Jwbetley

This is my second thread for this problem. I have searched this forum countless times for a similar problem but keep coming up empty

Hi. My girlfriend has a 93 civic cx hatchback (Manual). The car can be driven for approximately 500 miles and then begins to overheat.

There are the symptoms:

- Overheats after 350-500 miles of driving
- Radiator is (for some reason) slightly bellowing out on each side. I replaced the radiator with a new one and this one is starting to do the same thing!
-The radiator cap hisses just a bit when the car is parked. This is the third radiator cap (all brand new) that I've tried.
-When the car does overheat, it only requires about 2 quarts of antifreeze to fill up the radiator.(weird ) Then overheating, turning on the heat brings the temp down to a normal temp and that is when I re-fill the radiator.
-I smell a hint of antifreeze when the car is parked after running.
-he car is running 50/50 pre-diluted antifreeze. It began to overheat about 6 times in the last month and a half so I just put water in. The color of the antifreeze is still green though, so it is still diluted.
-The heater controls work fine. There are no visible leaks. I replaced the thermostat about a year ago (kinda right before this all began).
-Cooing fan works. Car will overheat at moderate to high speeds.

Please, I need some advice on what this could be. I need some incite.

-I feel like there is a build up of pressure in the system that is causing the radiator to bellow out and the cap to hiss.

-I dont know why the car begins to over heat so bad when there is still a significant amount of fluid in it. Again, It's overheated numerous times. I put water in to fill the radiator everytime. The coolant is still green and seems to just be less diluted.

-I don't know if it is a head gasket or not. Could it somehow be linked to the thermostat (i cant see why but maybe)? Should I try to flush the system with some kind of special chemical?

-I was thinking of running without the thermostat for a little while and see if the problem continues... Would that rule out a head gasket if there are no problems?

I am a bit confused. This is the only Honda that I cant seem to fix. Please give me some advice. Thanks!

-Justin

Former User

Unfortunately, it does sound like the head or head gasket is bad. I think exhaust gases from combustion may be entering the cooling system through a small breach in the head gasket. You might want to do compression and leak down tests of the four cylinders in an attempt to detect this possible leak.

94EG8

From the info you have provided I would say most likely blown headgasket. When the engine is cold remove the rad cap, crank the engine over, if coolant spews out the top you've got a blown headgasket. If so find another engine, once they overheat, especially repeatedly your just wasting your time putting in a headgasket, its just going to blow again.

Jwbetley

I figured that the exhuast was causing the pressure in the cooling system. I dont think I am going to attempt the head gasket. I avoid changing composite head gaskets as most people probably do.

I am going to try stop-leak or something similar. I have a friend who swears by the stuff (assuming the driections are followed to a T) and the car isn't driven hard at all. That should hopefully get me through the winter and into the spring. Maybe then I can throw another engine in. I'd love to ditch the 8 valve! It's just uncomfortably slow...

[QUOTE=94EG8]When the engine is cold remove the rad cap, crank the engine over, if coolant spews out the top you've got a blown headgasket. QUOTE]

Should I be cranking it with the spark plug wires removed? Thermostat removed?

Thanks alot for the advice. I am open to more

94EG8

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jwbetley &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Should I be cranking it with the spark plug wires removed? Thermostat removed?

Thanks alot for the advice. I am open to more </TD></TR></TABLE>

No, just crank it over, usually coolant will spew out the top before it even gets a chance to start. Stop leak is junk IMO. If it were me i'd just pull the engine and drop in a JDM SOHC, dirt cheap and low mileage, what more could you ask for.

Pothole987

do you notice white smoke coming out of your exhaust or a sweet smell when the car is warming up? also, have you checked your oil? as in does it look like pudding/caramel?
shitty job but dont put stop leak in, my neighbour did the exact same thing and right after wards he lost his heat inside the car ( most likely blocked the heater core).

Jwbetley

I do smell a sweet smell when it warms up, Definitely. I always assumed it was from the antifreeze that is hissing out of the radiator cap.

I am going to find another engine soon. I'd like to look around for some low miles, cheap, and something with a metal head gasket. Also something 16 valve and 1.6.

I have read a lot on stop leak. It can really mess up your car if used incorrectly; and yes, it will often block heater cores. The engine should be thoroughly flushed with water. Not a drop of antifreeze should be in the system or the solution will clump. Also, many people run the stop leak through the cooling system with the heater core closed. A simple radiator hose can be used to by-pass the heater core if need be. I am gonna try it because many people do have luck with it. It's worth a try.


Modified by Jwbetley at 2:23 PM 10/12/2008