johnny090881

Vehicle overheats on freeway, I've changed out the thermostat, water pump tested out fan replaced and flushed our coolant but vehicle tends to overheat on freeway. Why do you think? Could it be the timing? When I put in water pump and new timming belt I did not put it on top dead center, could that be the issue but the funny things is that the car doesn't hesitate or lag so didn't think it would be the timing. Any help I would really appreciate

johnny090881

Nobody has any tech info?

Former User

Have you thoroughly bled the the cooling system?

Losing coolant? White smoke in exhaust?

b16_sol_707

When you bled the coolant system did you have the heater on? I don't think it's the timing, but I would check that anyways. If you jump the fan switch does the fan come on with the ignition? when it overheats is the fan on? Maybe the fan switch is bad?

johnny090881

Yeah fan work, like I said it only overheats on the freeway after a period of time driving. The only reason I was thinking is the timming is because I did not set it to tdc, but not only that but on cold starts it takes a long time to start and when it does is like an odd start doesn't sound anything normal, but after the car is warm it starts right up and it doesn't hesitate or lag any power.

b16_sol_707

Definately double check your timing.

johnny090881

Ok, now is their any other way that other then taking off the valve cover and all the other stuff to put it on tdc?

b16_sol_707

nope.

Former User

As mentioned, it's important to set the mechanical timing correctly; however, the overheating is a separate problem.

b16_sol_707

Are you losing any coolant?

johnny090881

Yeah from overflow but you think It might also have a small head gasket leak, no white smoke from exhaust, but I was thinking if the the timing is not all there wouldn't it run like crap? It just started doing that hard to start on cold starts doesn't over heat on the streets but I have noticed that the fan turns on multple tmes on the street but doesn't over heat like I said I my on the freeway after a period of time.

b16_sol_707

check all of your hoses for leaks. I had an overheating problem and it turned out to be a pinhole leak in a heater hose.

johnny090881

I'll double check that again but I didn't see any leaks last time but, I just want to say thanks for all your info.

gsrauto98

sounds like the head gasket to me, but check coolant level and for air pockets

Former User

You may have a blown head gasket, but rule out simple stuff first. In addition to checking for leaking hoses, you also may want to replace the radiator cap. Then thoroughly bleed the cooling system.

johnny090881

Now when I start the car without the radiator cap I noticed it spits out the coolant, I don't think that's normal right? If anything it's suppose to flow isn't it?

b16_sol_707

What he said. lol

Former User

The engine may be releasing trapped air in the system. Turn the heater lever to full heat and, with the cap installed loosely, let the engine idle until the radiator fan turn on twice. What year Civic? Do you heave a bleed bolt where the upper radiator hose attaches to the block?

johnny090881

Cool thanks for all your guy's opinions, appreciate it.

johnny090881

96 but no bleeder valve

Former User

Okay. Note that a thorough bleed of the cooling system may take 20 minutes or more. Consider also parking the car on an inclined driveway with the front end higher than the rear. This helps eliminate trapped air. Good luck.

johnny090881

alright, will do that thanks for the tips, I'll update to let you guys know after I do the work, so do you even suggest to mess with the timmng even though it doesn't hesitate or lag power, just that last week like I said it's been hard to start when cold but I did the ignition timming today and it started right up but at first it was hard to get it started.

b16_sol_707

That problem is unrelated to the overheat, but If you aren't 100% sure the timing belt is exactly where it should be then check it. The starting problem could be any number of other things from old ignition components to fuel or electrical systems

Former User

If you were able to set the ignition timing to spec with a timing gun, then the mechanical timing is fine.

johnny090881

Cool, I guess I just gotta work this weekened, by like I said before thanks guys. Good stuff