terlinguad

Hello,

I am new. I can do basic auto work, but I am not the most experienced, I can find parts if told where to look and shown what to look for. I am truly asking for help. I live in the most remote place in the lower 48, 225 miles one way from a Honda dealer.

My regular local mechanic retired 3 days ago and the backup is out of the country...

My 2001 Civic HX ran over some road debris yesterday - a very unfortunate larger rabbit for which I feel horrible. The rabbit came thru the lower passengers side lowest grill striking the radiator and slightly deforming it as in bending it in a little. No leaks can I see or find.

Some hours later as the day became very hot 100+ and with AC on in city traffic - I was far from home, I noticed the following:

- the fan seemed louder and on allot - maybe the AC caused it? it was at traffic lights mostly.

- I saw at first short temp fluctuations - was watching after the poor creature above

- Drove all day, temp stayed okay, no leaks seen. Towards end of day on way home I stopped for comfort station and came back out and turned car on in high heat and the temp went quickly to red - I was still watching the gauge. I shut it off, lifted the hood, within one minute temp was normal, started car and drove down highway at 72 with AC watching temp and remained okay for many miles.

- stopped again 80 miles later and same issue - temp rose to red when I came back and started it again soon after stopping - it was very hot outside.

Happened a third time after.

The coolant has 65 K on it, the car 162,000. The radiator fins have about a 5"+ by 2" area of blockage from the poor creature I plan to clean off thoroughly. I also plan to change the coolant today, flush the radiator.

I looked last night and the passengers fan was on when the AC was engaged, but the drivers fan was not??? I am not sure why one fan was on and one off?? The one on stopped when I turned off the AC. ??

I am looking for what to do next. I know this car has a thermostat - not sure where exactly. Know it has sensors, same deal, not sure where...

Any easy to follow advice would be greatly appreciated as I am stuck now without mechanical help for a while in the beyond middle of beautiful nowhere.


David

0AFH-Parts

iTrader: (3)

One fan is meant to cool the A/C condensor, the other fan is set to turn on when the thermostat opens in order to cool the radiator.

My professional opinion:

Even if you do not see any leaks, at 165,000 miles with 65,000 miles on your coolant, I would just look into getting a new radiator. Regardless if it seems undamaged, you likely damaged crucial air to air exchanging fins on the radiator core upon impact. This will also give you a chance to look over the radiator shroud and fans in case any of those items became damaged.

If the fan seems a bit louder than normal, it is probably hitting the fan shroud or something of that nature because of the impact.

I can send you a New OEM Honda Radiator for $230 + shipping. Let me know what you'd like to do, and good luck.