's normal when refilling. fill it as much as you can, then put the
cap back on and crack open the bleed nipple. let some air out, close,
rev the engine, and crack open the nipple one more time. bubbles you
see after a few minutes and at full working temperature are suspect.
keep the heater full on while doing this too.

> 2) The level of coolant would go up and sometimes overflow
> the radiator when I revved the engine up to about 2000 RPM.


that's normal - don't worry about it. the fluid expands as it gets warm
and will surge as the pump increases pressure.

>
> Do either of these things imply a bad head gasket?


no.

> If so, maybe that is the
> reason that I needed to
> add coolant. If not, maybe the radiator was never properly purged last
> summer when the thermostat
> was changed.


let's say the system was never purged. replenish accordingly, but stay
on top of this situation by checking daily. the early stages of a
gasket failure have very minor symptoms and may persist for a
considerable period before they get bad enough to warrant surgery.

>
> How can you tell when the thermostat opens? Does the big hose on top of the
> radiator become
> pressurized?


there will be pressure, but that's not a result of the thermostat
function - pressure is equal throughout the system. the thermostat's
open when the /bottom/ hose gets hot.

>
> Thanks everyone for all the help.
>
> Gary
>
>

  #10  
Old July 22nd 06, 05:24 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.honda
Elle
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 401
Default Proper Radiator Cap Pressure Rating for 1994 Honda Accord EX?


"jim beam" > wrote in message
t...
> AZ Nomad wrote:
>> On Fri, 21 Jul 2006 20:14:15 -0700, jim beam
>> > wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Gary Kaucher wrote:
>>>> "jim beam" > wrote in message
>>>> t...
>>>>> Gary Kaucher wrote:
>>>>>> 1994 Honda Accord EX, 4 door
>>>>>> 4 cylinder, Automatic Transmission
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I just recently replaced the Radiator fan motor, and
>>>>>> now both my AC fan
>>>>>> and Radiator fan seem to be capable of turning on and
>>>>>> off. However,
>>>>>> I don't think that they are turning on soon enough.
>>>>>> With the recent hot
>>>>>> weather here in PA, if I idle the car with the AC
>>>>>> off, I've noticed that
>>>>>> the temperature gauge needle will rise to just under
>>>>>> the red zone (hot),
>>>>>> and then both fans (AC and Radiator) will come on,
>>>>>> cool things a
>>>>>> little, turn off and then cycle on and off as they
>>>>>> should, but at a
>>>>>> generally
>>>>>> higher temperature than I remember in the past. The
>>>>>> radiator cap is
>>>> rated at
>>>>>> 13 psi. Is this the correct rating for the above
>>>>>> vehicle? I am wondering
>>>> if
>>>>>> it
>>>>>> may have been accidentally replaced last summer.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Gary
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>> before worrying about the cap pressure, consider the
>>>>> following:
>>>>>
>>>>> when was the thermostat last replaced?
>>>>>
>>>>> in what condition is the radiator? is it
>>>>> clogged/sludged? filled with
>>>>> bugs?
>>>>>
>>>>> what level is the coolant? are you losing any? any
>>>>> bubbles in it?
>>>>> [check inside the radiator, not just look at the
>>>>> expansion bottle.]
>>>>
>>>> The thermostat was replaced last summer. When I looked
>>>> into the
>>>> radiator recently I did not see anything particulary
>>>> unsightly, but I
>>>> suspect that it may have been six years and 50K since
>>>> the antifreeze
>>>> has been changed.

>>
>>> hard to change the thermostat without changing the
>>> coolant.

>>
>> Only if you do the job with the car upside down.
>>

> ok, let's be pedantic because you know i'm like that.


I don't know what I'd call you, except it's not "pedantic."
Let's just be honest.

One does not have to change the coolant on all Hondas after
a thermostat change.

Have a gallon of coolant (OEM or whatever is used in the
car) on hand, because one certainly will lose some.


> the elevation of the thermostat relative to the engine
> block is about 2/3rds the height of the whole. and of
> that, the head carries a significant quantity of the
> coolant. for the engine, i therefore estimate you'll lose
> roughly 1/2 its fill of coolant. for the radiator, i
> estimate roughly 1/3rd. hoses, maybe another 1/3rd. that
> makes roughly 40% of the coolant changes with a
> thermostat. that's a higher percentage than you can
> change on the automatic transmission.


That's the ball park.


 




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