Why is my car overheating ?
My 1986 Honda Accord is overheating building up pressure and spraying coolant into the engine bay. And it does not smoke it just overheats. My fans also don’t kick on. Any idea what all it could be?
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1986 Honda Accord Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Low-profile, fast, comfortable, a lot of car for not a lot of money — these are just some of the things that 1986 Honda Accord buyers are saying 20 years later.
This year ushered in the third generation of the bigger and better Honda Accords that had become extremely popular over the past 10 years.
New in this '86 Accord generation was the wheelbase and overall length, along with the car's weight. A redesign also took place, and made, according to some, a "sleeker" look that carried with it better aerodynamics, which helped make a quieter ride. In addition, the double wishbone suspension was added as well, to offer even more precise handling to accompany the quiet ride.
A much-talked about new feature was the pop-up headlights that many seemed to like.
The engines were made in the "bigger and better" style as well, increasing to 100 horsepower produced by 1.8 to 2.0 liter engines and the car became nicknamed the "poor man's BMW."
It's interesting to note as an aside that the popularity of the Honda Accords and Civics had now created the need for Honda of America Manufacturing to begin production on a second assembly line at its Ohio plant.
The Accord had become known as a dependable and economical car that could fit a family and a family's budget. Most adored it and very few had any complaints at all.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1986 Honda Accord
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by Anonymous
Feb 25, 2014
this car can take punishment. Im not nown for being easy on my cars and i havent been on this one ,and the responce i get from it is , give me more,.. Ive been in mud and cant belive i didnt get stuck . i've gone up on a mountain to text in deep snow .8 to 10 inches uncut snow and i went right to the top never came out of second and this wasnt no simlpe road, like i said im known for torchering my cars and this one jusy wants more and stays looking nice while at it i rate it a 10Feb 25, 2014
by Anonymous
Nov 21, 2012
I've got a Dx Hatchback, with 97xxx miles, yep, thats right. She has been reliable, well cared for, as long as you do the oil changes frequently. AND I can work on her with ease! and I'm a girl who knows nothing of cars! I have myself a Carsons repair manual and Ive been able to figure it out so far.
I highly recommend this car, for anyone wanting great gas mileage and dependability... if your willing to spend, like 30 minutes a week making sure all the fluids are good and nothings leaking... yet.
If you can, I would recommend never getting a carburated vehicle, always always go for fuel injected! not many mechanics I go to work on carburated cars!
and of course with older cars problems arise, but with age means more parts at junk yards for cheaper, cheaper parts in general, and everyone knows how to work on them... for the most part you can figure it out!Nov 21, 2012
by Sandy D
Nov 15, 2011
A 1986 Accord Aerodeck LX (euro) 2,0i 4cyl 120hk. Bought this car 3 years ago, 2011 marks this cars 25th year of service! Around 240,000km on the clock, the car has been really well cared for, immaculate paint, no rust!Nov 15, 2011
User rating:
by Anonymous
Feb 25, 2014
this car can take punishment. Im not nown for being easy on my cars and i havent been on this one ,and the responce i get from it is , give me more,.. Ive been in mud and cant belive i didnt get stuck . i've gone up on a mountain to text in deep snow .8 to 10 inches uncut snow and i went right to the top never came out of second and this wasnt no simlpe road, like i said im known for torchering my cars and this one jusy wants more and stays looking nice while at it i rate it a 10Feb 25, 2014
by Anonymous
Nov 21, 2012
I've got a Dx Hatchback, with 97xxx miles, yep, thats right. She has been reliable, well cared for, as long as you do the oil changes frequently. AND I can work on her with ease! and I'm a girl who knows nothing of cars! I have myself a Carsons repair manual and Ive been able to figure it out so far.
I highly recommend this car, for anyone wanting great gas mileage and dependability... if your willing to spend, like 30 minutes a week making sure all the fluids are good and nothings leaking... yet.
