2001 Honda Civic Radiator

Tiny
BUTTERFLY99
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 199,293 MILES
Hello,
I just had a new cooling fan put in my car 3 months ago because my car overheated and melted the fan. Then, I had my bearings in my transmission replaced a couple of days ago. Now, my radiator is leaking, and my engine ran hot again. I paid $250 for the fan $1250 for the transmission and new clutch and now they are charging me $300 for a new radiator. You would think after spending $1800 in 3 months on my car that I would have a car that runs like a pearl. I am so frustrated with my situation, and now I don't trust any mechanics. Is there some other reason that my car would be running hot. This last time it overheated, they told me it melted the plastic radiator reservoir. I told him give me a new radiator and thermostat and that is all I am doing now. What other reasons could be making my car run hot? The first time I was told the fan melted and that was the cause. This time I was told they are going to put the new radiator in 1st before they could see if there is another problem. I did see the leak with my own eyes under my car, so, I am pretty sure that I need a new radiator. If it was the water pump or a blown head gasket, wouldn't he have been able to tell by just looking? Thanks for your help.
Monday, November 2nd, 2009 AT 8:18 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi Butterfly99,

Sorry to hear of the problems you have encountered.

The cooling system is rather straight forward.

Coolant in the system with the water pump moving the coolant around, thermostat to control/stabilise the temperature and the cooling fans to draw the heat from coolant flowing through the radiator.

Overheating occurs when
1. Fan motor does not work.
2. Insufficient coolant in system, could be due to leaks.
3. Stuck thermostat
4. Faulty water pump.
5. Bad head gasket.

For most modern engines when overheating occurs, the head gasket does not fail immediately. It might take a few months before the problem becomes obvious.

It is not easy to visually detect a bad gasket, testing would have to be carried out.

If you have coolant losses issues, it would cause the radiator top tank to crack as insufficient coolant would result in steam in the cooling system which is higher than bolinig water and this woulc cause the tank to crack over time.
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Thursday, November 5th, 2009 AT 9:54 AM

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