Having an overheating problem with my civic. Changed thermostat and other stuff but still overheating
My car is overheating after I take a long drive on the highway. Replaced the thermostat, thermoswitch, coolant temp sensor and flushed the coolant system. I noticed my coolant fans are coming on intermittently and the temp is 217 degrees before it does. Ran compression test on all four cylinders as well as a leaksown test and block test. All are within acceptable standard.
My car has 192000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. Although this is just a guess, it’s possible that you might have an obstruction in the heater core of your 2004 Honda Civic. Here is a quick way to find out if this is true. When you car is warmed up, turn the heater on full blast (with the AC OFF) and see if you have hot air blowing. If not, this is your problem. If you have warm air coming out of the vents, then I would suspect that your radiator fan motor is the fault or cause of your problem. I would recommend having a professional mechanic come to your location to complete a car is running hotter than normal inspection to help you diagnose the problem first.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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If your car is still overheating even after you`ve changed the thermostat, you`re likely dealing with an issue with your radiator. It could be clogged, which would restrict the flow of coolant and cause your radiator to overheat.
The most common reasons a Honda Civic is overheating are a coolant leak (water pump, radiator, hose etc.), the radiator fan, or a failed thermostat.
Overheating can be caused by a: Cooling system leak – This is the most common cause for a car to overheat. The radiator, hoses, water pump, head gasket, and thermostat housing are all components of the cooling system, and all can be susceptible to leaks.
If you find that you`ve got a car running hot but not overheating there might be a few reasons: Clogged or damaged radiator. Low coolant level. Damaged water pump or thermostat.
One way to check for proper coolant circulation is to check the upper and lower radiator hoses. The upper radiator hose should be hot, around 190–200 °F. (The safest and most accurate way to get this temperature reading is with an infrared thermometer.)
Leaks are the #1 reason a vehicle begins to overheat. Leaks in hoses, the radiator, water pump, thermostat housing, heater core, head gasket, freeze plugs and a few other things can all lead to problems with the vehicle`s cooling system.
The most common causes of overheating include low coolant level (including that due to leaks), a faulty thermostat, a plugged radiator, a faulty radiator pressure cap, collapsed hoses, non functioning cooling fans, and a faulty water pump or drive belt.
If your car is overheating, you should pull over at the first safe opportunity. Don`t touch the hood until you`ve given the vehicle at least 30 minutes to cool down. There are many reasons why a car would overheat, but issues with your coolant or your radiator are the most likely causes.
In some cases there may be air pockets in the heater core which can cause the heating of the inside of the vehicle to fluctuate between warm and cool air erratically. Engine overheating can be caused by a number of things such as low coolant levels, a faulty thermostat, or a failing coolant fan switch.
Radiator Hose Troubles:
Another symptom of a clogged or faulty radiator is if the radiator hoses are hot to touch. The hoses carry the car coolant from the radiator to the engine. If the hoses are hot, it means that the coolant is not flowing correctly and the engine is overheating.
The thermostat, located between the radiator and the engine, ensures the coolant stays below a specific temperature. If the temperature of the coolant falls below a certain temperature, the thermostat closes the passage blocking the flow of coolant to the radiator and sends it back to the engine.
Start your car`s engine and allow it to idle. Look through the radiator filler neck to see if the coolant flows. At this time, it should not be flowing as your car has not reached the operating temperature to cause the thermostat to open. If you find the coolant is flowing, it means the thermostat valve is open.
It gets even more concerning and confusing when car overheating suddenly returns to normal. This phenomenon can happen for many reasons, like a bad thermostat, a faulty radiator, or a coolant leak. As such, it`s best to get your car checked by a professional— like RepairSmith!
This is a common indication that something is wrong with the cooling system. It could be the result of a faulty radiator, a faulty thermostat, or other related problems. This problem can severely limit the vehicle`s functionality due to the engine`s poor performance.
An overheating engine may also be a symptom of a malfunctioning fuel pump. A bad fuel pump may overheat and inadequately deliver gas to the engine, causing it to run hot and turn off while on the road.
Fill the pump with water and attach a vacuum gauge to the suction port. Remove the discharge hose and start the pump. Move the throttle to fast. The gauge should read at least 20 inch Hg.
The most common complaints are all obvious, and all involve wastewater. A common complaint is that the water in the washing machine drum will not drain, or that the washing machine has stopped mid-cycle with it still full of water.
Drinking cool liquids like water or iced tea can help reduce body temperature by cooling the body internally. The regular intake of fluids can also prevent dehydration, which can increase body heat.
One of the first things you will notice is the temperature gauge is higher than normal. It may even start to fluctuate frequently. If you notice the gauge is hovering ¾ of the way from the top, then your thermostat is experiencing damage in the form of overheating. This can soon lead to your engine and car overheating.
No power: If the thermostat isn`t working at all, there could be a power issue. Try checking the circuit breaker box or replacing the batteries. Bad wiring: The thermostat may be unresponsive if the wiring has gone bad. Remove the cover and check inside for loose, detached, or corroded wires.
Standard thermostats: Enlist a friend or family member to assist, Position one person by the thermostat and one person by the furnace. Slowly turn the thermostat from off to heat and increase the temperature. Both the thermostat and furnace should make a sound.
Overheating can be caused by a: Cooling system leak – This is the most common cause for a car to overheat. The radiator, hoses, water pump, head gasket, and thermostat housing are all components of the cooling system, and all can be susceptible to leaks.
