Running hot.

[Kourt]

Alright, I have a 98 honda civic HX with a recently purchased motor from pacific engines. It has a new timing belt, water pump, thermostat and all that stuff. Randomly it will just start running hot, I may be at a red light when its 95 outside or doing 65-70 on a back road when its 50 outside. If I turn the car off for a for minutes and let it get down to normal temp it will start up and be fine. I'm thinking it could still be the thermostat, maybe its not opening up all the way. What does everyone else think???

[d16_turbo]

if it does it when you stop your fan may not be working. if the fan is working just take the thermostat out for a day and see if it over heats. is it losing any coolant?

[Master Shake]

if it does it when you stop your fan may not be working. if the fan is working just take the thermostat out for a day and see if it over heats. is it losing any coolant? i think with the themostat being out it might start running hot when at idle.

[d16_turbo]

it wont

[Kourt]

Ive let it just sit before and the fan came on. Unless its just got a short and dont always come on. But last night when it ran hot it was cool outside and i was going 65 on a open road, so that alone would have cooled it down even without the fan.

[d16_turbo]

yea that would cool it down i would check the thermostat

[moses187]

i think with the themostat being out it might start running hot when at idle.
no it wont.the t-stat just allows the coolant to come in when it gets hot enough.with the t-stat out the coolant will just constantly run through,no big deal.thats take the t-stat out and see if it is stuck.or maybe you got one that would only come on at 200degrees or something crazy like that.

[Turbodude06]

My car did that two when i first put my motor in, but it says it was hot as shit and I could put my hand on the valve cover and it was just starting to get warm, so I had to burp the system as they call it, your coolant system can have an air pocket in it and makes either the gauge read weird or the coolant not flow threw the engine... So make sure its not the thermostate, just get a new one their not that expensive, put that in their and unscrew the little peck cock thing on the bottom of all radiators and just flush the system with water for a while and that should get all the air out if thats the problem, but first make sure your fans kick on and I would just buy a new thermostate if you havn't already.....

[Kourt]

Alright bump this thread cause after this I put a new thermostat in and it did GREAT. And the fan comes on so thats not the issue. I rode around macon red light to red light in 95 degree weather and went to atlanta for the varsity meet and it was good to go till I got half way home from the meet it started running hot. I put a new thermostat in it and so far its doing good again. I flushed out the radiator yesterday. I dont know if its the actual new thermostat being put in(cause the old one looks fine and still opens up when I push on it) Or if its releasing pressure or something. When I put the new one in it I let it run for a few mins past normal temp to get the air out, I dont know what else to do but its pissing me off!!

[Turbodude06]

I'm not trying to act like a smart ass but make sure u put it in the right way I had a friend of mine do that and just didn't realize it......

[cactusEG]

maybe ur radiator

[Kourt]

Rounded part out, the springs go in. Right???


I'm not trying to act like a smart ass but make sure u put it in the right way I had a friend of mine do that and just didn't realize it......


I just flushed it out yesterday and havent drove it but 20 mile since. We'll see. But why would a new thermo help it??


maybe ur radiator

[Evil Goat]

lol @ CC...i graduated from CC in 2000...still have some family that attends the high/middle schools

i think you need to burp the system...sounds like air pocket goodness to me

how are you getting the airpockets out? theres a specific way to burp a honda motor

just in case you dont know, let the car get up to operating temp, then open the nipple circled in this pic....tighten the nipple back down once you get a steady stream of coolant w/ no air bubbles mixed in

[d16_turbo]

and if that doesnt work change the water pump........ i saw this car in macon somewhere i think it was on zebulon rd

[Benefit]

did you bleed the system

[koukis14]

But why would a new thermo help it??

WOW ok the thermostat opens when the coolant gets to a certain temp. If the thermostat is not opening or weak it will restrict flow. DO NOT RUN YOUR CAR WITHOUT ONE!

[koukis14]

Does the mesh where an intercooler should go in your body kit allow any air to pass through??

