How to Troubleshoot the Cooling System in a Honda Accord

If your Honda Accord starts to overheat, then you may have a problem with your engine cooling system. Before taking your car to the service station, try to troubleshoot the problem yourself. You can test your engine for overheating and look for leaks. You can also check your coolant levels.

Instructions

Check for Overloading or Leaks

1

Park your can in a safe and level location. If you have a manual transmission, put your car in "Neutral." If you have an automatic, transmission put the car into "Park." Apply the parking break.

2

Look for steam or smoke coming from under the hood. If you see steam or smoke, turn off the engine and wait until the steam and smoke stops, before turning the engine on again. If you don't see steam or smoke, keep the engine running.

3

Locate your temperature gauge and watch it to see if the engine starts to cool. Your engine should cool if the overheating is due to overloading. If then engine cools to the midpoint of the gauge, it is safe to drive the car again.

4

Turn the engine off if the temperature gauge stays in the red area, indicating overheating.

5

Examine the engine for coolant leaks. Look for a split in the radiator hose. If you find coolant leaks, take your car in for service. Move onto checking the coolant level if you don't find leaks.

Examine the Coolant Level

6

Check the coolant levels in the radiator reserve tank. Add coolant if your coolant level is below the "min" mark.

7

Add coolant to the radiator if the radiator reserve tank is completely empty. To do this, allow the engine to cool, then use gloves and turn the radiator cap in a counterclockwise direction, without pushing down.

8

Stop turning the cap when you start to hear hissing. After the hissing stops and the pressure has released, push down and continue turning the cap.

9

Remove the cap completely and start your car's engine. Set the car's temperature to maximum heat.

10

Pour coolant into the radiator until the coolant reaches the base of the filler neck. Put the radiator cap back on and start the engine.

11

Allow the car to run for a few minutes. Watch the temperature gauge. Once the gauge starts to indicate cooling, check the radiator reserve tank one more time. If the coolant level is low, add coolant to the "max" mark.