My 91 NSX had had the problem of running hot since not too long after I bought it. I just had the dealer do the belts and water pump and it seems like when I sit in traffic the needle still shoots up. I'm putting antifreeze in this thing regularly, seems like it eats it,because there is no leak. Is this a regular problem with these cars? Can I remove the thermostat or something? Any suggestions would help.
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Help, 91 NSX Runs hot.
- Thread starter BADD-NSX
- Start date
is your radiator fan working?
Sounds like you have Pin holes in the Rad, or a bad head gasket. I hope it is the Rad.
Bram
Bram
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sounds like the head gasket but i hope that's not the case
I vote for a head gasket.
How much is this going to run him to fix $$? Or is the engine toast? BTW, how many miles does the car have?
If it winds up being a head gasket, be very smart and have both changed. GL.
I agree. Running hot and disappearing coolant is almost certainly a head gasket.
The top end will need to be opened up and it's a shame you just had the 90K services done as some of the 90K serive labor would overlap as part of the HG replacement.
Now is a good time to consider upgrading to the 3.2L valves and springs and race cams/cam gears if you plan on staying NA. I also recommend an upgraded head gasket.
I would park the car and not drive it until this issue is addressed. Coolant is mixing with oil and vice versa right now.
No coolant oil mix. That's the first thing I looked for. I would have thought the Dealer would have said something if it was my head gasket because I asked them about it and also another shop and the only feedback I got was that there was a possible leak somewhere, maybe near the reservoir. The car has 82k miles on it.
How much coolant are you losing in relation to engine run time?
It is quite possible to have a high pressure leak that is "peeing" on the ground as you drive.
Pull all the plugs and look for a clean one or two. May be difficult to tell with new plugs though.
You obviously over estimate the abilities and knowledge of the Dealer.
The exact diagnosis you are asking to make requires a significant investment in time....it won't come for free unless it is obvious.
Yep, and the head gaskets are very near the overflow tank too.
If the tank is not overflowing then you need to pressurize your system for several hours and look for leaks (especially inside the cylinders).
If the engine keeps overheating you will warp it and cause other seals to leak. If it is the head gasket, you will have to check the heads and deck for warping. From your description: this situation may have already occurred.
You are setting yourself up for a very long and expensive headache if you keep driving it.
It is quite possible to have a high pressure leak that is "peeing" on the ground as you drive.
Pull all the plugs and look for a clean one or two. May be difficult to tell with new plugs though.
You obviously over estimate the abilities and knowledge of the Dealer.
The exact diagnosis you are asking to make requires a significant investment in time....it won't come for free unless it is obvious.
Yep, and the head gaskets are very near the overflow tank too.
If the tank is not overflowing then you need to pressurize your system for several hours and look for leaks (especially inside the cylinders).
If the engine keeps overheating you will warp it and cause other seals to leak. If it is the head gasket, you will have to check the heads and deck for warping. From your description: this situation may have already occurred.
You are setting yourself up for a very long and expensive headache if you keep driving it.
This car has been a long and expensive headache since I've owned it. I wish I kept my S2000 at this point, never had one problem with it. These cars seem to be an electrical nightmare among other things. I don't drive the car much as it is, I'm already about $3000 into repairs since I've owned it. Is there an NSX specialist on this forum I can take this damn car to? I also have an issue with the AntiLock and TCS lights coming on and when the Antilock light is on, my climate control won't work and when the TCS light is on, Bye Bye traction control.
sorry to hear. i sold my S2k for an NSX as well. Keep in mind it is a 14 year old car.
Hope it all works out for ya
Hope it all works out for ya
All great advice.
Indeed, this problem is not one that would have necessarily been spotted by even a skilled tech during your 90K service. It's not something one would normally discover unless looking for it.
Do yourself a favor and don't continue to drive the car. Head/deck warpage, coolant in the oil (even though you can't see it it may be there), the engine being subjected to higher than normal temps...
As far as your other issues, I'm not sure what to tell you. The NSX has no real recurring electrical issues other than the climate control which can easily be fixed by member BrianK.
I'm not sure why your ABS and TCS lights are coming on but they are unrelated to be sure...
The ABS light should never come on unless there's a serious issue with the ABS system. You say when the TCS light is on there's no TC? That's normal--the TC can be turned off manually and the light stays on when the TCS is off. If the light is coming on by itself that can be something as simple as a $125 speed sensor.
