1995 Honda Civic overheating

1995 HONDA CIVIC

16,400 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • MANUAL

BO TAVAKOL

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My Honda Civic was running fine until last night when it began to overheat. I have noticed leakage below the radiator, the cooling fan does not turn on (at least I have not seen it do so), and the engine also "heaves" with the tacometer going up and down (between 0-2) while the engine is idling. Do you think this is a head-gasket problem or a fan switch problem or something else? Thanks much!

Mar 1, 2010 at 7:07 PM

BLUELIGHTNIN6

CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
16,542 POSTS

if radiator fan isn't coming on then you need to check fuse and cooling fan relay . also need to inspect the engine oil and coolant levels and see if either seem milky / mixed. is the engine light coming on?

Mar 1, 2010 at 7:31 PM

BO TAVAKOL

MEMBER
1 POST

no, the engine warning light hasn't come on, and neither the oil nor the coolant seem milky. I thought that a hose might be leaking, but it's the up/down heaving of the engine I'm most concerned about (in addition to the overheating). Thanks!

Mar 1, 2010 at 9:03 PM

BLUELIGHTNIN6

CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
16,542 POSTS

the idle issue is pretty common in these hondas and is normally caused by the idle air control valve failing.

Mar 2, 2010 at 10:12 AM

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