If you can, I would recommend never getting a carburated vehicle, always always go for fuel injected! not many mechanics I go to work on carburated cars!
and of course with older cars problems arise, but with age means more parts at junk yards for cheaper, cheaper parts in general, and everyone knows how to work on them... for the most part you can figure it out!Nov 21, 2012
by Sandy D
Nov 15, 2011
A 1986 Accord Aerodeck LX (euro) 2,0i 4cyl 120hk. Bought this car 3 years ago, 2011 marks this cars 25th year of service! Around 240,000km on the clock, the car has been really well cared for, immaculate paint, no rust!Nov 15, 2011
by Anonymous
Jun 30, 2011
I have carried canoes on it. Only selling because we need something that can carry a pedal harp. Built in Marysville, OH. Rebuilt 2 more times by Americans. Years of reliability and fun to drive. Someone needs to adopt it.Jun 30, 2011
by Danny M
May 01, 2010
its an awsome car and now that it has a sunroof i love it even more plus its a honda its going to last me forever and i can just put anything in my hatch hell i took a bandsaw once and fit right in the hatcMay 01, 2010
by Anonymous
Jan 18, 2010
Great car, superior Japanese reliabilty, awesome hatchback, fun to drive, zippy engine, and good gas mileage. Rolling on 13" wheels and there's a lot of rust due to northeast weather. Many of my parts will be purchased at a local salvage yard. It's old and what more can you ask from it. The car does not ask anything from me. It just goes where I want it to go. Thank you Honda Jan 18, 2010
by Anonymous
Nov 20, 2009
My 86' Accord has a touch over 70k miles and I couldnt ask for a better car. It may not be a BMW but I'll put money on it that it'll last longer! Need I mention that I can still pull 125+ MPH in a stock '86 Accord...Nov 20, 2009
by Farjeel S
Sep 16, 2009
scores good in all sections.. performance 9/10, brking 9/10 handling 10/10. built quality 8/10... interior 8/10... exterior 8/10.. milage good... fun to drive .. but high on maintenance.no squeakes or rattles.. stil after 16 yrsSep 16, 2009
by Kevin S
Aug 27, 2009
Its a rust bucket... Rear hatch was replaced by junkyard one, interior is frayed and cracked. It has no balls, whatsoever. It was only $700 bucks and it kinda shows it. The car is a trip to drive, but compared to other cars, it has no go.Aug 27, 2009
by Alamin A
Aug 24, 2009
my car has d following characteristics
excellent performance wit acceleration, breaking and
handling too.
good built quality no squeaks/rattles
some how good but not for flashy
its very economical when it comes to gas and
maintenance.
is gud 4 funAug 24, 2009
by Jesse G
Jun 30, 2009
good quality car. What can you really say about a honda? they last forever, have decent power in smaller engines and the mile per gallon is amazing. This car can do it all. if you ever need to be sold.. remember hondaJun 30, 2009
by Anonymous
Apr 04, 2009
well see i do like the honda its self but what i do not like is the fact that when tweakers get ahold of it then the car is almost imposible to fix back to normal with out droppin hella cash at it and when you just need a car that runs good for a commuter not caring what the car looks like then your screwed i bout a 86 honda accord of these dudes out in the boonies and the car was wonderful for a week then my CD player went out and since that everything that has to do with electrical besides my lights and gages has been retarted like my alternator went out I put a new one in but my battery light keeps coming on when ever the car is ran and the my fuel dicided to go out to for a couple days so now that happened i had to re conect some wire that aint even posed to be there according to the wiring diagram but aw well ok so i get that going and my carb starts acting Awire so im dont know what the hell is going on with this car but on a good note if i would have bout the car brand new i would probably love it Apr 04, 2009
by Anonymous
Dec 29, 2008
I have a 1986 accord hatchback. bought it for $924.00 Can on a car lot taxes and all. It needs a muffler.
I drive a car with 350,000km on it and it burns no oil. goes like a bat out of hell and sounds great doing it. I would buy another if I could find one but they are very rare here.
It's built like a tank and has handling that makes many newer cars look like a joke. it's stock. I won my last three races based on the little bit of power and the insane handling.
passengers rave about how ere it corners even on ice and how easy I can throw it around.
I can't say enough about it. the only stock car I ever liked better for handling is my Rx7, but the savings in gas with my accord s make it the better car hands down.Dec 29, 2008
by Brandon N
Jul 18, 2008
LIKES- 22 mpg in the city, 28 on the highway. good gas mileage, has the "FLIP" headlights, zippy acceleration, spacious interior, fog lights, sporty hatchback body style, very accurate power steering and brakes, engine is in great condition; for an old car, very dependable, runs like it could go another 100,000 miles
DISLIKES- has a dent on the right passenger door (I WAS IN MY FIRST ACCIDENT ONE DAY AFTER I BOUGHT MY FIRST CAR. SEEMS LIKE AN OMEN... RIGHT?). the trim above the back left wheel well is peeling off, a little bit of paint rush. sometimes when my car idles, it feels like it might stall out. all these things just come of age obviously... i would still recommend this car to any teens or adults. i personally like the sporty, 80's classic Hondas.
