Hello, I haven’t been on here in a long time but I’m having a couple of problems with my S2K that I would like to get diagnosed.

The first problem, and the most worrisome one, is my car has been overheating. Coolant level is fine, and coolant was flushed and replaced less than 10,000 miles ago. Oil level is good. Oil should be good since I had an oil change recently (Mobil1 & OEM filter). I might get another oil change soon to try out Amsoil. So here’s what is happening! I (cold) start my car, drive in stop and go traffic all day and I have no problems. However, if I start the car and jump onto a highway shortly after, the engine temperature will hit the redline within five minutes of cruising. After five to ten minutes of bouncing between red line, and one bar down, the engine will settle down to normal temperatures (3 or 4 bars?) and be fine. The same thing will happen when driving uphill. I do not drive my car hard, maybe hit VTEC twice a month. I’ve pressurized the coolant system to look for leaks and nothing. My friend said it might be the water pump, does that sound right? What else should I check?

Second problem, my brakes are incredibly squeaky and loud. Like… really. It physically hurts my ears if I try to park in a parking garage. In January I was running on OEM pads and rotors, but they were squeaking loud (not as bad as now). I figured since I haven’t replaced my pads and rotors since I bought the car that they would need replacing. In February I Bought new pads and rotors (Centric Blanks and Hawk HP+). I know the HP+ squeaks more than OEM, but I don’t think it’s supposed to be this bad. Also, the braking feels MUCH worse than before. It feels like there is no grip under hard braking. Brake fluid was changed less than 10,000 miles ago, actually all fluids were. Mechanic said my OEM rotor/pads still had plenty of life left when he changed them. He even gave me my OEM rotors to take home in case I want to resurface them later on. So… Could the problem be the calipers? How could I tell if the calipers are bad? I will probably changed my pads and rotors back to OEM by the end of the year, but I want to figure this problem out first.

I also have rattling going on, but I know I need to sand blast my TCT.

I DD my car so I just want to make sure I have everything I need so I can drop it off for one day and be done.
Thanks for any advice you can give me!
Edit: Forgot to mention my car is completely stock.

 

1st problem. replace your waterpump and thermostat.

As far as your brakes, are we talking about the front? lift up the car and spin the wheels by hand. they should spin pretty freely. if not you probably have a locked up caliper. Remove the caliper and lightly clamp the brake hose(not too tight. just enough to not let fluid pass through). open up the bleeder screw and push the piston in. it should go in pretty easily with the bleeder screw open. if it goes in easily, the brake line may be the problem.
you may have to replace the rotors again. how do the old rotors look? the surface should be consistent. if you see any miscoloring/bluish spots they're overheated. your mechanic should know all of this.