Strange engine temp problem

I have a strange problem with my 95 accord. I drove it yesterday, about 60 miles. at the last stretch, about 1 minute from my house, the temp gauge started going hot, FAST at a red light. I started driving it again, and it started going lower, but wouldnt lower enough for my liking. Next light, I turned on the heat, and it got HIGHER. kept going up so I pulled off near my house and left it.

Went back about 3 hours later (20 degrees out, plenty of time to cool) and drove the 1/2 mile to my house. by the time I got there, it was already warm (heat was warm too, not just a faulty gauge) but it didnt start overheating...

I parked it and dont want to drive it until I get some advice. any ideas? Im going to replace the thermostat this weekend but anything else I should check? its always had a slow coolant leak from somewhere but keeping it topped off has kept it working well for quite some time.

i was planning a timing belt change this weekend or very soon so I will be getting the water pump changed..but what I really want to know is, what happened? can I drive it to the shop?

Thanks for any help.

Mike

I don't know if this fits, but ..... Some years ago I had exactly the same symptoms. It turned out that the the problem was that I had not bled the cooling system after replacing a hose. The motor was actually NOT overheating - the temp sensor just thought it was. The shop that repaired it (away from home at the time - taxis there and back - expensive - ugh!) also replaced the thermostat which may or may not have been a problem. ANyway, it was fine afterwards.

well i did find out one small tidbit, after cooling down and checking it out (pun intended!)

the radiator was bone dry. now I have a leak on my hands, just dont know where. must be a slow leak because its been a few months since i added any. the strange thing is, the reservoir was full...wonder why it didnt pull any in...hmm

Leak? Most probably the rad header. Common problem.
Why didn't the reservoir suck back in? Maybe the hose is kinked/blocked?

rad header...whats that? im assuming its a part of the radiator, and the whole things needs to be replaced, is that right?

kink in hose..ill have to check it...its strange is all...

Yes - that rad is in one piece. It's just that the header is plastic, and cracks eventually. The best thing is to (after filling it up) take it to a radiator repair shop & have them pressure test it. That'll find the leak right away. Then you can decide whether you want to fix it yourself or have them do it.

do you think that radiator stop leak crap works? I dont put much faith in products like those...but this car, well to be honest, I dont want to put any money into it. its just a beater for me.

Radiator stop leak should not be used if you plan on keeping the car. New after market radiators are not too expensive depending on your year. It costs more in labor then the part. The reason it didn;t suck fluid from the overflow/reserve bottle is that there is a leak in the system and it is easier to suck air then liquid.

If you can SEE the crack, you might try some epoxy putty to get a bit more life out of the rad. But that "top tank," as they call it, has a pretty finite life.

Coincidentally, I discovered just this wekend that MY radiator was cracked. Got it fixed yesterday (they replaced the "top tank," hoses and thermostat) - cost me $300.

The reason it didn;t suck fluid from the overflow/reserve bottle is that there is a leak in the system and it is easier to suck air then liquid.
you're right, of course, mpumas - I didn't think of that.