Price- $1,600
Jul 18, 2008
by Jordan A
Jun 19, 2008
It is a very good reliable car, it has about 230,000 miles on it and it still runs great. Obviously there are some things that need to be replace just because it is old, but other than that it is a really nice car. Jun 19, 2008
by Audrey W
Jun 06, 2008
this baby was under 8 inches of water last weekend (it is about 5 inches off the ground?) and the next day drove 400 miles and got 40mpg.
we love him. Jun 06, 2008
by Lasse L
Jun 04, 2008
Det var en EX'er.. med massere af sjot ellektrisk udstyr.Jun 04, 2008
by Gregory D
May 28, 2008
My first real investment in a car. Paid $3000 for it in 1995. Kept it until 1999 when I sold it and moved back to Barbados. Sold it to a friend who had it impounded. Damn shame.
Treated her better than i treated my g/f and she took care of me. Never left me stranded.
2 1/4 cat-back exhaust w/ Flowmaster muffler used to rattle windows and set off car alarms in Kings Plaza parking garage.May 28, 2008
by Glenn B
Apr 24, 2008
This car is a great car to get you from point A to point B. This car will move you physically, but wont stir anything emotionally. When you move your car, it should move you. If it doesnt there's something wrong. If you are looking for nothing more than reliable transportation, this car is it.Apr 24, 2008
by Anonymous
Apr 18, 2008
I got my car for super cheap. As with most older model Hondas, the exterior needs improvement but the engine and other major components have alot of life still. With a little work it will be very reliable!Apr 18, 2008
by Christopher B
Apr 02, 2008
Great car, get the manual trans because the automatic is too expensive to maintain.Apr 02, 2008
by Karen H
Jan 27, 2008
I would have kept this car except I moved from the city to the country and thought it would be wrecked on the back country roads.Jan 27, 2008
by Jason T
Jan 15, 2008
I had a 86 Accord for 1 1/2 - 2 years... Drove the hell out of it, broke even or lost 100 or 2 dollars driving this car... Free transportation is the best. This got over 30 mph on the highway, Pretty fast but poor handling, then again this car was older then a lot of drivers on the road. Jan 15, 2008
by Jussi M
Jan 10, 2008
This car was so comfortable! Loved the performance and the easyness of the car. The brakes weren't wery reliable.Jan 10, 2008
by Anonymous
Jan 04, 2008
My first car, took my drivers test in it, this car in this picture is exactly what it looked like. Silver Honda DX 5 speed Manual! YES I took my drivers license test in a manual! HAHA why not? Can't you drive? Anyhow great to drive, fun to drive for sure! 2.0 Liter sweet gasimizerJan 04, 2008
by Christian S
Dec 06, 2007
I really liked that car although I had to get it repaired every year. The color was metal light blue (not red as in picture) and model was EX.Dec 06, 2007
by Kelly F
Nov 11, 2007
One of my first cars. I enjoyed driving it, flip headlights are fun and along with the lower seating felt a little sporty....but not much :)Nov 11, 2007
What users have asked
Tire compare compatibility for my Honda
Will a 195 65 R15 91h tire fit my 86 Honda Accord DX 4 door The tire on it at the moment is a 1 8565 r14 86h
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Repair for compatibility
How far does a 86 Honda LX Accord how far does the interchangeable parts go
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Rpm hand jumps on idle, car accelerates slowly and jolts, when put in reverse is doesn't always move until I go forward in drive first
Just had my fuel pump and injector replaced and I was hoping it would take care of some of the problems. I'm not sure if there could be multiple causes for these problems? I'm planning on taking it in soon because my valves are leaking. Would this cause any of these symptoms?
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Have you driven a 1986 Honda Accord?Compare this car
1986 Honda Accord Pricing
Original MSRP
$9,587 to $14,196Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
Antenna Type: power · AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
Antenna Type: power · AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent