I have a 2002 that has been overheating since I.

Tiny
ANNEBERG-LIGHTLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 HONDA CIVIC
  • 232 MILES
I have a 2002 that has been overheating since I bought it. I took it to the dealership mechanic who said it was the thermostat. About a week later it started again. Took it back and they told me the car was fine even though it was struggling to transition between gears. Continued this take it in, looks great routine for a solid 9 months so I thought I was nuts. Shortly after having them inspect it before driving it out of state the transmission went. Towed it back and took it to another mechanic to rebuild the transmission. Drove fine for a little bit after that but began overheating again. Took it back in and they found the radiator was cracked. Replaced the radiator, ran good for a short while and began overheating. Bled the hoses, recommended I use better grade gas then finally admitted they had no clue what was wrong with it. Took it to 4 more mechanics who simply told me the hoses just needed bled and one more who changed out the thermostat again. Still overheating to this day. Has had timing belt, water pump, transmission, radiator and thermostats replaced. Pressure checked with good results, no diagnostic codes indicating issues. I'm completely lost! Losing coolant though its not apparent where, head gaskets fine, no coolant in the engine. It's apparent it overheats now everytime I tap the brakes.
Tuesday, January 8th, 2013 AT 5:10 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Does it loose coolant and when the coolant gets low enough it overheats?Has anyone checked to see if theradiator cap is holding the correct pressure?I have seen where no one checks the cap and it looses coolant thru the cap and overheats.
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Tuesday, January 8th, 2013 AT 7:28 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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When does the overheating occurs and does it happen under any specific driving conditions?

Is the recovery tank depleting or overflowing?

When overheating occurs, do the cooling fans come on and stay running?
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Tuesday, January 8th, 2013 AT 1:58 PM
Tiny
ANNEBERG-LIGHTLE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Car overheats in stop and go traffic. Even if I tap the brakes to slow for curve the heater immediately starts to blow cold air and the engine temp spikes all the way to the top of the red for anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes then cools down again. Radiator cap has been properly checked twice in the past month and a half. The reservoir doesn't appear to be overflowing. The fan appears to come on at the correct time and the thermostat is not stuck and properly functioning. I just seem to be loosing coolant from full to nearly empty of the course of 2 to 3 weeks.
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Tuesday, January 8th, 2013 AT 9:11 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Are both the upper and lower radiator hoses getting too hot to hold?Also when the radiator fan comes on is it blow really hot air or cold air?Has anyone done a chemical block test on it to see if there is exhaust gasses in your coolant?
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Tuesday, January 8th, 2013 AT 11:05 PM
Tiny
ANNEBERG-LIGHTLE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The hoses to me haven't appeared to be extremely hot to the touch. I personally have not touched them but have witnessed multiple mechanics handle them immediately after the car has been running hot without mentioning anything about the hose. I don't know if a chemical block test has been done, but I assume not since I'm not familiar with that term yet. Does seem to be a logical thing to be done.
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Tuesday, January 8th, 2013 AT 11:20 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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We need to see if both upper and lower hoses are getting too hot to hold if they aren't we aren't getting the coolant circulation we need. Also if the radiator fan blows hot or cold air?The chemical block tester you can rent at auto zone you just have to buy the fluid for it. Instructions cone with it the fluid will change a certain color if there is exhaust gasses in the coolant.
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Tuesday, January 8th, 2013 AT 11:35 PM
Tiny
ANNEBERG-LIGHTLE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I'm not exactly sure about the question about the fan. If its whats blowing in the cabin the heat works when the engine temp is in check. When it runs hot the air blows extremely cold in the car. I'm sorry if that's not what info you're asking for. My knowledge of vehicles is limited to only to what's been corrected on this vehicle thus far.
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2013 AT 1:18 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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No the fan on the radaitor to cool the engine down?
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2013 AT 2:50 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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For overheating problems you should not be jumping from mechanic to mechanic. You would be wasting your time as the basic checks do not show anything and when overheating occurs, you should immediately go back to the last mechanic and let him know the situation.

By going to a new mechanic, he would just top up the coolant and checks would show nothing again.

Since you have coolant losses issues, you need to be checking for leaks and as Saturntech9 mentioned, test for carbon/exhaust gases in cooling system.
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2013 AT 1:09 PM

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