Hi, my car is running good, its a 99 CIVIC EX. However the temperature gauge lately has been moving back and forth, stays on persistent and the mid line like before, but as I drive, it kinda goes up, and then back down to the Cold side, it tend to go UP faster to the H hot side, if I have the AC on. The gauge almost is almost reaching the HOT indicator on the gauge. I dont see any leaks under the car at all, and the reservoir and radiator is filled with antifreeze. The upper hose is hot, so I assume the coolant is going through. What might the problem be. A mechanic is saying it might be the coolant in it, might have an internal leak, or things like that. My car has 95K miles.
2007-06-26 12:43:02 · 13 answers · asked by albert19lp 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
1. I havent changed the antifreeze, since I brought the car with 50K miles, now has 95K miles.
2. I can hear the fan come and off, specially if Iam parked, so I assume the radiator fan is working ok.
3. Can having an old antifreeze with rust or slight oil cause these problems, I took a look at the reservoir tank and looks a little oily, like shiny light green.
4. Iam having my timing belt, water pump, and driver belts changed since Iam do for it, If the thermostat is bad, or temp gauge sensor bad, should the mechanic charge me for this little work.
5. Is cooling system powerflush better, than fill and drain antifreeze, he told me that service cost $85 in Newark, NJ where I live. He feels its the thermostat, sensor or just old dirty antifreeze might be the problem from what i describe, but I have to take the car to him next week for him to let me know.
Thanks a lot everybody!
2007-06-26 15:35:41 · update #1
could be your thermostat, fairly cheap to replace.
2007-06-26 12:49:22 · answer #1 · answered by Mike L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best way to check for an internal coolant leak is to pull the oil dipstick out and inspect it. If it has an appearance similar to coffee with creamer added, then coolant is getting into the crankcase. Have the cooling system pressure tested. The AC puts an additional load on the engine so naturally the temperature of the engine is going to increase. Are the electric cooling fans working? There should be two, (one for the coolant, the other for the AC). If the coolant is more than a couple years old it's time to have the system flushed and filled with fresh antifreeze. The symptoms you mentioned that the temp gauge moves up and down while driving...sounds like the fans are not working...as long as the car isn't moving it will increase in temperature but cool as you get some wind flowing under the hood.
2007-07-01 17:52:18 · answer #2 · answered by havetowait 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear Hot Honda-
I just answered a similar question for a 97 Toyota Camary. You just might check that answer section out. Too many folks condemn the Radiator or Water Pump before taking a look at some other parts.
However, in your case, if you have checked all of the levels here is a couple of tricks that you can try.
Open the lid on your reservior bottle, if you have the top open and the suction straw still down in the coolant do you see bubbles? If Yes, then you may have a blown head gasket, this same thing can be done by taking the radiator cap off the vehicle and starting the engine while its COLD!!! This can be a little messy so you might want to place a catch pan under the car.
Check your thermal switches to be sure the fans are cutting on properly. Check the Gauge Sensor to be sure that its not getting a false reading, (replacing it normally answers that question).
But before you do anything, be sure to read that other section I just wrote.
Good luck.
2007-06-26 20:41:25 · answer #3 · answered by Teknoman Saber 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is most likley the water pump or the thermostat,sometimes you can have a air bubble in the system that causes this problem,But if you are replaceing the timing belt and water pump like you said then it should be fine after that
2007-07-03 14:38:10 · answer #4 · answered by J22401 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First....flush the system, antifreeze needs to be changed occaisonally. Second, does that fix the problem? No?, you may need to have the radiator rodded or replaced. Also, food advice given here about the switches and so forth. What is the temp where you are driving??
2007-07-01 17:02:54 · answer #5 · answered by James C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your ratio of water to antifreeze inside of your radiator is not correct then you could be seeing cooling problems in the current warm weather. Also your pump could be going.
If you drive around too much on an overheated engine you can warp the block and cause serious damage.
2007-06-26 19:54:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The coolant may be old and needs to be flushed out. If you had an internal leak then you would be losing anitfreeze, which you stated are not, so that isn't the problem. I would also start the vehicle and see if the electric fan is turning on when the engine is hot.
2007-06-26 19:50:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It could be all of the above or none but I'm curious I'd like to know what you finally figure this is' Sometimes when you try to fix stuff you re[place every part except the one that's causing the problem. I've done this an it was a night mare. GOOD LUCK
2007-07-03 22:18:59 · answer #8 · answered by chris 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The thermostat is starting to mess up, it is time to replace the thermostat . It is only a few dollars, and a good place to start. While you are it, go ahead and change the anti-freeze with new stuff. good luck.
2007-06-26 19:56:54 · answer #9 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sounds like your thermostat is going bad. I won't be the coolant itself...just not possible if it's topped off and not leaking you should replace the thermostat.
inexpensive and easy to replace.
2007-06-26 19:51:53 · answer #10 · answered by Kenneth S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's most likely your thermostat you can get a new one for 15 bucks.
2007-07-04 01:38:55 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