Engine is Running Hot?

Tiny
24LANDON
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  • 2005 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
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  • 120,000 MILES
Why is my car running hot only when I am on a steep hill? Thanks
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 AT 7:20 AM

15 Replies

Tiny
F4I_GUY
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It sounds like the radiator is partially clogged but to be sure this guide call find the issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Thursday, June 10th, 2010 AT 4:25 PM
Tiny
FLEWIS99
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My daughters 05 Civic is constantly running hot. She said that it started when she hit a pot hole, doubtful.
I took the over flow reservoir off and cleaned it out since I suspected that she used too much stop leak. I have put in some Prestone Super Flush today. As it idles, the temp goes from normal, to real hot real quick and begins to blow out the reservoir cap, and starts spewing. I drove it for 20 minutes and the temp gauge went to the limit, crept back home and tried to cool it down, eventually turned it off. I hadn't notice the fans running before unless the a/c was on but the fans were running today without the a/c. I bough a new fan switch, but now not sure if that is the problem or not.
Any advice is much appreciated.
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
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The fact that the coolant is spewing out and overflowing is concerning me.

You may have a headgasket issue or a real nasty air lock that is causing the coolant to sit and boil.
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EFER20
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When I start my car, and turn the heater on, the temp in the car rises, to where it is almost red, and the car doesn't heat. I was also having cooling problems, where the car was running hot, but I changed the thermostat, and it doesn't seem to run hot unless I'm standing still for a couple of minutes
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Hi efer20,

Check
1. Coolant level in the radiator.
2. Heater control valve.
3. Radiator fan
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EFER20
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My coolant was down about half a gallon, it's running fine now. I had a pressure test done which was negative. Any reason why it would be down?
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Hi efer20,

After replacement of the thermostat, did you bleed the system?
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EFER20
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I had it done by a garage, I don't know if they bled it or not
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Hi efer20,

If you had done a pressure test and is ok, then most probably they did not bleed it properly. Should be ok now but remember to check the coolant at least for a few more days to confirm there are no losses.
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RALLEN27
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My Honda Civic Lx is running hot what's wrong could the sensor cause the problem
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
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You're most likely low on coolant. There are only two common leaking points on your vehicle. They are your water pump and your headgasket.

I would recommend a pressure test to help pinpoint the problem.
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOE REYES 2010
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Engine is running hotter than normal, temp gauge rise
when car is running, drop down at a red light.
Any thoughts?

Joe
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
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If it's only when you are driving, you may need a new radiator.

If thats not the case check the following:

coolant leaks
thermostat
water pump
headgasket failure
air locks in the system.
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRANDICIVIC
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  • 2000 HONDA CIVIC
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I have a 2000 Honda civic it is running hot and I have rusty water coming from the resavoir and the hoses. I had the radiator flushed and the thermostate changed along with the two hoses that busted had the engine cooling fan changed and the thermostate cap changed. After that The problem went away the rusty looking water went away and the car was running fine. Almost a 3weeks to a month later the rusty water is back and my car is running hot again I keep adding engine coolant and letting it cool off but I don't know what else to do now.
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Hi brandicivic,

If coolant is present, there should not be any rust.

Do you need to top up the coolant at radiator often? If the reserve tank level is either maintained or increasing, the most likely cause of the overheating would be a bad head gasket.

The head gaskets are of the metallic type and when overheating occurs, they seldom fail right away. The gasket is damaged and after a few months only would the problem surface. Get a test done to check if the gasket is bad.
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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 9:42 AM (Merged)

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