car overheating

[winston727]

MY 89 civic DX is overheating. There is plenty of fluid in the radiator, and we replaced the thermostat. After it gets hot the tube that leads from the radiator to the thermostat/ intake manifold is still cold like it's not letting the coolant flow. There are no apparent leaks and I have bled the system of air, any suggestions?

[maxassassin]

is the coolant in your radiator even worth anything because its its pretty much crappy and gross its gonna burn and boil off. so flush it if it needs it.

[timmytim]

Have you checked the water pump? Sounds like its not pumping

[livinincalifornia]

is it a "timed" overheat, as in it will run at normal but then it will go up to the H and then go back down after awhile..if that is the case it's likely your headgasket is blown allowing air to get forced into the coolant creating an overheat condition.

[amy@af]

Originally Posted by timmytim

Have you checked the water pump? Sounds like its not pumping

the only way a water pump goes bad is if it leaks.

if you bled the system of air, you have coolant, and no leaks then i would lean towards the thermo.

have you checked the oil to see if it looks cloudy or like chocolate milk?

[winston727]

Originally Posted by LadyNRedSi

the only way a water pump goes bad is if it leaks.

if you bled the system of air, you have coolant, and no leaks then i would lean towards the thermo.

have you checked the oil to see if it looks cloudy or like chocolate milk?

The oil looks fine and it only starts to overheat when I drive it. When I just let it idle and warm up it stays near normal but once I drive for about 5 minutes it starts getting hot. I never let it actually get to the H. I always shut it off before that. When I restart the car it still shows that it's warmer than usual but not extremely hot and never comes back down. I jsut replaced the thermostat. Could it be bad already?

[amy@af]

is your fan kicking on?

if AT are both fans kicking on?

i have bought thermo's that were bad straight out of the box. we made good habbit of testing them. do you know how to test?

[timmytim]

wouldnt a bad coolant temperature sensor cause similar symptoms?

[winston727]

not exactly sure how to test the thermo. something about putting it in boiling water and to see if it opens right.

[winston727]

Originally Posted by winston727

not exactly sure how to test the thermo. something about putting it in boiling water and to see if it opens right.

I have a manual and yes the fan is kicking in