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If your engine overheats – Acura 2000 RL - Owner's Manual User Manual

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If Your Engine Overheats

4. If the temperature gauge stays at

the red mark, turn off the engine.

5. Wait until you see no more signs

of steam or spray, then open the
hood.

6. Look for any obvious coolant leaks,

such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you find a leak, it

must be repaired before you
continue driving (see

Emergency

Towing on page

292

).

7. If you don't find an obvious leak,

check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page

170

). If the level is below the

M I N mark, add coolant to halfway
between the M I N and MAX marks.

8. If there was no coolant in the

reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer

reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, before check-
ing the radiator.

9. Using gloves or a large heavy

cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on

the cap and turn it until it comes
off.

10. Start the engine and set the

temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90° F/32° C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the filler neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
refilled with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.

11. Put the radiator cap back on

tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See

Emergency

Towing on page

292

.)

12. If the temperature stays normal,

check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

Removing the radiator cap

while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.

Always let the engine and

radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

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