2001 Honda Civic overheating

Tiny
ANDY FALCON
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
What can cause my 2001 honda to heat us so bad that the exhaust manufold gets cherry red. I have checked the exhaust system for a blockage and found none. I will run fine for about (15) minutes ans then start to overheat and then it will shut off. I will have to let it cool off before I can drive it again. HELP!
Monday, April 20th, 2009 AT 10:29 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
What is your temperature gauge reading?

Have you done the basic checks, such as checking your coolant level in the radiator and overflow tank, making sure the cooling fan comes on, etc.
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2009 AT 5:27 PM
Tiny
ANDY FALCON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yea I have checked all fulid levels and they are all good. The gauge reads ok and the fan comes on. The check enging and service soon is on. I did put a obd2 scanner on and no codes, now what?
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2009 AT 8:25 PM
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
Well there is a good in there if the check engine light is on. Maybe your code reader was not compatible with the PCM.

Anyways, if the vehicle is not overheating (the gauge remains normal) then your catalytic converter may be plugged causing excess heat in the exhaust manifold.
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 AT 4:38 PM
Tiny
ANDY FALCON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have taken the exhaust system off and checked for obstructions and was unable to find any. Could a oxygen sensor cause this problem?
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Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
No an o2 could not cause this.

Have you had the catalytic convertor flow tested? Or have you have a back-pressure test done (this would be the better diagnostic test to be used to solved this problem).

You may use an actual exhaust pressure gauge, or a vacuum gauge on the intake manifold.
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Friday, April 24th, 2009 AT 5:32 PM

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