[d16_turbo]

DO NOT RUN YOUR CAR WITHOUT ONE!

it wont hurt anything if he does

[Kourt]

lol @ CC...i graduated from CC in 2000...still have some family that attends the high/middle schools

i think you need to burp the system...sounds like air pocket goodness to me

how are you getting the airpockets out? theres a specific way to burp a honda motor

just in case you dont know, let the car get up to operating temp, then open the nipple circled in this pic....tighten the nipple back down once you get a steady stream of coolant w/ no air bubbles mixed in

Yeah lol @ cc haha. I didnt go to the school but its pretty redneck around here.

Thanks, I guess ill try that next time it messes up.





and if that doesnt work change the water pump........ i saw this car in macon somewhere i think it was on zebulon rd

The water pump is only 2 months old.... And yeah it was probably zebulon..





WOW ok the thermostat opens when the coolant gets to a certain temp. If the thermostat is not opening or weak it will restrict flow. DO NOT RUN YOUR CAR WITHOUT ONE!

WOW Okay I'm glad you wasted your time telling me something I already know. I was asking, IF it were the radiator, why would putting a new thermostat in it. READING something before you reply never hurt anyone.





Does the mesh where an intercooler should go in your body kit allow any air to pass through??

Again, another dumbass reply. Find some MESH that doesnt allow air to pass through, i may be a female but I'm smart enough to know not to block my cars air flow. Thanks for your help though :goodjob:

[AnthonyF]

WOW ok the thermostat opens when the coolant gets to a certain temp. If the thermostat is not opening or weak it will restrict flow. DO NOT RUN YOUR CAR WITHOUT ONE!


agreed. I hate these kno-it-nothings. make sure there are no air pockets in ur system.

either ur buying shitty as t-stats or ur waterpump isn't very good. Is ur radiator new? used? clogged up?

[Kourt]

The radiator is not new, its the one that has always been on the car, I flushed it out and if it messes up again I'm gonna have it checked out or something.. Whats a cheap thermostat opposed to a normal one?? All thermostats are "cheap"

[Benefit]

hondaracecar, instead of trying to be a little rebel why dont you rule out the obvious first , did you bleed the coolant?

[Kourt]

I'm not trying to be a rebel, but ok. Heres the whole story summed up.
I have a motor I purchased from Pacific Motors about 3 months ago. It has all new everything like water pump, seals, timing belt and all that stuff. It ran hot one time and it WAS the thermostat (I know for sure that time). I had a new one put in and a few weeks later it started running hot again. Everyone said I probably had bought a bad thermostat so I put another in it. It did GREAT for 5 days then it started again. I just went ahead and put another thermostat in it to get home that day cause I knew that would fix it and it was fine once again, the next day I flushed out the radiator and so far its doing good, but we'll see in a few more days. Everyone has told me to make sure I burp the system, so I did what I was told and let it run for a little while with the cap off. All I'm asking is if this does not work, what else could it be?? And If you say, its the head or its the radiator or something PLEASE explain why a new thermostat would fix it for a few days.

[s13slider®]

you can let it run for a while but it might also have a bleeding vavle that will help yo uout much more . i didnt read this whole thread but what kinda car and what motor is in it ?

[Kourt]

Okay, I have pictures. I dont see a bleeding valve. But if you spot one, circle it for me please. And another thing I just found out. my reserve keeps backing up or something. It was at the max line yesterday, and now its allllllll the way to the top.
http://i14.tinypic.com/6fgtzme.jpg
Top radiator hose into motor
http://i15.tinypic.com/52nbrqu.jpg
Thermostat housing
http://i13.tinypic.com/6ag8oly.jpg
http://i13.tinypic.com/6f75shi.jpg

[koukis14]

Replace the thermostat, if it does not fix it it could be more serious. I can't diagnose a car sitting in a chair on the other side of town. Buy a fucking repair manual and some tools and get your hands dirty. Oh and you car is ugly as fuck.

[Kourt]

Replace the thermostat, if it does not fix it it could be more serious. I can't diagnose a car sitting in a chair on the other side of town. Buy a fucking repair manual and some tools and get your hands dirty. Oh and you car is ugly as fuck.

