1998 honda civic ex overheating

Ok last night Im driving for like only 20 minutes and I made 3 stops so i wasnt even driving 20 minutes straight but I get home and my temp gauge is almost to the red so I check the coolant level and the radiator was full but the overflow was dry so this morning I added some coolant and let it idle for like 10 minutes and then took it for a test drive and sure enough after about 10 minutes maybe less it starts to rise

So my question is since i added fluid so Im good on that and I have no leaks what could it be...Ive searched this forum an Im thinking its my thermostat since my car just hit 99k and I read its not common for them to mess up at 100k..on a side note my radiator fan will not kick on even when my engine got real hot...the other fan for the AC kicks on but the fan on the radiator will not so I checked the fuses and did a little relay swap with the other fan relay and the other fan came on so I assume the relays are good so why wont my radiator fan come on?

If it does end up being the thermostat then I could use some help on the location of it in the honda becuz I ve hardly done anything to hondas since I used to own old chevys so Im not real familiar but I know I can do it if someone shows me the way

Anyways any help would be appreciated

peace

start your car up again and when it gets hot check both hoses, the top one should be HOT and then check the bottom one. If it's still cold that means that your thermostat isn't opening up like it should be, so then you would need a new one. I had the same problem a few weeks ago.

Thanks Kicker Imma try that and I do remember the top hose getting hot but I cant remember the bottom hose but anyways if I have to replace the thermostat is it difficult and if so where is it located...I read that I just follow the bottom hose to the engine and then unolt the 2 bolts,I believe ,that the hose is attached to and the thermostat is in there and after that do I just pull it out and put the new one in and isnt there a gasket will that still be good or should I pick up a new one

any help woul dbe great I just want to make sure I dont screw anything up even if it is simple becuz I just havent done much with Hondas/newer cars in general


peace

haha i'm with you, learnin hondas used to chevys

ok but yes use a new seal and make sure that the bleed hole is on top, then squeeze your hoses some to get rid of air pockets n you should be coo

Alright update I did the hose test and sure enough the bastard was cold on the bottom and by the way I checked my radiator fan using a paper clip in the plug that connects by the thermostat and sure enough the fan kicked on so it is the thermostat...so I pulled the old one out and I ve only dealt with thermostat like once but the thing is locked shut so I guess thats the deal I mean I push on it and it barley will open but wont stay open so Imma get a new one and put in and hopefully that does it..
but a quick question the new thermostat just sits in there right becuz the old one I had to pry out with pliers or yank out so all I gotta do is just put the new seal sit it in there and hook it all back up ad then put some more coolant in the system and run the car with the radiator cap off for about 20 minutes to get rid of air in the hoses and im good?

thanks guys for your help so far

yeah, I believe it just sits in there. I hope that works out for you.

Alright update again, I put the new thermostat in and put some coolant in and ran the car for 20 minutes to get rid of air but guess what it still gets hot like I rev the motor and the temp just climbs so I walk away disgruntled and I stop and think well maybe I ll just add some more coolant and see what happens so I go back and add some more coolant and I ll be damned if the bottom hose starts gettin warm and the temp gauge just sits at half and then the radiator fan kicks on so looks like the thermostat was the fix

I drove down to get some gas and everything is good so I got to say thanks for the help guys

Peace

good, I hope it stays workin' good for you. :)

haha don't jinx him and gj :)