2002 Honda Civic Overheating

MATTHEWMLLS

MEMBER
2002 HONDA CIVIC
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
185,000 MILES

I started the car this morning to warm it up it ran for about 20 to 25 min. When I came back out it was over heating and steam was coming from the lower right front of the engine compartment. I dont know if this will help but just recently my heater doesnt work until I get down the road a few miles.

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 AT 8:41 AM

2 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi Matthewmlls,

The steam from the engine indicates coolant is leaking somewhere and you need visually check for the leaks or get a pressure test done. From the area of the steam coming out, most probably the water pump is leaking.

When engine is cold, remove the radiator cap and check the coolant level, I believe it should be low or empty.

Insufficient coolant in system would cause the heater to work erratically.

If you top up the coolant, do not close the radiator cap first.

Turn heater to max and run engine. Top up the radiator if the level drops until it stabilises. Hope you have not damaged the head gasket yet.

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Thursday, December 31st, 2009 AT 11:38 AM

BLUE1128

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I'm not a mechanic myself but I saw my father trying to fix the same problem. What he did was turn off the engine and wait for it to cool and let the temperature go down. After that he puts water in the radiator and the car is okay and ready for travel.

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Friday, January 1st, 2010 AT 4:45 AM