1996 Honda Civic Why is my car overheating?

Tiny
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?
Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 AT 3:41 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
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
Tiny
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!
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Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 AT 3:51 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do the CTS and thermostat then get back
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Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 AT 4:11 PM
Tiny
CAREBEAR311
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Changed he thermostat. I went and ran it for about 30 minutes, and it didnt overheat but now, when im in idle, the heater blows cooler air than when im accelerating. Lol so confusing.
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Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Bleed the system -make sure its filled and check the heater core if its clogged-up. You're definitely making progress.
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Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 AT 8:53 PM

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