89 Legend Overheating @ start

[DarkVader]

The victim:
'89 Acura Legend/5 speed
-200+K(NOT sure the odometer died @ 137K)
-Good reliable car ONLY issues CEL(Because the odometer isn't working)
&
-The ALB light comes on because the right rear brake fluid is leaking(very very slowly).
Other than those the car I let warm up everyday from cold start to normal operating temp before driving(which is what I think has the car lasting so long). It also has a flaky starting which I leave alone for a few mins then it will start(That is my ONLY gremlin)...Nothing else bothers me...

Hello all...I tried lQQkin thru the forum for help on this...

This happened at cold start:
-In the morning when I tried to start the car it started looping or revving higher (above 2k rpm) then back down to 1.5K...It continues this step over and over.
-Then when the engine reaches normal engine temp it idles at its normal idle which is 900-1K rpm...Like nothing is wrong.
-After the engine temp reaches mid-way(normal) I think the fan would come on, but it doesn't any more & the temp guage continues to climb.
-I tried turning on the AC to see if the fans come on & they do. But the temperature continues to climb. And the fan doesn't stay on.

*The car does push out warm air so this lead me to believe the thermostat isn't to blame.
*The fan does come on, but does NOT stay on to cool the engine.
*I feel the upper hose comming from the radiator & I can feel bubbling to let me know its also circulating through the engine.

This is my daily car, I maintain it...although lately its in need of a full tune up(plugs, oil, and TLC). I'm very in-tune to the car so I haven't driven it, because I don't want to further complicate the problem.

Going to try this when I get home:
~Increasing the radiator fluids(antifreeze & water) in the car.
~Search for leaks in the radiator hose(lower) the upper1 I replaced a few months ago.
~See if the radiator is leaking or clogged(not sure how 2 do this)
~Would like 2 check some sensors(again not sure how 2 do this)

-If I don't get these to work I'm going to take it 2 the local Acura/Honda mechanic($$$$). I'm VERY handy with the car & I've done everything from a clutch replacement to maintaining the car since 1996. So if some1 could provide with some troubleshooting tips I'll be very greatful I'm looking forward 2 be a useful & cool participant to the site...
ANY help would be appreciated. TIA

[sam o nela]

Change out the TW/coolant sensor, flush the entire cooling system, might as well get a new OEM thermostat while your at it, and bleed it properly with Honda coolant....

BTW, what code is the ECU giving you regarding the CEL?

[DarkVader]

Originally Posted by sam o nela

Change out the TW/coolant sensor, flush the entire cooling system, might as well get a new OEM thermostat while your at it, and bleed it properly with Honda coolant....

BTW, what code is the ECU giving you regarding the CEL?

Sam, Thanks for responding. Just wanted to bring every1 up to date. I tried adding the additional fluid & it seams THAT was the problem.

I did read some other post on the site so I related the tip to my car & sure enough THAT was the issue. Thanks Acura World saved me a bunch of money cause n e money out would mean money taken from something else that needs it.

SO: I deduced the problem could have started when I fixed the upper hose from before. I guess I didn't add enough fluid before. It was quite peculiar because the issue with the car, irradically idling, had never happened b4, and there wasn't n e signs of leaking. Mayb the fluid either burned off or there's leaking. Either way I bought some time to get these other issues worked on when I do have the time & money...

I just wanted to inform the community of the resolve...I love my car...Not only does it take me 2 play & work...It now saved me some money....

BTW Sam I haven't got the CEL code read yet, but I KNOW it has to do with the odometer. It ONLY comes on while driving, and while down-shifting where the engine/computer/cruise control regulator(not sure if this is true) cannot detect the reduced engine compression because it would monitor this thru the constant speed. I guess that because there isn't a guage to calculate the speed against -the car throws the CEL to fix the problem.

I'm not too concerned with it. I'm being given years to the life of this car, because it simply doesn't want to die. Greatful that I am I'll continually drive it till she gives me all she's got. This engine is a piece of art. I've changed the oil, reg aged parts and the car just keep going. I know if I had an automatic she would have died already. I also have NOT seen my year car on the road. Its almost scary how good the engine is.

[sam o nela]

No problem....glad it was as simple as low coolant....

You can read the code yourself from the ECU...

Turn the key to the II position, pull up the passenger's carpet under the dash (its only held on with velcro) and you will see a little window on the ECU with LEDs. Count how many times the red one blinks in between long pauses....

ECU Codes and what they mean...G1 & G2 - The Acura Legend & Acura RL Forum