Engine overheating

Tiny
KMCGILVERY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 HONDA CIVIC
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 224,195 MILES
My car keeps overheating. There are no leaks, brand new radiator, and overflow tank. It will run great and fans come on, but when I drive it goes from the middle to the H part. Please help me because me and my kids only have this for transportation.
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Have coolant system pressure checked for an internal leak. Maybe a head gasket.
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RYAN L
  • ADMIN
  • 256 POSTS
Here is the link to a great video on how to test for a blown head gasket.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zpNjYmmiYY
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
APICKERT55
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
Engine Cooling problem
1995 Honda Civic 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 180000 miles

One year ago my car started overheating after buying it from a hackjob used car salesman. I took it to monroe and they replaced a cracked hose and took out my thermostat and recommended replacement. I drove on it for some time with no problems what so ever then took it back to the dealer to get a new thermostat free of charge ( at that time they also fixed a cracked muffler that they had tried to tape together ) Some time after that it would over heat here and there which would just tell me my fluids where low because it was leaking from my radiator. We went on just adding fluids every week for one year until my radiator finaly cracked and needed replacement. It was fine for one week until it started overheating when going up hills or on hot hot days. Now it overheats everywhere accept when I am driving over 40 mph, and sometimes that doesnt even work. We checked the fan a year ago and it came on when hot and I dont have a.C in the car. It is full of fluids in the reserve and the radiator. Whats going on?

Also I forgot to mention that the heat doesnt come on barely ever after the radiator replacement. And if it does it takes about an hour of running before you get WARM air nothing like regular heat though.
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
The system may not of been bled properly. The fact that the heater doesn't blow hot tells me either

a)you have a clogged heater core
b)there is an air lock in the system(re-bleed the system)
c)you have a coolant leak.
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DJZOOBY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 190,000 MILES
Engine Cooling problem
1995 Honda Civic 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual 190000 miles

Hi,
as u already know my car. Previously I was facing overheating problems due to blown head gaskit. My mechanic told me to replace the gaskit. So I did. But nothing happened. The problem was same. The cooling system generated air pressure inside the hoses. And on air conditioner, it get more overheated. But another mechanic told me about the cracked head and told me to get my head resurfaced. As he replaced the gaskit and resurfaced the head. But when I took my car out of the garage after a little while my care overheated and my upper hose pipe blasted. And water was coming out.I immediately switched off the car.

Another thing that I noticed is that the reserve bottle of coolant is leaked. Does this thing creates pressure in system?

There are no bubbles in the radiator, no water is being rushed out from the radiator. This means my gaskit is good. N resurfacing is working.

But still watss the problem that my system is generating Air pressure?
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the radiator if its clogged-up and the water pump if its functioning-if okay could be airlock in the system that's needs bleeding. If it continues get it block and pressure tested-Coolings are they coming on and thermostat operating properly.
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DENISEFUEHRER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 HONDA CIVIC
My 1995 Honda Civic EX is overheating almost immediately after I start running my car. I don't know my engine size, but it is standard for this type of car. It has about 210,000 miles on it, and I did not have any problems or symptoms before this. About a week ago, I was heading for a long trip, so my husband added some water where the antifreeze usually goes (there was some antifreeze in there, but it was definately low), since we didn't have any antifreeze in the house. He said this would be okay (is it?). The next morning, I started :( on my trip, and about five minutes down the road I noticed steam coming from the hood, and my temperature gauge all the way on HOT. I opened the hood and the place where the antifreeze goes was literally boiling. I let the car cool, and then tried to drive it home, but the gauge was on HOT in a matter of minutes. It was driven home, and has not been driven since. I would really appreciate some help with this. Thanks.
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
Coolant or antifreeze is better for the car than plain water but it had antifreeze in and was only thinned by the water addition. NOT A PROBLEM.

There is a leak in the system. I would venture that a pressure check on the system would reveal a leak. A radiator is my guess. The leak is probably on the top of it and it lets air in to the system. This affects the boiling point of the coolant. Check the radiator for a crack. Replace the thermostat and hope that the head was not damaged. You may find that a head gasket is the problem but start by looking for a leak. The system is a closed system.
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DRUSSELLL2002
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 HONDA CIVIC
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 169,000 MILES
Engine Cooling problem
1995 Honda Civic 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 169000 miles

