97 accord overheating

[highteknology]

lately i have been experiencing some problems with the cooling system in my 97 accord. I have to pour coolant into the radiator probably every 3 weeks and refill the reservoir every 2 days. I recently looked under the hood once i got home and noticed that there was coolant sitting on top of the radiator area and the fan shroud area. My car was at running temp and there was liquid bubbling out of the top seal of the radiator. This leads me to believe that i new radiator. Thoughts on this?

When i turn the car off the fan keeps running to cool the engine off. This isn't supposed to happen every time right? Once i put more coolant in the car then the fan doesn't come on once i turn the car off.
I recently replaced the thermostat because it kept overheating, even with enough coolant in there. That solved problems until i realized i think i have a leak (seeing how I have to keep refilling with coolant). Do you think this is the case, that I should replace the radiator?



my second question is when i use my a/c there seems to be a "clunking" noise sometimes, especially when i turn the car off. Almost as if a fan blade was hitting something. It starts out fast and the slows down and usually stops within 30-45 seconds. I have been told i need to replace the a/c condenser but i have also been told it may have to do with the fan. Suggestions/ideas/thoughts about this??

thanks for all the help with this. I'm fairly decent at fixing cars, i.e. changing brakes, i've done a few radiators, i just don't have a lot experience diagnosing the problem. hopefully you can all help me out

[jeffcoslacker]

Some A/C systems will make noises as the pressures on the high and low side equalize after shut off...but you could be hearing vapor hammer in the engine coolant passages too if it's running hot or has a large volume of air in it...running with A/C on is gonna make the cooling system retain more heat, so it's possible. Makes sure both fans are running while the A/C is on, if the secondary is not working, it'll really heat up the rad with A/C operation...

It's pretty common for Accords to split a seam or tank on top of the radiator...particularly if they've had any front end body damage or offroad underside jang...the subframe crossmember below the radiator deforms pretty easily, and puts the radiator mounts in a bind, eventually breaking the radiator from stress...pay attention when you loosen the radiator mounts to see if springs or spreads out slightly...make sure you make allowances when reinstalling or it'll wreck the new one pretty quickly too.

I had a kind of similar problem with the wife's Accord, long story but it split the upper tank, was losing about the same amount you describe, but then began to really overheat bad at some point...I hadn't seen a car that would overheat so explosively from a minor coolant/pressure loss before, so I almost had myself convinced it was a bad head gasket...like you, I'd also changed the T-stat early on, so I knew that wasn't the problem.

But after a radiator replacement, all is well again...

[highteknology]

word, looks like i know what i'm doing tomorrow then thanks for the help man

[jgr7]

I would also put a new radiator cap while your at it.

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by jgr7

I would also put a new radiator cap while your at it.

Good point, the new rad should come with one though.