Acura EL overheating / heat issues
 

I have a 2004 acura el, and recently the car started to overheat.

I already changed the timing belt, water pump, thermostat, and radiator cap.


The problem is when I'm going out in the morning, I would get no heat in the car, but when im on the highway , heat would come full on. When I exit the highway and get onto a red light, the heat would cut out. Also when im at a red light too long or stuck in traffic, the needle would start to creep up.


Any advice or shop that I can bring to?

How's coolant level?
Does the radiator fan work?

Could be head gasket. That generation Civic/EL has head gasket issues. When I worked at a Honda dealership, we'd see one a week.

I'm also assuming the system has been bled properly after the water pump was replaced.

The inconsistent heat sounds like air pockets in the cooling system.
Could be from a head gasket failure or a leak.

I would check the oil for any signs of mayonnaise or smell the coolant for exhaust gasses; both are signs of head gasket failure.
Also, an over filled coolant expansion tank is another sign of gasket failure.

Its most likely head gasket from the symptoms

my friends 1.7 el have the same problem, was it your head gasket?