I have a 1995 Honda civic Vtech ex coupe. I bought it off a friend and the car had been sitting for a while. I have change thermostat, spark plugs, Distrubutor cap and rotor. Also I flushed my radiator and had the timing put back in timed. My Problem now is my car has been overheating since I got the car I checked for leaks and no signs. I have even sealed my gasket to my thermostat and I am out of ideals of what could be makeing my car overheat the fans do work and I am just about spent out to replace more parts. What do I need to do since every time I go to start the car it starts but when it overheats I have to get a jump to start it then turn it off so it can cool?
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

you flushed the radiator, but did you get it flow tested? As it may be part blocked. Also check that the thermostat is actually working, (boil it up in a pan on the stove to see if its opening fully) Start here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAYC
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 HONDA CIVIC
Engine Cooling problem
1995 Honda Civic 4 cyl Automatic

To whom this may concern,
My honda has been doing a number of things in which I cannot explain. In the morning I check my coolant levels and almost always
they are really low, in the reservoir tank and radiator. I have to put coolant in almost everyday before I go anywhere. I'm suppose to get my car smogged to receive my new tags but I'm afraid it won't pass if it's overheating. I wish I knew what the problem is so I can get my car fixed in time. I would really apreciate it if someone can help me figure out what could be wrong with my car. Thank you
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If you're not leaking externally could be burning in the cylinders get it block and pressure tested-
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CRAZTLO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 186,000 MILES
Engine Cooling problem
1995 Honda Civic 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 186000 miles

My car is overheating. Its not holding the coolant and notices that the steam is coming from the back of the engine. Its not a lot of steam but enough to let you know theres a hole in the hose. Any predictions on what may need to be replaced or what hose it may be?
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Could be a heater hose or a freeze plug investigate closely
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HOCKEY_PUPPY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 HONDA CIVIC
Engine Cooling problem
1995 Honda Civic 4 cyl

The overall problem with my car is that it overheats. I took it on a dirt road a few months ago (that was a bad idea) and I think the dirt clogged the radiator or something and it died (but the rest of my car's fine). So I got a new radiator but this one leaks too, but not as bad. It leaks out at the top, right below where the top part meets the rest of the radiator. But it only leaks when im filling it, once im driving its fine. Until it gets hot (after a few days), then it blows out steam. Ive also noticed that the hose going from the radiator into the white container next to it (the reservoir?) Blows out air because the colant/water thats in there bubbles (not boils) after the cars been on for a while. Also the level of the fluid in the container fluxuates and is almost always dirty looking even after I dump out the dirty fluid and replace it with clean colant/water. The warning on the radiator says to wait until the engine cools to take the radiator cap off because its pressurized and it'll shoot out and burn me, but I can take it off right after I park and it doesnt do anything, I think because its not pressurized anymore because of the leak. Or something. (?)
ive already flushed and cleaned the cooling system before I put radiator stop leak stuff in it (which didnt seem to help much). When I turn the heat on, if i've just filled the radiator, the heat is hot and everything runs fine, but afer a while the heat turns cool and then I know the engine temperature needle is going to rise and its time to put more colant/water in the radiator.
So I guess im wondering why it does this and how to fix it.

On a somewhat seperate note, I think my car has electrical issues that may or may not be connected. I noticed it when I first got the car (september 2010) because everytime I turned the car off everything electrical (the clock and radio) would reset.
I also think I have a power surge because when the car is in park or if im just stoped at a red light, the engine will rev, but as soon as I start going again its fine. But it doesnt do it all the time.
When I fill the gas tank it'll squirt out fuel before it shuts off if I dont watch it carefully too.

Are any of these problems connected and what can I do? Thanks!
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi hockey_puppy,

Replacing a bad radiator with another bad one does not solve problems. You need to get the radiator replaced. Hopefully the the engine has not been damaged yet.

The surging is due to insufficient coolant in system.

System is not pressurised because of the leak.

The memory of the clock and radio has been erased because power to them has been interrupted. Check the back-up ( radio ) fuse in underhood fuse box.
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KOKO23
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 HONDA CIVIC
  • 150,000 MILES
I have a 95 Civic that keeps overheating. I can't drive more than about 5 miles if that before it runs hot. I got a new head gasket, new valve cover gasket, water pump, thermostat, and a new radiator cap. I did a radiator flush as well. I don't know what else it could be. My next step is replacing the radiator and/or the temperature gage. Please help!
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Are the cooling fans working?
Was the system bled of air?
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EAGLE ED
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 HONDA CIVIC
Electrical problem
1995 Honda Civic 4 cyl Automatic 93500 miles

After about 50 miles drive my engine overheated. After sometime the engine cool off. The electrical fun is not functioning yet we drove back. In the middle of our trip, engine overheated again. We connected fun directly to the battery and we were able to return home. My mechanic changed the thermo switch. It ran at first but stopped again. It only runs when the fan is directly connected to the battery. Please advise. Thank you very much.
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:03 PM (Merged)

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