I'm sorry you've had to put so much money into your NSX. I hope you got a good deal on it since you indicated you did the 90K service. I think you'll find once you get these issues fixed and all the services caught up it will provide you with lots of uninterrupted driving pleasure and prove to be an amazingly reliable car for it's age.
All great advice.
Indeed, this problem is not one that would have necessarily been spotted by even a skilled tech during your 90K service. It's not something one would normally discover unless looking for it.
Do yourself a favor and don't continue to drive the car. Head/deck warpage, coolant in the oil (even though you can't see it it may be there), the engine being subjected to higher than normal temps...
As far as your other issues, I'm not sure what to tell you. The NSX has no real recurring electrical issues other than the climate control which can easily be fixed by member BrianK.
I'm not sure why your ABS and TCS lights are coming on but they are unrelated to be sure...
The ABS light should never come on unless there's a serious issue with the ABS system. You say when the TCS light is on there's no TC? That's normal--the TC can be turned off manually and the light stays on when the TCS is off. If the light is coming on by itself that can be something as simple as a $125 speed sensor.
I'm sorry you've had to put so much money into your NSX. I hope you got a good deal on it since you indicated you did the 90K service. I think you'll find once you get these issues fixed and all the services caught up it will provide you with lots of uninterrupted driving pleasure and prove to be an amazingly reliable car for it's age.
Fixed the running hot issue. Come to find out my thermostat was not opening, probably never changed. As soon as I changed it the car runs normal temps and the fan comes on as it is supposed to. Now just need to solve the ABS/TCS issue. I don't think my CCU is broken because it ALWAYS works until the ABS light comes on.
The thermostat could absolutely have been the issue regarding your high temps but the coolant disappearing still worries me. My tech also thought my problem was thermostat related and it was a head gasket which he did not catch.
As long as your tech knows what he's doing and he's 100% sure you don't have a blown head you should be OK.
:frown: That sucks man. I have this problem with one of my cars (old cars..) and experienced these symptons, and although I keep being hopeful, all signs point to the headgasket.
It takes a long time for you to see the effects in the oil.
Spark Plugs may have some green on them and show some wear and tear but it's not untill it gets really bad that you'll see nice oil in your coolant.
If you want to be sure, one way you can do it is:
*Drain the coolant, put in brand new coolant
*Take out the thermostat and drive the car without it.
If it's the headgasket, you'll find that the coolant level decreases and/or you it will start overheating once the water portion of the coolant is boild and/or leaking into the combustion chamber. It could take a few days, it could take a week. The sooner it happens, the worse it is. THe other thing you can do is turn the car on, have someone press the gas, stay behind the exhaust and the more water you see/feel coming out, the bigger the problem is.
WHEN it happens again, STOP the car RIGHT THEN AND THERE; I don't care where you are unless you're absolutely going to cause an accidnet, stop the car. I usually put it back in the first position since the fan and the coolant (I think..) will still be flowing. Turn your heat to max to get some of the heat out of the engine as well.
As for the car, it sounds like you got a bad car, buddy I bought my car with problems (not the NSX) with "problems" and have spent nothing but money on it... I keep thinking "what if I do this and it works rock solid.." my wife says I just need to let it give up the ghost
PM me for some other personal thoughts from my experience...
PS: Don't try the Schucks garbage, trust me....
It takes a long time for you to see the effects in the oil.
Spark Plugs may have some green on them and show some wear and tear but it's not untill it gets really bad that you'll see nice oil in your coolant.
If you want to be sure, one way you can do it is:
*Drain the coolant, put in brand new coolant
*Take out the thermostat and drive the car without it.
If it's the headgasket, you'll find that the coolant level decreases and/or you it will start overheating once the water portion of the coolant is boild and/or leaking into the combustion chamber. It could take a few days, it could take a week. The sooner it happens, the worse it is. THe other thing you can do is turn the car on, have someone press the gas, stay behind the exhaust and the more water you see/feel coming out, the bigger the problem is.
WHEN it happens again, STOP the car RIGHT THEN AND THERE; I don't care where you are unless you're absolutely going to cause an accidnet, stop the car. I usually put it back in the first position since the fan and the coolant (I think..) will still be flowing. Turn your heat to max to get some of the heat out of the engine as well.
As for the car, it sounds like you got a bad car, buddy
I bought my car with problems (not the NSX) with "problems" and have spent nothing but money on it... I keep thinking "what if I do this and it works rock solid.." my wife says I just need to let it give up the ghost PM me for some other personal thoughts from my experience...
PS: Don't try the Schucks garbage, trust me....