I've replaced the thermostat 3 times, so I guess it DOES take a genious (or maybe just someone with a little common sense) to know that it is more serious. I didn't ask YOU to "diagnose" it, I was simply wanting to see what EVERYONE that wanted to reply thought it could be. I just took a shower, but I might bust out the 10mm and work on it tomorrow. Oh and, I'm glad you like it!! Your oppinion does matter, keep on and someone might care about it. I'm not on here to argue with anyone, but keep on if you wish.

[Formally...]

First, it sounds like you tried about everything to fix it. Have you changed the radiator CAP. I have seen cars that have a bad cap and that caused them to overheat. As far as bleeding the system, since you car has no "bleeder" (which I never use anyways) you need to open the radiator cap when the car is cold, fill up the radiator and start the car. TURN ON THE HEATER (alot of people forget this and get air pockets in the heater core), let the car warm up until you hear the fan come on. You will need to keep the radiator completely full actually letting it overflow most of the time. Once the fan comes on put the cap back on and fill the overflow. Hope that helps.

One last thing, when the car is completely cold, like first thing in the morning, check how much water/coolant is in the overflow, maybe mark it with a marker. Then a few days later check it again when the car is cold again. This will tell you if you are loosing coolant and that means different problems. Let us know. Later.

[Kourt]

Alright, I guess it wont hurt to try that. Thanks! And the reserve is never empty, it actually backs up, its completly full right now, way over the max line. It was at the max line cause I dumped it out the other day, and then after driving it about 60 miles it was filled up.


First, it sounds like you tried about everything to fix it. Have you changed the radiator CAP. I have seen cars that have a bad cap and that caused them to overheat. As far as bleeding the system, since you car has no "bleeder" (which I never use anyways) you need to open the radiator cap when the car is cold, fill up the radiator and start the car. TURN ON THE HEATER (alot of people forget this and get air pockets in the heater core), let the car warm up until you hear the fan come on. You will need to keep the radiator completely full actually letting it overflow most of the time. Once the fan comes on put the cap back on and fill the overflow. Hope that helps.

One last thing, when the car is completely cold, like first thing in the morning, check how much water/coolant is in the overflow, maybe mark it with a marker. Then a few days later check it again when the car is cold again. This will tell you if you are loosing coolant and that means different problems. Let us know. Later.

[Formally...]

Does the overflow have any signs of oil in it? Also, does the car have plenty of power or does it feel weak? If the overflow keeps filling up then I would check for a possible blown headgasket and you are pressurizing the cooling system. Do all the spark plugs look the same? Later.

[Kourt]

I just got home and it started running hot just a little, i turned the heat on for like 2 seconds and it went down and it was fine after that. I havent checked the spark plugs yet, but theres no sign of oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil. The car feels just the same as it always has. Never had plenty of power with a D16 :) haha

[Evil Goat]

Does the overflow have any signs of oil in it? Also, does the car have plenty of power or does it feel weak? If the overflow keeps filling up then I would check for a possible blown headgasket and you are pressurizing the cooling system. Do all the spark plugs look the same? Later.

my thoughts exactly, i blew a head gasket on a turbo z6 a few years ago, no oil mixing, but it would pressurize the coolant system and blow coolant out of the resevoir

[Turbodude06]

Replace the thermostat, if it does not fix it it could be more serious. I can't diagnose a car sitting in a chair on the other side of town. Buy a fucking repair manual and some tools and get your hands dirty. Oh and you car is ugly as fuck.

Damn that guys a dick:2up: .... Hope u figure your problem out listen to Main Stream:goodjob:

[dBlockinc]

man i went through all of this a year ago and come to find out i had blown the head gasket. i never had oil and water mix so the obvious signs were not there, but your car is doing the exact same thing mine was doing. i know that u hate to hear a possible head gasket on a new engine good luck!

[Kourt]

I looked up head gaskets online an they're not that exspensive, but how much does it usually cost to get one put in? Thanks for all of yalls help!

