Temperature problems

[Zagato]

Hi,
As a brand new member of a NSXprime and also a new owner , I hope you guys can help me.

My car a 1991 Honda NSX suddenly climbs straigth to the red area on the gouge when idling. It has only happen three times. The fans work and it does not boil. If I stop it or drive it returns to normal. I am considering the thermostat or the water pump and think of replacing these first. Where do I get the best products on the net, and also have you guys experienced anything simular?

All the best,

Christer from Norway

 

[ftuhy]

Welcome to Prime and to NSX ownership.

Is your car stock? Stock overflow tank or aftermarket? Any add-on on equipment, super-charger, etc??

Item 1 - make sure there is no air in your cooling system & the coolant level is correct in the tank. Open one bleeder at a time, following the sequence in the manual. There is a soft copy of the manual available on line, so let us know if you have it.

When was the timing belt last changed? That's a fairly expensive job ($1500 - $2000 US at most dealers) and usually the water pump is changed at the same time.

Its rare, but possible that there's an oil leak getting some oil on the timing belt. That could cause the water pump to slip a bit. If that's the case, because the timing belt has teeth to drive the cams, timing won't slip. But, it would mean the problem needs to be fixed quickly before the belt deteriorates, fails, and causes major engine damage. Look for any oil dripping from the bottom of the timing belt cover (near the crankshaft pulley).

The usual thermostat failure due to the Honda design is to stick open. In any case, thermostats are easy to change and cost very little, so I'd do that as the next step.

As for parts, I'm not sure where you would get them in Norway. If you order from the US, there are some reliable sources such as Ray Laks Acura, etc.

 

[pgilliam1]

Don't drive your car. Overheating this engine will get you catastrophic results quickly. Known failures are; cracked overflow tank, thermostat, air in the cooling system. Only use Honda coolant when refilling the system. you're playing with fire here so be careful. Parts can be found here on the parts for sale forum, from various aftermarket distributors, eBay and some select dealers have fair prices. Check the vendor forum here for parts distributors.
Good Luck!

 

[EdinKali]

Hi,
As a brand new member of a NSXprime and also a new owner , I hope you guys can help me.

My car a 1991 Honda NSX suddenly climbs straigth to the red area on the gouge when idling. It has only happen three times. The fans work and it does not boil. If I stop it or drive it returns to normal. I am considering the thermostat or the water pump and think of replacing these first. Where do I get the best products on the net, and also have you guys experienced anything simular?

All the best,

Christer from Norway

When you say the fans work are you referring to the AC fans or the radiator fan? Make sure the radiator fan is actually turning. The AC fans only cool the AC cores.

 

[Zagato]

Welcome to Prime and to NSX ownership.

Is your car stock? Stock overflow tank or aftermarket? Any add-on on equipment, super-charger, etc??

Item 1 - make sure there is no air in your cooling system & the coolant level is correct in the tank. Open one bleeder at a time, following the sequence in the manual. There is a soft copy of the manual available on line, so let us know if you have it.

When was the timing belt last changed? That's a fairly expensive job ($1500 - $2000 US at most dealers) and usually the water pump is changed at the same time.

Its rare, but possible that there's an oil leak getting some oil on the timing belt. That could cause the water pump to slip a bit. If that's the case, because the timing belt has teeth to drive the cams, timing won't slip. But, it would mean the problem needs to be fixed quickly before the belt deteriorates, fails, and causes major engine damage. Look for any oil dripping from the bottom of the timing belt cover (near the crankshaft pulley).

The usual thermostat failure due to the Honda design is to stick open. In any case, thermostats are easy to change and cost very little, so I'd do that as the next step.

As for parts, I'm not sure where you would get them in Norway. If you order from the US, there are some reliable sources such as Ray Laks Acura, etc.

Thanks all for tips!!! Great stuff! Car is stock but I hope for not too long...I am going to give the car a proper service before I use it hard again. Just for the record, it has not boiled just got hot and turned off immediately. I know boiling is no good but as is this has not ruined any engine. Also the cooling fans work. I know the diffenense between aircon and cooling fans!-)

But as I am not totally novice when it comes to cars (after owning 100 Alfa Romeos, you get better if you want or not), I have a couple of questions for you.

1. I need a manual on line please help!-) I am thinking of air in the system as you said. I think this all came about after changing cam belt and now it all makes sense. If there are any links to the bleeding prosses I would love to get it.

2. Why only Honda coolant? I mean any quality coolant from Castrol/AGIP/mobil would do the trix... if not why?

3. Oil leak on timing belt? The engine is absolutely dry, no leaks anywhere. Only a damp patch around the filler.

4. Could a loose plus cable give false reading in instruments, I found out that the plus cable was loose today.

5. I do use my cars hard (trackdays Autobahn), so tips about sensible upgrades are appreciated
for instance: a little more power, just get rid of the tailoff between 1 and 2 gear.

Then my discs are worn. What is the right upgrade discs/pads for street and trackdays? I do not need ceramic brakes.

Does a sports clutch also give a lot of added driving pleasure?

Also I am thinking of building a exhaust with flowmaster parts (as for now it sounds like a sewing machine !-) I think some of the sports exhaust are simply too loud.

Hope the newbee does not bother you with questions being answered again and again!

Greetings from Norway!

 

[ftuhy]

http://www.nsxprime.com/wiki/Service_manuals
Scroll down about a page in that thread and you'll find links in the "Electronic Copies of the Service Manual" section.

As to coolant type, that can become a religious issue. A key item is avoid anything with silicates, which can cake up and cause seals to leak. Prestone had a problem with that about a decade ago, and has avoided it since then. Just make sure the coolant has corrosion inhibitors for aluminum.
As an example, MB recommends Xerex (now owned by Valvoline) when MB coolant is not available.

It is possible that either your temperature gage or the temperature sender is faulty. The manual specifies resistance vs temp for the sender, so that can be checked easily with an ohmmeter

 

[Zagato]

Thanks Frank,
Just what the doctor ordered!

Cheers,


Christer

 

[Meeyatch1]

Mileage on the car?

 

[99 rs]

Hopefully it is air in the system. I did have a different Honda that did the same temperature spike that you described. The conditions being going into the red while idling and then cooling down at speeds. It was the head gasket.