dem0nk1d

Lately I've noticed the water temp riding a little higher than normal. So here are my symptoms and this is why i think it's either the head gasket failing or possibly the water pump.

1.) Water temp is reading higher than normal.
2.) Heater takes a while to warm up
3.) Popped off the radiator cap after a 15 min ride in the cold *** morning to work and barely any back pressure when i released the car. Usually you would do this and a eruption of water would come out.

Oil looks fine, coolant looks like it has no oil in it at all. So far without testing i'm quite confused.

Engine: d15b7

95exstocker

id suspect the waterpump taking a dump just since you have little to no pressure taking cap off.

I would first make sure you have no pockets of air in the system. Run car up to OT with rad cap off u actually want the fan to come on. Then watch radiator, cap off, and see if you have any bubbles coming up, oh yeah have the heat on too no blower tho. If you have any pockets they will burp their way out add fluid and top off reservoir to max level.

Do you see any smoke out the exhaust especially first thing in the morning?

dem0nk1d

no smoke that i know of, i don't notice it at all because it's so Flipping cold. I will test this later on tonight when i roll out to the local car meeting. I too suspect the water pump.

95exstocker

while its running rad cap on you can squeeze the hose and see if its building pressure...are u loosing fluid in rad or overflo dripping fluid under water pump? I'd do the timing belt to if you do the pump cause no time better.

dem0nk1d

replaced water pump and timing belt today, still showing high temps on gauge suspect warp'd head, or failing gasket. old water pump was in perfect cond.

delsolo95

my guess, if it takes a while to warm up the thermostat is stuck open, any leaks?, pressure check the system

motegicivic

Does it always run hot or just sometimes, does it happen all the time or just running or just idle or both? with my car it happens like every 3 weeks after a long run.


Run the car to temp without cap on, see if you see a ton of bubbles.

Also, block test it.

Also pressure test to make sure you are not losing coolant somewhere and that is causing it to run hot.

ssmtyper

you could have a blown head gasket water galley to combustion... would smoke when WARM after them opens.... your water pump has little to do with the sytem building pressure, most of the pressure is created by heat... i suspect you are low on coolant, it explains all the symptoms... but WHY are you low is the worry, like i said probably slowly burning it off from a blown HG from water galley to combustion chamber

DropItLowEJ2

i had the same problem it ended up being my thermostat and coolant fan switch

motegicivic

With yours, did it only happen at idle?

Linked

do a compression test and if it passes, THEN you can start thinking what else in the cooling system can it be

zoepmp

id change the thermostat, check the coolant hoses in the bay, and make sure the radiator fan is running fast enough or at all. Could also be a bad switch that doesn't cut the radiator on. Check

dem0nk1d

the thermostat was changed, i will need to get a radiator pressure tester which would be something to add to the tool box, and a block tester for combustion fumes in the coolant.

but not today..... broke...

I'll end up getting a new head when or if i decide the head gasket will it needs to be replaced. The previous owner decide to cross thread the number 4 cylinder's spark plug like an idiot. So i really feel with this engine i'm going to run it till it dies...

dem0nk1d

Actually can i run a tap through that fu__ked up spark plug hole while it's on the block. i figure i can load the tap with a little grease to catch any metal shavings... what do you think?

apexi_rsx

ITS possible just take ur time go little by little

dem0nk1d

so yesterday while on my lunch break at work, i pulled the thermostat for a goof to see what would happen on the ride home without it in the engine. Well let me tell you, massive bubbles while warming up with the radiator cap off, temps do not climb as fast as it did with it in, but still hits a high temp. I'm still leaning towards the head gasket failing. I've notice a oil leak under the dizzy, the o-ring was replaced 4-6months ago, and looks to be come from the head.. Oh well....

I really need to get my a$$ to the store and buy one of the engine combustion gas testers for the radiator. i think i will be picking up a SOHC Vtec head soon and rocking the mini-setup.

motegicivic

Without the thermostat still running hot.

Could be a clog in the system.

You said you did the radiator?

dem0nk1d

I have not had time to flush out the radiator yet, that maybe something i do tomorrow morning. hook the garden hose and let it rip.

About the radiator i was talking about the head gasket tester kit that you hookup on top of the radiator and it test for combustible gasses. **Block Tester**

http://www.blockchek.com/instructions.htm

The car is my daily beater, and being broke doesn't help either. The wife has been out of work since April of 2011, no unemployment or anything. So i really don't have the cash to spend like i once had.

motegicivic

Save some money, rent a block tester and pressure tester at Autozone.