97 crv cold starting problems

[andrew_alfonso]

Hi everyone,

My 97 CR-V (123K mi) has some problems that I need advice on....

1) When I start it in the morning, particularly in the cold mornings here lately in Chicago, the engine turns with no problem, but the starter seems to stick and stay engaged, although I'm not sure if it's coming from there. It's like I hear a LOUD grinding noise, then after a few seconds, it's gone (seem like the starter finally disengaged). This never happens when the car has been driven for a while or when the engine is hot, it only happens when it's cold like in the morning or when it sits in the parking lot for the whole day I'm ready to get out from work and hit home. Does anyone think it's a starter problem or something else? Why does it happen only in cold weather or when it sits for a long time?

2) Also, during cold mornings/when it sits for a long time, I hear a whining noise that goes away after the engine has warmed up. I am suspecting a water pump problem, but then again, why only during cold start-ups or when it sits for the whole day? Also, when I changed my timing belts/tensioner bearings on my 95K service, I also replaced the water pump as well. Could it be the tensioner bearing pulley that drives the A/C belt? But then once again, why only during cold startups? After some driving time the noise is gone.

3) Lastly, I had been noticing that my temperature gauge has been rising lately, up to 3/4 hot. I know it's usually stays put to 1/2 or below, but never 3/4. Would flushing the coolant system help and/or replacing the thermostat help? Or I am just wasting money unnecessarily? I always drive my CRV on highways and lately it stays put to 3/4 then sinks momentarily to 1/2 then rises again to 3/4 hot. Can this be connected to a failing water pump prematurely? Man, I just traded my arm and leg paying in servicing all of these! I had my crv serviced in my local mechanic back in Los Angeles and I can't somply drive back there coz I'm living here in Chicago!

Need all of your advice. Thank you for your patience!

[terbennett]

Originally Posted by andrew_alfonso

Hi everyone,

My 97 CR-V (123K mi) has some problems that I need advice on....

1) When I start it in the morning, particularly in the cold mornings here lately in Chicago, the engine turns with no problem, but the starter seems to stick and stay engaged, although I'm not sure if it's coming from there. It's like I hear a LOUD grinding noise, then after a few seconds, it's gone (seem like the starter finally disengaged). This never happens when the car has been driven for a while or when the engine is hot, it only happens when it's cold like in the morning or when it sits in the parking lot for the whole day I'm ready to get out from work and hit home. Does anyone think it's a starter problem or something else? Why does it happen only in cold weather or when it sits for a long time?

2) Also, during cold mornings/when it sits for a long time, I hear a whining noise that goes away after the engine has warmed up. I am suspecting a water pump problem, but then again, why only during cold start-ups or when it sits for the whole day? Also, when I changed my timing belts/tensioner bearings on my 95K service, I also replaced the water pump as well. Could it be the tensioner bearing pulley that drives the A/C belt? But then once again, why only during cold startups? After some driving time the noise is gone.

3) Lastly, I had been noticing that my temperature gauge has been rising lately, up to 3/4 hot. I know it's usually stays put to 1/2 or below, but never 3/4. Would flushing the coolant system help and/or replacing the thermostat help? Or I am just wasting money unnecessarily? I always drive my CRV on highways and lately it stays put to 3/4 then sinks momentarily to 1/2 then rises again to 3/4 hot. Can this be connected to a failing water pump prematurely? Man, I just traded my arm and leg paying in servicing all of these! I had my crv serviced in my local mechanic back in Los Angeles and I can't somply drive back there coz I'm living here in Chicago!

Need all of your advice. Thank you for your patience!

My 1998 CR-V is having the same problems. I also noticed it after I had the valves adjusted, the timing belt and water pump changed, and the coolant replaced. Has anyone been able to answer your questions?

[jgr7]

One thing to check when you are geting higher engine temps on the highway is the belt that drives the water pump. Sometimes the belt will slip under high speed heavy load causing the water pump not to move the volume of water it take to keep the engine cool. Another thing is the radiator could have some blockage and same thing at highway speeds it is not flowing enough water to keep engine as cool. These things should be checked.
I'm not sure if you would throw a check engine light if the timming was off enough to cause the heat up at highway speeds but it might be worth checking also.
Jeff

[andrew_alfonso]

Thanks jgr7 for your advice!
I ended up changing the thermostat and afterwards the temp went steady at the middle, whatever driving conditions it be. I will also look into that problem of belt slippage because whenever I start the car I have this quick shriek noise that I know it's coming from the belt. Although I don't know what belt could be loose, I'll just check them all.
I also ended up replacing a new starter from my starter problems. did not have any new prob ever since. One thing is for sure is that for a 97 CRV with 126K on it I am quite disappointed that this is starting to become a money pit and I might end up selling it soon.

[terbennett]

My '98 CR-V has 188K miles on it and I've had the entire cooling system replaced along with the timing belt and water pump, the valves adjusted, and the other normal maintenance stuff and it still rises. I haven't changed my accessories belts. Could that be the culprit? I was told that it could also be a relay- only I don't know which relay would need to be replaced. The temperature gauge problem as an intermittent thing. I also noticed that it will rise when I turn my lights on at night as well. When it decides that it wants to rise, most of the time it will bounce a little when I have my turn signal on and I'm sitting at a light. With the headlights, sometimes it will rise when I turn the headlights on, and go back down to normal when I turn them off. My CR-V has been a great truck and I don't want to get rid of it, but I'd like to know why my temperature gauge is acting in this manner. Alternator belt perhaps? I've spent a lot already and I'm going to spend a lot more. Any advice is greatly appreciated.