Overheating Problem

[Akfranklin2014]

I have a 2000 Honda Civic LX. It would occasionally overheat if I was sitting in traffic or let the engine idle too long without revving it or moving. I recently took it to Ohio (I live in Virginia) and when going through the mountains it was overheating. We let it cool, put in coolant and kept going. Now we've been back home about a week or so, and I have to add coolant pretty much everyday. The cooling fan is always running and has always run like that since I bought it last August. My fiancé is going to put in a new thermostat tomorrow, I just hope it isn't a head fast problem. Any suggestions??

 

[Diana Nam]

I have a 2000 Honda Civic LX. It would occasionally overheat if I was sitting in traffic or let the engine idle too long without revving it or moving. I recently took it to Ohio (I live in Virginia) and when going through the mountains it was overheating. We let it cool, put in coolant and kept going. Now we've been back home about a week or so, and I have to add coolant pretty much everyday. The cooling fan is always running and has always run like that since I bought it last August. My fiancé is going to put in a new thermostat tomorrow, I just hope it isn't a head fast problem. Any suggestions??

does it smoke?, either your radiator might be clogged or your water pump is failing. and if you let the engine overheat to many times it will end up warping the cylinder head which will cost you more money to fix. how did she figure that it might be the thermostat problem? i wouldn't be so quick to buy what ever related parts and hope if fixes it unless if the part was suggested.

 

[Akfranklin2014]

does it smoke?, either your radiator might be clogged or your water pump is failing. and if you let the engine overheat to many times it will end up warping the cylinder head which will cost you more money to fix. how did she figure that it might be the thermostat problem? i wouldn't be so quick to buy what ever related parts and hope if fixes it unless if the part was suggested.

No, it doesn't smoke at all. It was suggested I replace the thermostat by the person who normally works on my vehicles. He's in FL right now so can't look at it. If I have someone flush and bleed the coolant system will this help fix a clogged radiator?

 

[Diana Nam]

No, it doesn't smoke at all. It was suggested I replace the thermostat by the person who normally works on my vehicles. He's in FL right now so can't look at it. If I have someone flush and bleed the coolant system will this help fix a clogged radiator?

ok well if he suggested it then i would go with that first since those parts don't cost very much at all about 10-20$. but no once the radiator is clogged your way better off replacing it most places won't even bother with that and would just suggest you replace it anyways.

 

[Akfranklin2014]

ok well if he suggested it then i would go with that first since those parts don't cost very much at all about 10-20$. but no once the radiator is clogged your way better off replacing it most places won't even bother with that and would just suggest you replace it anyways.

Thanks. Is there a way to tell if it's the water pump without just replacing it?

 

[dancam]

Thanks. Is there a way to tell if it's the water pump without just replacing it?

Yup. First replace rad cap. Check if it overheats still. Then replace thermostat. Check again. Then replace radiator. Check again. If it still overheats and the gauge doesnt seem suspect then check how the flow looks with cap off and thermostat open. If its not much then replace water pump. Pump seals usually fail before the impellers though, is it leaking?


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[Akfranklin2014]

Yup. First replace rad cap. Check if it overheats still. Then replace thermostat. Check again. Then replace radiator. Check again. If it still overheats and the gauge doesnt seem suspect then check how the flow looks with cap off and thermostat open. If its not much then replace water pump. Pump seals usually fail before the impellers though, is it leaking?


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Already done rad cap, thermostat is next! Process of elimination it is! Also, I haven't seen a leak but it's been very rainy and snowy here. The coolant is going somewhere though. I'm refilling it almost daily.

 

[mc360]

ya just spend money and throw parts at it, you will eventually get it..... do a leakdown test on the cylinders, honestly it sounds like a bad head gasket to me. check your oil and see if it looks like a frothy shake, if not smell your radiator (open cap when cold) and see if it smells like exhaust, if it does then you have a blown head gasket. you dont always have oil and water mixing when the gasket goes and you dont always have a huge cloud of smoke behind you when your burning coolant either.

 

[Hondaman4ever]

I had an overheating problem with my '95 Civic and changing the thermostat didn't fix it. Radiator wasn't leaking. I kept noticing the coolant reservoir level was always getting low after driving no matter how many times I filled it up. I also saw small BUBBLES IN THE COOLANT (overflow) RESERVOIR, which as far as I know can be a sign of a blown head gasket. Check to see if you can see small bubbles in your reservoir. Bad sign.

I know there's a tool (block tester) which you can buy and use yourself and it will tell you if it is a head gasket problem. The tool looks like a turkey baster. I'm not sure but I think a compression test will tell you too if it is a head gasket.

I know it sounds like bad news but I agree with mc360. It might be your head gasket is gone.

 

[Akfranklin2014]

I changed out the thermostat but it's still doing it. I have State Farm In-Drive, which alerts me when the temp goes up or down. I noticed this morning it went up and down quite a few times before I got a temp alert. Guess I'm onto the radiator next. Was hoping it wouldn't get this far. I haven't even had it a year yet

 

[mc360]

Just keep throwing parts at it, it will get better

 

[Hondaman4ever]

I changed out the thermostat but it's still doing it. I have State Farm In-Drive, which alerts me when the temp goes up or down. I noticed this morning it went up and down quite a few times before I got a temp alert. Guess I'm onto the radiator next. Was hoping it wouldn't get this far. I haven't even had it a year yet

It sounds like the same problem I was having with my then '95 civic. Temp would go up and down but there was no leak in the rad. The shop wanted a lot of money to check for a head gasket issue. Didn't bother with that 'cause I'd only paid $750 for the car and it lasted me 3 years. So I just sold it to the wreckers for $300.

Just hope it's not a head gasket because that would suck.

 

[mc360]

On a honda a head gasket is really not bad, very minimal parts removal and as long as you didn't super overheat it you usually can just slap a new gasket on without machining the head or block, you could do the whole job in 4 hours probably if you know what your doing.