HondaGuy951

iTrader: (2)

Hey guys, I'm having a bit of an overheating problem. my hoses/radiator/coolant level and what not are fine. what the car does is, it will start to get hot after a while of driving when i'm at a stop light or something (idle) but when i get moving, it returns to normal. is this my thermostat? I just picked one up so I was just making sure. anyone got a detailed write-up on changing the t-stat and bleeding the system and what not?! any help appreciated! thanks guys!

P.S. Motor is D16y7. Car is 1997 Civic LX AUTO Tranny. Motor is Stock except for CAI.

Former User

Sounds like the radiator fan doesn't turn ON when the engine gets hot. Try jumping the 2P connector for the fan switch on thermostat housing. It should then run continuously and prevent the overheating. If so, replace the thermoswitch.

anothersickhatch

^^^ most likely the radiator fan.

HondaGuy951

iTrader: (2)

Really? I'll try jumpin' it and see what happens. If it does not continuously turn on, does this mean that it works, or does it mean I need a new switch?

Former User

This is a common problem that is typically but not always caused by a bad thermoswitch. If the fan does not run continuously after jumping the 2P thermoswitch connector with the key in ON(II), then run wires directly from the battery to the fan. If the fan doesn't run, the fan motor is bad. If it runs, check the fan relay under the hood and continuity of the wires.

HondaGuy951

iTrader: (2)

ok, I'll check all of this out tonight when it cools off a bit! thanks for the help guys!

Former User

Oh yeah, also don't forget to check whether fuse 57 or 17 is blown.

HondaGuy951

iTrader: (2)

will do! how do I know what number the fuse is though?

Former User

HondaGuy951

iTrader: (2)

sweet! that'll work! TY!

HondaGuy951

iTrader: (2)

ok, so I went outside and let the car run and watched to see if the fan came on. the fan came on, but the car still started to get hot......now what?!

HondaGuy951

iTrader: (2)

oi......this is frustrating me!!

Anton LaVey

could be the water pump

HondaGuy951

iTrader: (2)

so I just checked for white smoke.......none......grrr

Former User

If the radiator is clogged with dead bugs, spray them off with a hose.

Also try bleeding the cooling system:

Park the car on an inclined driveway with the front higher than the rear and turn the heater ****/lever to MAX heat.

Then follow steps 9-12 precisely:

HondaGuy951

iTrader: (2)

did that......any more ideas? is it simply my thermostat poopin out?

Former User

That's worth replacing at this point. You could also try flushing the cooling system of potential debris that could impede normal coolant flow or even replacing the radiator.

HondaGuy951

iTrader: (2)

alrighty. I'll see what replacing the themostat and flushing the coolant system does.

Dangousity

Open the cap of the radiator, turn on the car, watch the water, put your finger in the water, wait for it to "warm up" It wont take too long if everything is working correctly. If water is flowing and warming, replace the radiator. Being the stock junk that came with the car it had a tiny crack in the plastic which expanded when hot and the car would overheat when idling. Replaced the radiator, never gets half way now... no matter what.
It takes 5 minutes, and 80 dollars for a 1" rad off ebay .. too easy.

HondaGuy951

iTrader: (2)

I'm just going to replace the water pump, head gasket, thermostat, and all appropriate gaskets.

EK9ED

u got a mechanic, send it to the H institute where a arab and a white guy will be more than happy to work on ur car lol, i got a thermostat for u if u need it, and actually i got a brand new D series water pump too in box lemme know