I have a 2007 Honda Element that is overheating at slow speed
Asked by gpease3 Mar 16, 2017 at 02:01 PM about the 2007 Honda Element EX AWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
My 2007 element overheats at slow speed unless I run the air conditioner. I
have replaced the thermostat twice, the radiator, and the water pump. The
mechanic I am working with has found that the engine temperature sensor
reads 240 when the radiator sensor reads 199 and kicks on the fans. We
have checked compression, leak down pressure test, timing, to no avail. Any
ideas from anyone would be appreciated. We are a bit stumped. Honda
dealer could not find it either, said it was a bad engine and needs to be
replaced.
7 Answers
To be honest, you're asking us to second-guess a mechanic and a dealership that have had the ability to inspect and test the engine, whereas all we have to go on is a brief description of the problem - so realistically there is not much we can suggest for you to do, other than try another mechanic if the first one is stumped. How did the dealer come to the conclusion its a bad engine? What tests did they run? Is this a high-mileage motor?
140,000 and I am asking in hopes someone ran into a similar problem. Not asking for a diagnostics here. Just thought someone may have run into something similar. The dealer ran the above mentioned test, all normal, said they based their diagnostics on the spark plug looking like it had been burning anti-freeze and oil both. The mechanic I am working with, that is very capable says the spark plugs look normal. I was just hoping some other mechanic may have seen a similar situation where the two temp probes were so far off each other in readings. I would think the readings should be at least within 10 or 20 degrees if the coolant is circulating properly. I was also hoping maybe someone knew of a way to check the coolant circulation in these engines.
Is it overheating AFTER the fans turn on? I assume all air was bled from system?
It is overheating before the fans turn on. If I turn in the air conditioner then both fans turn in immediately and it doesn't overheat.
Sorry turn in should be turn on
Ok, the fans will automatically turn on when the AC is on, BUT the fans should also turn on when the engine coolant temp sensor reaches a certain temp reading, and if I read your response correctly, they are NOT turning on when they should. If it's not a coolant temp sensor fault, then it is an engine computer fault, which ultimately governs the fans turning on or not.
If you haven't solved your problem give us a call at 305 259 5900 ask for Nestor. give us a little more information on the situation. If your motor is "bad" then it should overheat at all times not just without the fan running or at slow speed. Above 35 mph an engine doesn't need the electric fan, there is enough airflow coming through the radiator to keep it cooled down.
