ok srry to keep bringin this up but its so funny. ok my car 98 civic dx overheats. its been doin this for awhile i top off the coolant on the radiator and that other thing but anyways after i top it off and start driving for a lil while the temp gage goes up i mean to the red it did it this morning after work and i serviced it to the top 2. but b4 this i have taken to 3 i mean 3 diferent places and they keep telling different stuff like the thermostat. well one guy told me that so i changed it same problem came back and the funny part is that they keep saying nothing is wrong they dont find anything wrong. i was like wow so its just me then . thats 3 diferent shops that say NOTHING is wrong but i know cause i see the dam gage go all the way up!! im not crazy either i get tired cause all these shops call ur selfs mechs and cant find a dam easy problem??!! im srry but it gets annoying saying nothing is wrong when i know there is.
could the gage be broken or something???? or how the hell could i fix this problem ??? thanks
2007-02-07 04:14:12 · 9 answers · asked by the_only85 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Well you shouldn't top off the radiator unless you have dumped the coolant. Just keep the overflow bottle filled to the marker. If the engine is low on coolant, after you shut it off, and as it cools it will suck in as much coolant as it needs. IF there is too much then the radiator cap, pressure release, opens and lets the extra coolant go into the overflow bottle.
You say you top it off... do you have to do this often? Have you had the system pressure tested to INCLUDE the radiator cap. Maybe the cap is bad and not allowing the coolant system to build enough pressure. This will also adversely affect the temperature?
When the car overheats, turn your heater up to max and the fan to max.. .does the temperature start to come down? If so sounds like the radiator is either plugged inside or the cooling fins are filled with deadbugs and dirt and not allowing enough air to pass.
2007-02-07 04:22:01 · answer #1 · answered by shovelkicker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You Didn't Say How Long It Took To Overheat But It Could Be The Head Gasket. How To Check Remove Radiator Cap Start Engine Check Radiator To See If Bubbles In Coolant Or Coolant Pumps Out Of Radiator Do This When Engine Is Cold
2007-02-07 06:57:35 · answer #2 · answered by dinkster 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First see if the rad fan is working when the engine is hot. That should be going even when you turn off the car. It is an electrical motor and runs off the battery...until the engine is cool enuf. If it isn't running you have a burnt out fuse for the rad fan. Check the fuse box.
There is no blockage in front of the radiator( a sheet of paper or a ton of leaves???
Ask about a "blown head gasket". If they say thermostat again, then tell them to take out the thermostat and leave it out. The car will work just fine without a thermostat.....if it still overheats, it is the head gasket.
2007-02-07 04:26:39 · answer #3 · answered by ButwhatdoIno? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow!
Ease up on the coffee a little....
If you live in below freezing temperatures and you don't have the right mix of Anifreeze and water in it, the water in the radiator WILL freeze and block the hot water from the engine from getting to it.
Does it leak anywhere?
2007-02-07 04:22:05 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
could be a few things...
I would start with the cheap things...
like checking for leaks.. which sounds like you have already done..
then I would check to see what is cheaper.. a new thermastate of pressure test the rad.
i would bet the termastate is bad.. you might even if the shop says it is ok ask them to replace it anyway.. it maybe sticking just some of the time
2007-02-07 04:28:12 · answer #5 · answered by Larry M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you cna get a bad thermostat, i have been there, also if you use the orange coolent you could need to have your radiator pluged. you may need to have to get it cleaned or replaced, been there too.
also while you enging is cold take off your rad. cap and let your car warm. watch for bubbles. you could have a blown head gasket.
also check you oil for water. ( it will be white spots in your oil).
good luck
2007-02-10 19:22:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like your thermostat. Yes you can buy a bad t-stat.
Check your radiator, hoses, reservoir, (thats that "other thing") for leaks. Also check your oil. If you have antifreeze in your oil, it's over.......................
I say this, because you should not have to keep refilling your antifreeze all the time.....
2007-02-07 04:27:37 · answer #7 · answered by mark c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure it is really overheating, like boiling, producing steam etc. ? It could well be either the gauge or, more likely, its sender.
Mind you, that's easily tested, I'm surprised they seemingly didn't bother.
2007-02-07 04:23:55 · answer #8 · answered by champer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first of all.........let,s be sure it is in fact overheating........there are 2 temperature sender,s.......one for your Gage......& one for your computer........if you were actually overheating your computer would give you a check engine light......if it hasnt ...have your sensor changed.......if it has......find a certified mechanic.
2007-02-07 04:43:30 · answer #9 · answered by slipstream 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