Thatfrogguy71

Hello, I have a 2002 Civic 1.7l, and started noticing a coolant vapor leak a few weeks back. I did the obvious, and replaced the radiator cap, and thermostat.

However, I'm still noticing the leak. When the engine is warm, the top radiator hose is hot, but the bottom hose is cold. But if I turn the heater on in the car, I notice the bottom hose will suddenly get hot, though sometimes, nothing happens and I don't even have cabin heat. Also, the radiator fan doesn't seem to come on when the engine warms up...unless I turn on the A/C.

Please excuse my ignorance...I'm clearly an amateur. Does anyone have an idea where I should start?

NDNV

If you changed the coolant for the thermostat you may air in the system that needs to be purged.

Thatfrogguy71

I was able to burp just a little more air out of it. I'm fairly sure it's purged, but not entirely sure the problem has been fixed. I'll need to test drive it a bit and see if there is any difference. Thank you for your help.

Falloutkid90

Headgasket. I had air getting into my coolant and it would evaporate. I purged the system a ton of times and still nothing

Thatfrogguy71

Thank you! I did consider headgasket. I have been very slowly been losing oil for a while, and as far as I know, it's not dripping. But I'm not seeing any of the other signs. Coolant seems clean, oil is clear, no smoke or coolant smell out the exhaust. Does it still sound like headgasket?

Falloutkid90

there was no oil in my coolant or coolant in oil. Go to a garage or buy the chemical tester yourself. The exhaust gas in the coolant will make the test turn positive which is a blown headgasket. I was so mad when i found this out because i had a list of mods i was going to purchase but after 1500 i had a machined head new headgasket kit (every gasket/o ring for the engine pretty much) water pump timing belt thermostat and head bolts. Car runs like brand new. I read about these symptoms all the time on this generation. I wish i knew this before i bought this car but its fixed now and sound be fine for a very long time.

On a better note, now i can start saving for progress coilover

Thatfrogguy71

That's great advice, and I'll check it out for sure...

A little background, the car has almost 200k miles and I don't have a lot of money sunk into it. The engine was "rebuilt", replaced, whatever...the previous owner ran it out of oil. I've driven it a few years. I got it for a song...so no sweat, really. But I believe the rest of it is pretty solid, minus this issue.

If I can fix it easily and reasonably, then I'm all for it, but if it's going to be a big deal, I guess I can accept that. I've gotten my money's worth out of it.

NDNV

The head-gasket issue is common in these engines but it is a major repair so you may wish to reevaluate to keep or repair at this point.

Falloutkid90

my car only has 108k on it so it was worth it at 200k maybe it is depending on the condition of other things (body supsenion aftermarkwt parts ect)

Thatfrogguy71

Falloutkid, you had the correct answer. Drove the car a half mile yesterday...to the house, luckily, and suddenly misfiring, constantly. The car needs a lot of ancillary work done. At this point I think it's time to retire her. I haven't driven it really at all since it started misfiring. It would be great for the right person. Just not me.