1987 Honda Civic Cooling system problems

Tiny
MOFO08
  • MEMBER
  • 1987 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 250,000 MILES
This 1987 honda civic has been sitting for the last 9 years, and we just recently fixed it to run. In that process we replaced starter, clutch, water pump, timing belt, and others. It ran fine for a couple months. Then it started overheating and noticed that there was a big hole rusted out of the radiator. We proceded to replace the radiator, and flushed the cooling sytem. Then it worked fine for about a year after that. Then it started heating up again. We tryed everything. We checked the thermal switch(b/c) the fan never kicked on. It was fine. Then we replaced the thermostat because it seems like it was getting stuck. We also replaced the upper and lower hoses. We ended up removing, putting in new antifreeze, and flushing it like 6 or 7 times through the whole process. We tried bleeding it as well, but no luck. After we bled it the first time, the heater work for a little bit right away, but then started spitting out cold air again. We have tried everything we think. Any suggestions of what we can do? I am desperate. It is really making me mad, and I cant figure it out. Thanks a lot guys!
Sunday, December 30th, 2007 AT 9:49 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
You might want to take a look at your water pump again, but first change your thermostat and make sure it is facing the proper way.

Are both heater core hoses hot? Just one? Or none?

Please post back what you find.
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Sunday, December 30th, 2007 AT 10:11 PM
Tiny
MOFO08
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Yes, I know I put the thermostat in the right way! I checked it and checked it again. And the top hose is hot and the bottom hose is cold. Correct?
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Sunday, December 30th, 2007 AT 10:21 PM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
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How about the heater core hoses are both hot or none?
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Sunday, December 30th, 2007 AT 10:28 PM
Tiny
MOFO08
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Yup, they are both hot I believe! So I dont know
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Sunday, December 30th, 2007 AT 10:36 PM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
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Ok I have a question, is your problem the car is overheating or is it that you have no heat in the car?
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Sunday, December 30th, 2007 AT 10:38 PM
Tiny
MOFO08
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BOTH! It overheats(fan never turns on) we have bypassed the switch, used a torch to get it hot, switch works, but we think its not circulating correctly or somethin. Plus there is no heat in the car either. Does that help?
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Sunday, December 30th, 2007 AT 10:54 PM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
For the overheating: if it wasnt circulating the bottom radiator hose would be hot and the upper hose would be cold, it wouldnt hurt taking off the water pump and checking the impellers on it, they like to disentigrate, and with the fan not turning on its either a bad coolant temp sensor or relay and you should fix that, that should stop the overheating.

With the no heat inside you said both heater core hoses are hot. Well in that case the heater core is getting sufficent flow and is not plugged so you should suspect bad ducts, you will have to loosen the dash or remove it to get to them and check to see if the blend door is moving or not.
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Monday, December 31st, 2007 AT 10:01 AM

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