Overheating

2004 HONDA CIVIC
120,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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MIKE BARNWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My daughter's car will show that it is overheating on the temperature gauge but we never see any smoke or smell anything. We have changed the thermostat, hoses, water pump and radiator but it still shows as overheating. At one time the car would "kick" between gears after overheating, but that is no longer happening. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
Jun 25, 2020 at 11:58 PM
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KASEKENNY
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay. First thing we need to do is confirm that it is actually overheating. Do this with a laser temperature meter. Here is a guide that helps:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-infrared-temperature-meter

Check around the engine on the block and head then the radiator hoses and other cooling system components. Basically we just need to see what the temperature is to see if we can confirm if it is actually overheating.

This will determine which direction we go. Clearly there are very different because if the engine is not actually overheating then we have a sensor/wiring/control module issue. If it is overheating then clearly we have a mechanical issue.

Let us know what the actual temperature is around the engine and we can go from there. Thanks
Jun 26, 2020 at 1:14 AM
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