adpnsmp

My sons car keeps overheating. Have changed thermostat. We are in the process of changing the radiator and fan switch. What are some other things it could be? Does anyone know of any good websites on how to auto repair with diagrams? My son is only 17, it's his second car and it seems like every car we end up getting for him has problems. So my son and his dad are trying to fix the car together but they are not mechanics. My husband is good with cars but not a mechanic. I need to know when the problem is going to be too much for them to handle and what they can try to fix the problem. Any information is appreciated.

HOMEMADEPOWER

Does the radiator fan work? Is it leaking coolant?That may be the problem. Or it might be the water pump is not good.

slowDB7

it could be a bad radiator, water pump, headgasket could be bad, also there could be air trapped in the cooling system if it wasnt bleed right

adpnsmp

They just changed the radiator. And it overheated again. It has has problems starting in the past and he drove it after the radiator change to get gas and it wouldn't start. He got it started after about ten min then less than a mile down the road it overheated. What should we check next?

adpnsmp

How hard is it to change water pump or head gasket

slowDB7

both are very easy to do, you can do both at the same time because you have to remove the timing belt, go to your closet auto parts store and get a repair manual for your sons car they are great help and show step by step on how to change them


what color is the oil in the car?

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Not easy if you don't have the tools or mechanical aptitude.

adpnsmp

The oil just looks like he's burning oil. Dark brown.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Compression test the engine. Could be blown headgasket or warped head from teh continuous overheating.

CX-Adam

Do what Marc has suggested before you start buying parts.

You can rent a compression tester at an autoparts store. You can also rent a repair manual from your local library if you don't want to buy one. Before you buy a new fan, check the fuses and use a multimeter to make sure it's getting power.

I noticed that you've mentioned changing the thermostat, was it even bad? Did you bleed the air out of the system after changing the thermostat? To test the old thermostat, suspended it in a pot of boil water to see if it opens. If it doesn't, you know you've solved part of your problem. If it does, then you've wasted money. If you don't know how to bleed, also known as burping, air out of the system, do a Google search. There's probably a good video out there. It usually involves squeezing the upper and lower rad. hoses.

dirty19

iTrader: (1)

^^ for all the above check google or yourtube there is a guy out there called mark the car guy who does some good vids to help guide you.
Also check online to get get a downloadable Maintenance manual.
Search out 92-95 civic maintenance manual.
It will be in pdf form.

HondaPartsHero

Just a small correction it's Eric the car guy

HondaPartsHero

CX-Adam

These videos are awesome. nice job Dirty and HPH.

adpnsmp

Thank you all so much. I will check out your suggestions. Yes the Tstat was bad and replaced. And bled. They changed the fan switch which we had already bought and one of the hoses and so far seems to have fixed the problem so far. The car ran for about 45 min and fan came on and didn't overheat or lose coolant. We will see. Thank y'all. You were a big help.

adpnsmp

Still having problems starting. And overheating still after the part changes but not as bad. We have a feeling it's the head gasket because of smoke from exhaust. Guess its going to the shop

EsotericImage

iTrader: (8)

Always have the head surfaced after an overheat.
Sounds like the shop you took it to just threw parts at the problem instead of diagnosing the cause.