An other overheating post...90 civic

[kazbear]

I got my civic used. I bought it knowing it had a crack in the top tank of the radiator. I figured I could live with it, and I have for some time, just needing to top off now and again. Its been about 8 mos, and now its started to overheat. Usually after about 20 min of highway driving, sometimes stop and go, sometimes at a good clip.

I have a learned a lot reading through the threads here. Thanks, you guys know your stuff.

So, I got a new (used) radiator (I am still cheap). I checked the Thermostat by boiling it - it passed (Is this really a good check?) I have no leaks, no white, blue, brown or any other color smoke, and nothing else unusual that I can think of. Can't tell if the water pump is bad, no noise and no leaks. I read something about the Heater Core, but did not quite understand that one...

Anyway, still overheats, but now even faster.

Any other suggestions? Thanks

[johnb16a2]

Originally Posted by kazbear

I got my civic used. I bought it knowing it had a crack in the top tank of the radiator. I figured I could live with it, and I have for some time, just needing to top off now and again. Its been about 8 mos, and now its started to overheat. Usually after about 20 min of highway driving, sometimes stop and go, sometimes at a good clip.

I have a learned a lot reading through the threads here. Thanks, you guys know your stuff.

So, I got a new (used) radiator (I am still cheap). I checked the Thermostat by boiling it - it passed (Is this really a good check?) I have no leaks, no white, blue, brown or any other color smoke, and nothing else unusual that I can think of. Can't tell if the water pump is bad, no noise and no leaks. I read something about the Heater Core, but did not quite understand that one...

Anyway, still overheats, but now even faster.

Any other suggestions? Thanks

Hi Noob! Welcome!

The new to you radiator might look good but may be plugged up on the inside. This makes the radiator essentially "smaller" and can't keep up with the heat the engine generates. The only way to tell if it's any good is to bring it to a radiator shop and have them flow test it.

Boiling the thermostat is a good way to test it but it still may fail intermittently so just pop for a new one (and gasket), they're cheap.

The water pump may not leak but the impeller (the part of the water pump that moves the water) can over time erode away (again making it "smaller"). Therefore the pump can't flow enough water to keep the engine cool. The pump is a little tough to get at (it's run by the timing belt) so depending on your skill level you may want to bring it to a radiator shop to have them check. Actually if you don't have any record of the timing belt and/or pump replaced recently just replace them anyway.

The heater core (it's a little radiator to heat the interior) ususally has nothing to do with your car overheating.

You also may have a blown head gasket even though you don't see white smoke out the tail pipe. Do you add coolant regularly?

[tunky]

I have the same problem as you. It overheats within minutes when I do alot of stops. When I drive on highway is fine until theres traffic jam then starts to overheat. My guess on mine is that maybe the fan is bad. I going to check it this weekend.

Maybe your fan is not working too! just a guess

I need help too! Thanks

[johnb16a2]

Originally Posted by tunky

I have the same problem as you. It overheats within minutes when I do alot of stops. When I drive on highway is fine until theres traffic jam then starts to overheat. My guess on mine is that maybe the fan is bad. I going to check it this weekend.

Maybe your fan is not working too! just a guess

I need help too! Thanks

Oh yeah, that too. Thanks!

[Hybrid1990crx]

Yeah may have warped your head after over heating so many times. This in turn is going to cause you to blow the headgasket. I'd look into this before driving that car anymore before you cause more damage.

[91civichatch2571]

^^Yea, hes right. do a compression test to check the headgasket. Look for a plugged radiator as said before and as for the heater core deal, if that was leaking you would usually smell coolant and maybe have a leak onto your carpet from under the dash.

[kazbear]

Thanks for all the great info. I checked the records, the timing belt and water pump were replaced at 103,000. The odometer stuck at 150,000 so I am not sure how much its got. Probably 160 by now.
The Warped head thing makes me nervous. Sounds like an expensive problem. Any easy way for me to check, or do I need to take it in? I am approaching the point of wondering if it would be worth it. I only paid $1200 for it and I can't sink a bunch into this.

[kazbear]

OK, so I rechecked everything. Flushed out the coolant and refilled. started the car from cold and watched with the radiator cap off to see that the Thermostat kicks in. I had it adleing for about 30 min and it seems fine (Fans kick on fine...). I guess the real test is to drive it a bit.

Makes me wish I had kept my 86 si I bought new (had it 7 yrs). Never a lick of trouble when kept up with...Nothing but car trouble since I traded it in...

[kazbear]

I just wanted to say thanks to all who helped me out. All is cool now. No damage, no overheating...

[johnb16a2]

Originally Posted by kazbear

I just wanted to say thanks to all who helped me out. All is cool now. No damage, no overheating...

Good to hear things worked out.

[kazbear]

Originally Posted by kazbear

I just wanted to say thanks to all who helped me out. All is cool now. No damage, no overheating...

If only I was so lucky! All seemed well for a while. 2 days ago, on my way home, the temp gage started to climb, then back down. And then some more. I stopped to check things out and let it cool a little. Had trouble starting it again, but finally did and kept going. Had to stop at store and it did not start again. Had to leave it there and walk.

Oh well. Must have done some damage when I initially overheated (Like you guys warned me). Well, after a day or so, I tried to start it up again. Eventually it did. I was able to drive it home where it sits awaiting futher action. I will not drive it again till I figure this out.

[johnb16a2]

Originally Posted by kazbear

If only I was so lucky! All seemed well for a while. 2 days ago, on my way home, the temp gage started to climb, then back down. And then some more. I stopped to check things out and let it cool a little. Had trouble starting it again, but finally did and kept going. Had to stop at store and it did not start again. Had to leave it there and walk.

Oh well. Must have done some damage when I initially overheated (Like you guys warned me). Well, after a day or so, I tried to start it up again. Eventually it did. I was able to drive it home where it sits awaiting futher action. I will not drive it again till I figure this out.

Sorry to hear that.

Did you end up replacing the thermostat? Were you down on coolant?

[Hybrid1990crx]

was it smoking at all?

[kazbear]

No smoke. Coolant level was fine (Is not now). No leaks, no puddles. Did not replace Thermostat, it appears to be working, but I will...

[kazbear]

So, I am losing coolant. I guess that's what all the water coming from my tailpipe is! Just noticed that today, while I was checking a few things. I had it idling for about 30 min. and looked for that. there was a bit of a drip, then I reved the engine. Checked it and it was a spatter and puddle! I guess this would also have something to do with it having trouble starting when facing downhill?

Given this, I am assuming head gasket with possible warped head? This is something I will attempt on my own, and see if the shop down the street will machine the head for me, if needed.

Since I have never done anything to this extent, I will need a few things: Shop Manual, some tools (Tourq Wrench), gasket (set? - Whats up with that?) some time. And it looks like you guys are great support, so if you don't mind, I may end up asking lots of questions.

Any advice or good online reading is appreciated. I will document this with photos, just in case it helps someone else.

Anyway, thanks for all the support so far...
kaz