1996 Honda Civic Why is my car overheating?

CAREBEAR311

MEMBER
1996 HONDA CIVIC
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
12,000 MILES

Theres no white smoke or white powders or anything, so I dont think its a blown head gasket. But I cant really say for sure. As I know very little about cars. I had a heater hose (could be called something different. The hose that is bent that goes into the engine) replaced as it was cracked and all the my fluids went straight to the ground. It was just replaced a couple days ago.I went to work today which is about a half hour drive. And about 25 minutes into it I notced my gauge getting hotter. It kind of teetered back and forth going from normal to warm and back. Could it be the radiator? Or thermostat? Less than 2 years ago I had 1300 worth of repairs done. It was the radiator and a blown gasket at that time, but it seems to different this time. Again I have no clue. Any suggestions?

5 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Try replacing the thermostat and bleed the cooling system and see what happens-Are the fans coming On?

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Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 AT 3:45 PM

CAREBEAR311

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Yeah the fan is going on. Im starting to wonder if its a sensor for the fan? I dont know. We're replacing the thermostat, which I guess looked old, and seeing what happens. I'll also try bleeding the cooling system. If its a blown head gasket again would it teeter back and forth as I drive? I remember it running completely hot very fast and smoking. But this time theres none of that. Thank you very much for your help!