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1997 Honda Civic - doing Fine, one issue.

Tiny
ALLYGIRL007
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 HONDA CIVIC
1997 Honda Civic DX
139K - 4 Speed
Previously maintained by a mechanic


About a month ago I noticed a slight whistling sound from the passenger side vent when cutting on the air regardless of the AC being engaged - so about a week ago it started making a louder sound like something had fallen back into the cirulation fan, then it got REALLY loud like it was shaking the whole underside of the car - poss. The compressor was being effected? So I started not using the AC but this morning after learning my gas cap was missing the car started overflowing a slight amount of coolant - the engine did not overheat and there was a little splash back scattered amongst the engine but not enough to cause alarm - the overfill resv. Was about average.

So any ideas? I'm a girl and I'm scared I will be taken advantage of if I don't have some kind of idea of what to expect at a repair shop.

Thank you all and God Bless!

Ally
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Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 AT 7:21 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
Were you missing the gas cap or the radiator cap?
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Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 AT 7:51 AM
Tiny
ALLYGIRL007
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  • 7 POSTS
Just replaced the gas cap at Pep Boys an hour ago - the radiator cap is firmly in place.

Also the thermostat looks fine - hasn't moved up and is sitting in the normal position.

Maybe the thermostat is stuck?

Geeze, I hope this won't be expensive:(
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Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 AT 8:12 AM
Tiny
ALLYGIRL007
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Any suggestions?
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Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 AT 9:48 AM
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
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You leave me confused with your explanation. I am wondering how you can get the fluids sprayed around under the hood without a leak or overheating. Thermostat I reference is different from the guage that I assume you are referring to. The thermostat that I refer to is a device in the cooling system that opens and closes to move the coolant around the system. It lets the coolant warm in the engine, when it reaches a designed temp it opens and lets the fluids go to the heater and the radiator for cooling. The coolant in the radiator is transferred in to the engine to help cool the engine and the process keeps repeating. If the thermostat does not open or close properly problems arise. It is usually the weak link in the cooling system.
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Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 AT 12:49 PM
Tiny
ALLYGIRL007
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Sorry Bruce!

I'm a girl :)

Symptom:

The radiator cap is tight.

Slight buring off of coolant - I see a little steam coming up from the engine - not all the time.

Engine does not overheat.

Slight sweet smell around the hood

Slight amount of coolant splattered as far back as the air intake and a tiny amount pooled under the radiator in the undercarriage.

Prior to the above symptoms I was experiencing issues with the internal blower (very noisy) when my fan was engaged - with or without the A/C button on.

Additionally my gas cap was left behind last night so I drove about 100 miles without it.

Other than that my Honda Civic is a dream to drive and own.

Thank you again Bruce - sorry for the mix up.
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Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 AT 1:09 PM
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
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Ok, I got it. I think it is safe to say that you have a leak in the system. You need to find it. It might be safe to venture that the radiator is bad. Using a flashlight, examine the radiator for ANY wet spots on both sides. Failure to determine where this fluid is coming from could cause serious problems in the short term as summer approaches. Check the ground beneath the vehicle before you move it and associate any leaks to location above to help pinpoint the source of the leak.
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Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 AT 3:31 PM
Tiny
ALLYGIRL007
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Bruce!

I love you!

I will check the car tomorrow morning and report back in!

Thank you so much!

. And a honda radiator is only $100!

Yippy!
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Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 AT 4:32 PM
Tiny
ALLYGIRL007
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Just the top of the radiator is leaking, marginally - the car does not overheat.

Any suggestions? Maybe Stop Leak? Or welding?

Thanks!
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Wednesday, June 20th, 2007 AT 7:27 AM
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
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The top is usually plastic and possibly aluminum. Your best bet is to replace the radiator. Why? Given the age of the radiator and how radiator are made today, being less rugged than their predecessors, I would have a better comfort level with a new one under the hood. This radiator is going to cause you other problems if it decides to do out and it is a wise decision to put in a new one.
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Wednesday, June 20th, 2007 AT 8:39 AM
Tiny
ALLYGIRL007
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Thank you!!!!

:) :) :)

Bruce! Bruce! Bruce!


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/80424_djnature_photoshopped_1.jpg

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Wednesday, June 20th, 2007 AT 11:19 AM

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