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I purchased a 1988 Honda Prelude withpower steering a few months ago and recently when i drive the car it's started to run hotter than normal. The temp gauge needle satys in the middle of the gauge and if I run the heater, the engine cools a bit. What I need to know is what kind of thermostat do I need to replace and how hard would it be to replace it. The belts have been checked and are fine.
Any help would be most appreciated. Thank you
I had this same problem with my '88 honda accord. Unfortunately, no fix seemed to work. I should hope that's not what happens to you, but if it is and you live in a cooler climate(I'm in Texas, this way of dealing with it was not fun for me), your running the heater will keep that little car going, for quite a while in comparison to american made engines. Especially from that time period since they were building them with aluminum which is easily damaged by heat. Do everything the man above me says, but if that doesn't work, don't fret. Hondas are hardy little cars and can take alot of abuse. I could keep mine at a near constat 220 degrees just by running the heater and avoiding driving it in heavy traffic.
Hi, are you sure u need a new thermostat? Running in the mid temp range is ok. If u think u need to change it, here's the info. I believe your Prelude uses a 195 degree thermostat, but go to a good parts store and give them the year make, and model and ask them what thermo. u need. Also get a gasket. The thermostat is located at the end of the radiator hose (the top hose). Disconnect the house at the 'housing' and remove the housing (2 bolts), the thermostat is now exposed. Pop it out (u might need to persuade it w/ a screwdriver (gently pry it out) and remove the gasket, clean gasket surface. Install gasket and thermostat, being careful that they stay in position when u bolt the housing back in place. Re-attach radiator hose, top off coolant, (50/50 Mix), and last, there is a bleeder valve which I believe is on the housing that u loosen after starting the car, when air stops coming out, tighten and u r good to go. Do u have any idea when the coolant was last changed? U might want to consider it if it's been a long time, or u r not sure. Let me know how u make out, or if u have any questions. Good luck! countrycurt0
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I had exactly same thing on my boat recently...which has a car motor in it. And I also charged the battery and I also had a reading that said I had charge. HOwever, I tried another battery from a car and it suddenly worked. Don't know why, but it really was the battery. When I put the old one back in, it still wouldn't start. With a new battery it's fine. Ya just never know why sometimes!! Good luck!
Sounds like you are having a thermostat problem. It sounds like it is sticking at times and you may also have a bad temp. sensor. At times, if the thermostat sticks in the closed position, the sensor in the outlet side of the t-stat housing will not read the proper engine temp..Next time it gives you problems, lift the hood and carefully check the temp. of both of the water hoses to the radiator. If the top hose feels hot and the lower hose is only warm, then the t-stat. is stuck in the closed position and needs to be replaced.
There are a few temperature sending sensors on the head and depending on the outside temp or driving temp it might not turn on when the car is off. If you have replaced your coolant recently it might be keeping the engine cool to the point of not needing to come on with car the off.
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