87 crx is overheating.

[dutchct]

as the title states. i have an 87 carborated crx that was running hot.

i swapped out the aftermarket thermostat for a honda part. the problem just got worse as the honda part doesnt open as wide or as soon. the aftermarket stat went back in.

ive re bled the cooling system at least 12 times. im certain there is no air in the system. there is flow from the water pump and the heater is blowing hot air. also the rad fan works as it should.

i am at the point now that i might just take the thermostat out and run it like that. i figure its the head gasket and if there are no other options to me ill rebuild it in a month.

somethings about the headgasket: the engine runs super clean, the oil inside the valve cover isnt milky and the coolant doesnt seem to be contaminated.

the engine overheats quickest when sitting at idle.

also, what direction does the coolant flow? from the thermo to the bottom of rad or from the bottom of rad to thermo?


thanks so much for your help

[Figori]

Check all of your hoses, and make sure that they have some pressure (squeeze them gently). You could have a bad water pump. Also, make sure your fan is kicking on when it should, or you can wire it to come on all of the time. Hope that helps!

[dutchct]

all those hoses have pressure.

the hose coming from the top of the rad is quite fat.

those hose from the thermo to the bottom of the rad is sometimes sucked in slightly. im assuming this is all dependant of the thermo being open or not.

[lxndr]

Have you tried back flushing the cooling system?

[dutchct]

flushing it backward? how would one do that? ive just run water thru the rad cap.

[JiGGaWaTT]

I to share your pain

[lxndr]

Yes, back flushing.

Go to your local autoparts store and get an adapter for your heater hose (they'll know what it is). This adapter allows you to hook up a garden hose to your cooling system in order to flush out all the sludge and grime that accumulates in older engines. There are several products available that you can then put in the radiator to help clean out the system. I usually use sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) for this and you'd be amazed by the quantity of crap that comes out of the system. I'd also get a short piece of heater hose and attach it the the heater core then install the adapter. When you're done you can pull out the short hose and adapter so you don't have to leave the adapter spliced in the system.

[dutchct]

alright i did the back flushing, no result.
im running the honda stat in there now.

the car over heats worst at idle. when on the hwy its fine.

the coolant has gotten milky. so im thinking its the headgasket. how do i make sure? are there any other tests i can do?

also when climbing hills at normal temp, the car starts to bog and looses power. a couple seconds later i get the power back. this happens at hwy speed. around 110 km/h

is this a symptom of the head gasket? i thought maybe the car was running too rich.

[lxndr]

Sounds like a bad head gasket. I would guess that your oil is milky too.

Your car is overheating because your cooling system can't maintain pressure. I suppose the bogging up hills problem could be related. Hmmm, if the car is straining to get up a hill then it is heating up, which could cause more pressure in the cooling system which in turn could spray fluid into one of the cylinders, causing it to labor harder, causing the engine to over heat, causing...
Not much you can do, except replace the head gasket.

[revhalzoo]

it does sound like a head gasket, but pressure check your radiator cap first, if it doesnt hold pressure you will be overheating

[STRIPIT]

Hi dutchct,
The easy way is to get some engin seal you can add to you coolant, not radiator stop leak. should be about 7 bucks. you can try your temp switch at the bottom of your radiator or side of the head swap the wires in case you have a fan the can turn the wrong way due to wires. the water in the block flows to the thermostat when it opens at temp water flows through to the radiator. if you do not use engin seal you can also check for exhaust gas in you coolant, buy a kit. or see if your water keeps releasing air even if the system full. you can pressurize the system with a radiator tester and force or cause a leak to show itself. DO NOT ATTEMPT when car is hot or if your hoses are not firm. engin seal will fix the problem but gum it up also. you'll need to get some that drys hard, than in 3 month flush the system. hose can last a life-time but hoses should be changed every 2 years when flushing. Just incase; thats a flush chem for a 1.5hrs that water to get that out then close the pit then anti-rust and 50/50 coolant and water be sure to change the cap too. hoses are good for 4 yrs if your lucky and most are, if trouble happens those old hose will not hold up. a used thermostat is never reccomed, ever, none at all is better.

Good luck
Hope I was some help

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