My Honda is overheating

hondacivicracer21 · #1 09-26-2005, 05:27 PM

I have a 92 honda civic dx that i race a quarter mile with and it wasn't doing that good, so i had a used d15b7 engin put in it. it still dosen't run very good when i first start it, it will go from 1000 to 2000 rpms back and fourth untill it gets warmed up. and when I took it to the track to practice it I was only able to do 11 laps befor it overheated. Would this be because i need a new thermostat or what? dose anyone know

i_a_n112784 · #2 09-26-2005, 06:42 PM

Ok, first of all, you're racing with a d15. Not that great of an idea, or so is my opinion.

As for the heat problems, let it warm up, and feel the radiator hoses, there should be a noticable temp difference. If there is, the thermostat is working. Other than that, see if the fan is turning on. And as always, watch coolant levels, don't check the bottle, check the radiator itself.

hondacivicracer21 · #3 09-26-2005, 08:24 PM

thanx for the info, my radiator hoses do get warm and that is when it starts to run better, and i am able to turn my fan on from inside my car so after i start it i generally turn my fan right on. and i also fill my radiator to the top (untll it begins to overflow) do you think it could be my waterpump? or could it be the fact that i just had an engin put in it and the computer dosn't recognize it?

E Honda · #4 09-26-2005, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hondacivicracer21

thanx for the info, my radiator hoses do get warm and that is when it starts to run better, and i am able to turn my fan on from inside my car so after i start it i generally turn my fan right on. and i also fill my radiator to the top (untll it begins to overflow) do you think it could be my waterpump? or could it be the fact that i just had an engin put in it and the computer dosn't recognize it?

Its not the ecu not recognizing.
Kinda odd that you race cars but do not know how to figure out why it's running hot......You still running the stock fan? I have seen people put on aftermarket fans and have the blades spinning the wrong way. Or even wire it backwards.

i_a_n112784 · #5 09-26-2005, 10:55 PM

If it's an aftermarket fan, definately check the direction. You can easily do this with a sheet of paper when the fan's on, just stick the paper in front of the fan, and watch where it goes. And shredded paper won't damage anything.

It could be a waterpump, especially if the engine runs continuously at high rpms, which would happen during racing.

hondacivicracer21 · #6 09-28-2005, 11:23 AM

well it is the stock fan so unless the company put it in backwords it is running normal so we can ruel that out. i am only 15 so i really dont no as much as you guys probibly do, what about the rpms? would that be the same problem? thanx

i_a_n112784 · #7 09-28-2005, 06:16 PM

When they design the engines/cooling systems, they torture these engines to try to get them to fail. Are you sure the engine is overheating? It could be a bad sensor giving the gauge a wrong reading. If it's hot, pop the hood, theres a huge difference between normal temp and almost at the H temp, and should easily be noticable. If all of that seems right, I would say water pump.

As for the rpm, has someone screwed with the idle control motor for the car? Behind the intake manifold, by the throttle body there is a little box like thing bolted with 2 10 or 12mm bolts to the intake, unbolt that, and you will see a little screen, clean that out with carb cleaner, and see if that helps. Otherwise there is a screw on that thing, try adjusting it. If someone cranked that screw the wrong way, the car will try to rev up, and the computer will try to turn it down, but it will keep cycling like that. Or look for vacuum leaks. A hole in the fuel pressure regulator hose will cause idle changes, just like many other vacuum hoses.

hondacivicracer21 · #8 10-03-2005, 08:22 PM

thanks for the help, that seemed to help alot, i also just took out the thermostat, would you have any idea how to gain some easy speed on the track? i cant do much because my devision is suppost to be stock

i_a_n112784 · #9 10-03-2005, 09:37 PM

Do you want to get to a certain speed faster, or get to a faster speed?

And what is "stock" considered to be? I'm sure there are rules and such...

hondacivicracer21 · #10 10-05-2005, 07:21 PM

faster acceloration would be nice, by stock i just mean factory parts like the engin, transmission, radiator, and cpu

i_a_n112784 · #11 10-05-2005, 07:44 PM

Well, you can always screw with the gearing, which will make it accelerate faster, but loose top end.

By factory parts, you mean it must be a honda part, or honda part from that specific car?

hondacivicracer21 · #12 10-06-2005, 08:39 PM

just 92 honda civic parts, how hard is it to adjust the gears?

i_a_n112784 · #13 10-06-2005, 10:06 PM

Well, as far as getting more power, you're pretty much screwed unless you go for ex/si parts.

To change the gears, you've got to completely tear down the transmission, and you'll need a press to get them off. If the thought of this frightens you, it's best you don't try because there is alot to break in there or not do right, like the detent system.

You might be better off getting a ex or si tranny as they are geared more for acceleration.

hondacivicracer21 · #14 10-06-2005, 10:13 PM

would that bolt right on? how r dx trannys geared for speed, acceloriation or what?

i_a_n112784 · #15 10-07-2005, 08:31 AM

A si or ex tranny would bolt right up, use all your existing parts. Dx's are geared more for milage, and slower acceleration. You could also get a new ecu.

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