[Evil Goat]

changing a head gasket isnt that big of a deal, i wouldnt recommend someone doing it unless they have some more serious mechanical experience other than changing tstats...

most of the time when changing it you will want to have the head milled by a machine shop...but i would guess that without milling it might be a 1 hour job, 2 tops

[Professor X]

I know that a lot of people have suggested bleeding the system with a bleeder valve but there are some honda engines without one. My car was overheating all of a sudden this week. I pulled the radiator cap while the engine was cool and let the engine run watching the coolant. I ended up having air in the system. Just let the car run with the cap off until there are no more bubbles coming up. It might take a while. You may even have to add coolant at some point. I hope that helps.

[Kourt]

Okay, so if I get a pressure checker for the radiator and it builds good pressure(what its supossed to be) and holds it for like 20 mins or something then it's probably not the head or gasket right??

[Evil Goat]

i gotta be honest, youre borderline just needing to take it somewhere and have it diagnosed, you have to figure out what the cost of guessing, buying tools, and part after part is -vs- the cost of paying a shop to tell you what the problem is

[Kourt]

Yeah I'm pretty much looking for someone to replace the head gasket now. Thanks for everyones help, and if you know someone that will do a good job let me know!!!!!


i gotta be honest, youre borderline just needing to take it somewhere and have it diagnosed, you have to figure out what the cost of guessing, buying tools, and part after part is -vs- the cost of paying a shop to tell you what the problem is

[Professor X]

I have to agree with MR.org. At this point you are losing time and potentially money by not having an accurate diagnosis. The problem with just replacing the headgasket is that you have yet to identify what potentially caused the gasket to blow. Most diagnosis at a dealer only costs $49.95. That would be a lot cheaper and faster. Take it to honda and tell them your problem. Let them do the diagnosis and then go from there.

[koukis14]

. Most diagnosis at a dealer only costs $49.95. That would be a lot cheaper and faster.

JESUS CHRIST VW's diag rate is more than twice that. Is that the hourly labor rate too or just a flat diag rate??

[koukis14]

Damn that guys a dick
Thank you I try. How much HP do those headlight covers add anyway?

[jadakid88]

Yeah I'm pretty much looking for someone to replace the head gasket now. Thanks for everyones help, and if you know someone that will do a good job let me know!!!!!
i know a perfect mechanic replace you headgasket for you. his # is 404-957-4985 (Damon) just tell him Cortland told you about him.

[coolZero]

I read most of the post but not all - I've had this happen on my car and it drove me crazy - after u changed the stat - have you run the heater yet? it might be vapor lock - sound like what happened to me - can't hurt to try

[Professor X]

JESUS CHRIST VW's diag rate is more than twice that. Is that the hourly labor rate too or just a flat diag rate??


I work at Toyota and we only charge 1/2 hour for diagnosis up front which ends up being 49.95. If the customer agrees to the work, the diagnosis fee is subtracted from the labor. The labor rate is close $100 per hour.

[Marta Mike]

Ok im a tech for Acura so heres what i suggest.

1. Find you a snapon or matco guy, they may even sell them at normal auto parts stores but i dont know. Find one and buy a coolant funnel. Drain the coolant. Put the plug back in. Attach the funnel to the radiator and pour in coolant till the funnel is full. Start the car, let it run for say 10 minutes. With the car running, plug the funnel (comes with the plug) and remove it and replace radiator cap. Use remaining coolant to fill the resivoir. This is how I replace coolant on all services and NO air pockets. Technically its burping the system.

2. Drive the car see what happens.

3. If it persists replace the thermo with OEM honda part if you havent already. Id go ahead and replace the radiator cap as well while you there.

4. If you still have problems your gonna get deeper into diagnosis and being your far away I cant tell you where to go from there, bc theres two different directions you can go. But if you do have skill or even aptitude to fix your car, pick up a service manual...A REAL ONE, and follow its trouble shooting procedures. This is your best bet. Bc asking online you will never get ONE solid answer from anyone.

[koukis14]

I work at Toyota and we only charge 1/2 hour for diagnosis up front which ends up being 49.95. If the customer agrees to the work, the diagnosis fee is subtracted from the labor. The labor rate is close $100 per hour.
Thats how we are at VW but we charge an hour and our labor rate is $103.