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mike87
New User
Sep 8, 2006, 1:08 PM
Post #1 of 10
(2252 views)
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1989 Acura Legend L
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Hi, recently with the last few months I was coming from North Carolina to Kentucky (600 some odd mile drive) and a little bit outside of Nashville, TN my car started smoking so I pulled off at a rest area
the water in the radiator was so hot that it was blowing it pure steam into the overflow the overflow was shaking like crazy because of the pressure being put on it I had to unscrew the cap for the overflow so it could blow all the steam out of the radiator
The cooling fans are working, thermostat is A ok replaced it 3 times, still doing it and the belts are OK my brother checked them for me
my dad says it is probably the head gaskets he works on cars a lot but hasn't got a chance to look at it at all yet
there isn't water coming out of the tailpipe, any leaks, nothing it's just like the water in the radiator is superheating and turning to pure steam and coming out of the overflow
it won't make it but about 5-10 miles before it starts doing it so I can't really drive it anywhere I had to have a tow track come tow it into kentucky
Any ideas what could be causing this? I don't really know much about cars
and also the only things different I did before the trip were add freon to the A/C (switched it over from old type to the new one) that's the only thing that was different
(This post was edited by mike87 on Sep 8, 2006, 1:13 PM)
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carjunky
Enthusiast
Sep 8, 2006, 1:38 PM
Post #2 of 10
(2246 views)
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Re: 1989 Acura Legend L
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Who filled the radiator with fluid last? did you mix 50 / 50 water and antifreeze ? if your running mostly water that will lower the coolants boiling point. and you will need to add antifreeze to balance it out.
on the other hand if the coolant level is OK, you may need to wait for Tom, He is the AC expert around here and maybe the new freon did something.
Then again driving with ac on during hot days can have its toll on a car, especially an older vehicle.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 9, 2006, 11:22 AM
Post #4 of 10
(2240 views)
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Re: 1989 Acura Legend L
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Hi - I'm here,
Let's get this cooling problem fixed first and hit back all you want with the A/C.
Sounds like you DO need a head gasket repair. Of many ways they can fail is to put exhaust into the cooling system. Test for that with a cold engine and feel the upper rad hose before you start it up. It should not build up pressure very quickly but is supposed to as it warms up.
OK: If you feel pressure too quickly you could take the rad cap off when safe to do so, then check for bubbles comming up. Those just strong indications of needing the head gasket and or head work to fix this. It's wicked not good for you engine to overheat so the sooner the better.
As said -- we'll take care of A/C later. If the engine doesn't run you can't have A/C, T
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mike87
New User
Sep 9, 2006, 12:21 PM
Post #5 of 10
(2238 views)
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Re: 1989 Acura Legend L
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I did what you said just now Tom
the car was cold (Hasn't been started in weeks)
I started it up the pressure didn't change right away but within the first 1-2 minutes of it being started the hose got warm and harder, I felt the componets of the car nothing to my reach was warm even
damaged head gasket then?
P.S..there was no bubbles... but if I tap the top radiator hose it knocks lose some bubbles in there and it bubbles up to the top and the water goes down a bit
(This post was edited by mike87 on Sep 9, 2006, 12:44 PM)
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Sep 9, 2006, 4:01 PM
Post #6 of 10
(2234 views)
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Re: 1989 Acura Legend L
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there are products that can check for exhaust in the the coolant . why hasnt anyone mentioned water pump failure. also is this electric fan or clutch driven fan as in is there a belt on the pulley with the fan. i dont know too much but its all i can think of now.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 9, 2006, 8:52 PM
Post #7 of 10
(2232 views)
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Re: 1989 Acura Legend L
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One to two minutes is just too quick except exhaust parts to warm up.
Tis is getting tricky by keyboard but next I would try to feel the hot water at the upper hose going into the rad and should be notably cooler at the bottom return hose or somehow the radiator isn't working.
It could be unable to transfer the heat from internal corrosion which is hard to see but if flushed would at least show the flow and some crusty stuff will NOT be removed by flushing it out.
Here to help. Tell me/us whatever you notice and we are doing our best. Any Ideas folks?
If all fails get this problem in to a trusted mechanic real soon with the info you have. Damn, I wish I could witness this! Many minds make great work but this should not go on for long or there will be more problems, T
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 9, 2006, 9:08 PM
Post #8 of 10
(2230 views)
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Re: 1989 Acura Legend L
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Water pump failures are leakes and bearings. When I see the first one that doesn't pump water even while failing I'll post it, T
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Sep 10, 2006, 1:40 PM
Post #9 of 10
(2228 views)
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Re: 1989 Acura Legend L
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i had a water pump failure at my shop recently where the shaft had broken. engine would run but no water being pumped. dont mean any disrespect T. ive read many of your replies and they are all good.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 10, 2006, 6:40 PM
Post #10 of 10
(2224 views)
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Re: 1989 Acura Legend L
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That would be the fault that would stop a water pump. A missing belt would be obvious. I've never seen a water pump break like that in many decades but it sure doesn't mean it can't happen.
Thanks for the respose as you are the first that I've ever heard that happening to, T
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