'94 Civic overheating (help!) - Follow-up

Well, got an OEM Thermostat for $20, and a gallon of Honda pre-mix coolant,
and headed south for an hour drive to my son's college.

When I got there, the book threw me a curve, as the lower hose actually went
to the thermostat housing, so when I had him check the hose temp, he was
checking the wrong one.

Opened the radiator cap, and it was wet, but no coolant in site.

Removed the coupler going into the thermostat housing and jumpered with a
paperclip and the fan ran (whew!). Still looking like thermostat, so
removed the housing (didn't even have to remove the hose). Popped the new
thermostat in and put about 1/2 gallon of coolant in the radiator. Started
car and let idle. Temp held steady. Had him take a five minute drive, and
when he came back, let it idle for 10+ minutes. Never got hotter than mid
guage. Never got hot enough to kick the fan on so not sure if that switch
has a problem, but he said the heat jumped up in a matter of minutes last
night.

So, new thermostat and coolant top-off stopped the over heating. What
bothers me is there was coolant all over the ground from the night before
when he said it got to the red line. Is this possibly just the blow off
from over heating? We checked again and again and could see no leaks. We
drove it into town, had dinner and then back to the house and no problems.

I left him the other 1/2 gallon of coolant just in case. I'm keeping my
fingers crossed

Thanks for all the input from everyone.

G-Man

 

=====================

You said...

Make sure your boy understands that he has to keep the reservoir
half-full. It may appear to lose coolant the first couple of times he
drives it, as air burps out.

Your coolant was so low the sensors weren't immersed, so they weren't
turning the fans on. It's pretty basic 'owner's manual' stuff, now,
finding out if there's still a leak will be important, especially if
it's leaking out the water pump.

'Curly'


=================

 

Have a rag or a piece of newspapers placed underneath the car overnight and
see if there's still any coolant leaking. If the thermostat was really bad
as to not let any coolant passby the pressure from the water pump could've
forced a leak somewhere along the way.

I don't think you'll be having any problems though.

Good job!

--Viktor