There`s a leak in your cooling system – Most of the time, a leak in the cooling system is what causes your car to overheat. The radiator, water pump, hoses, thermostat housing, and head gasket are all cooling system components that can cause leaks.
Temperature Sensor Failure
The temperature sensor`s role is to determine the engine`s temperature. If your temperature gauge reads hot but engine cool, it`s likely that you are getting a false measurement. This implies that the temperature sensor is failing or has malfunctioned.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Having an overheating problem with my civic. Changed thermostat and other stuff but still overheating
ANSWER : Hi there. Although this is just a guess, it’s possible that you might have an obstruction in the heater core of your 2004 Honda Civic. Here is a quick way to find out if this is true. When you car is warmed up, turn the heater on full blast (with the AC OFF) and see if you have hot air blowing. If not, this is your problem. If you have warm air coming out of the vents, then I would suspect that your radiator fan motor is the fault or cause of your problem. I would recommend having a professional mechanic come to your location to complete a car is running hotter than normal inspection to help you diagnose the problem first.
My truck is overheating I changed the thermostat and radiator.so why is it still overheating?
ANSWER : If you changed the radiator and thermostat and still overheats due to no coolant circulation then you have a water pump that is not circulating the coolant. The pump fins can get worn off, unable to pump and circulate the coolant. The radiator fan also needs to be checked for proper operation after the pump is replaced.
Car started overheating two days ago. Changed the thermostat and the water pump, still overheating 1998 Chevy Lumina
ANSWER : Hi there – you may still have a problem with a clogged radiator, or the auxiliary cooling fans are not coming on properly. I recommend a engine overheating inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
My 2003 honda civic EX 1.7L is overheating. I replace the thermostat, replace the cooling fan temperature switch, remove the radia
ANSWER : It is likely your engine has a blown head-gasket, worn out water pump or somehow has a huge air bubble inside the engine that needs to be bled. The drop in engine temperature while on the freeway is actually a good sign – it indicates your radiator is getting good coolant flow, and the radiator is doing its job, transferring heat out of the engines cooling system. A YourMechanic certified technician can come to your location to perform a Car is overheating Inspection on your vehicle and help you diagnose and repair this issue.
Gear stuck on park. Brake lights dont turn on. Brake light switch has been changed the problem still remains.
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle is likely having a connection issue somewhere around the switch. Since you have a voltmeter or test light, you will want to test for power leading up to the fuses, and then after the fuses. If you have power when pressing the light after the fuse (this means the power is making it through the fuse), continue to trace that voltage until you find where it stops. This voltage drop is most likely going to be at an electrical connection or terminal, a broken or frayed wire, a faulty switch, or a bad ground connection. Currently the vehicle is in a safety mode, and tracking down the cause of the brake light switch issue needs to be the main focus. For more help resolving the issue, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.
Overheating and boiling out the reservoir.
ANSWER : Hey there. The next thing you need to do is confirm the thermostat is opening and test to see if the radiator is clogged or not. Begin by warming your car up. Don’t drive it, just let it idle or hold it on a high idle. Depending on the ambient temperature, this can take a half hour or more for the thermostat to open. You will know the thermostat is open by touching the upper radiator hose. The hose that comes off of the thermostat housing. When it begins to get hot, the thermostat is opening. The stat will cycle open and closed during the warm up process. A motor is not fully warm until the stat reaches a point of equilibrium. Meaning, it stays open at a constant amount. If your car begins to overheat and the upper radiator hose does not get hot, you will need to figure out what is going on with the thermostat. It could be installed wrong or even bad. I have had new stats be bad several times.
If the stat opens correctly and your car is fully warm, take it for a quick spin around the block. Come back to a stop in your driveway or other parking spot, turn the motor off, key off, open the hood and reach in and touch the radiator from top to bottom and side to side. You are feeling for cold spots. They will be obviously cold in comparison to the rest of the radiator. It is normal for the lower part of the radiator to be colder than the top. That only means the radiator is cooling as it should.
If after doing these two things your car still overheats, it is time to consider head gasket problems. You can use a block tester kit from your local auto parts store or you can book and appointment with us. Testing for head gasket problems can be cumbersome and only experience will allow you to make an accurate determination. I recommend a having an overheating inspection to have this accurately diagnosed and corrected.
I’ve changed my water pump, thermostat, thermostat housing, fan clutch, radiator and my ram is still overheating to about 250 degr
ANSWER : You need to have the cooling system checked to see if there is combustion gases getting in the cooling system, causing it to get hotter than it should. Since you have overheating problems you may have a blown head gasket which would explain the overheating issue. Make sure you topped off your transmission fluid also after the radiator replacement if the transmission cooler is in the radiator. If not, the transmission would be low on fluid and may run hotter than normal. If you need help with these checks, contact a certified mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, to help you diagnose your overheating issue and help you fix it accordingly.
Replaced water pump, radiator and thermostat car is still overheating. What can it be?
ANSWER : I’m sorry to hear about your overheating issues. There are a few possibilities that can cause an engine to overheat. The radiator, water pump, and thermostat are definite possibilities, but there are a few others that are possible also. A faulty cooling fan is the first thing that comes to mind, but it could also be a head gasket issue, clogged coolant passages inside the engine, or faulty radiator hoses. I would first look at the cooling fan and/or the cooling fan switch. It would be necessary to start with a cold engine and check to see if the fan comes on as the engine warms up. Most of the time, you can do a quick check by turning on the air conditioning, as this should signal the fan on also. If this is something you feel you could use a hand in diagnosing/repairing, contact a certified mechanic, like the mobile mechanics at YourMechanic.com.
