I just bought a used '94 Civic. My temperature gauge is going up really fast and even though my speedometer is saying I'm doing over 70 I'm only getting up to about 50 or 55. I have a suspicion that it's the timing belt, but I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas. Anything would be helpful, I know next to nothing about this car.

 

doesnt really sound like a timming belt. your temp problem could be just a stuck t-stat. your speed probly could be your speed sensor or it could be wrong size tires or tranny gearing is different.

 

how many miles are on the car, it could be time for a head gasket, as for the speedometer that could be the VSS.

 

133 k on the miles and what is the VSS?



Modified by AutoIdiot at 6:32 PM 10/27/2006

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AutoIdiot &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I just bought a used '94 Civic. My temperature gauge is going up really fast and even though my speedometer is saying I'm doing over 70 I'm only getting up to about 50 or 55. I have a suspicion that it's the timing belt, but I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas. Anything would be helpful, I know next to nothing about this car.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well your operating temp and speedo have no effect on each other.

First temperature: Start you car and let it idle till your temperature gauge starts to go up. When it does feel your upper radiator hose. If its cold, you need a new thermostat. If its hot your cooling fan is not operating.

Speedo: Have you changed your wheel size from stock? That will change your speed if so. Also try to get a friend to follow you so you can figure out how much its off.

Your motor is a interference motor, if your timing belt was slipping to the point your overheating your pistons would have smacked your valves and wouldn't work.

Honestly I would recommend taking your car to a shop because your knowledge about cars is lacking and you could make things worse and more expensive to fix in the longs run. I'm not trying to be a jerk, seriously.

 

No offense taken, I know I'm in over my head. I'm just trying to get a handle on what's going on.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AutoIdiot &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">No offense taken, I know I'm in over my head. I'm just trying to get a handle on what's going on.</TD></TR></TABLE>
If you take your car to a shop you wont be looking at much for diagnosing and parts. The more you let the car overheat the worse your motor will get till it blows up. Overheating is very bad but can be cheap to fix.

Good luck on whatever you decide. And don't pay attention to the **** who might come in here and insult you.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fasthatchb18c1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">And don't pay attention to the **** who might come in here and insult you.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Very true about anything about HT. to fasthatchB18C1 for good advice.

 

Yep either headgasket or thermostat. You say you dont know much about your car, well it's time to learn something relatively simple. Get a Haynes / Helms Manual (Helms is better) for your car and then get a genuine Honda thermostat and replace it. It comes out by:

1. draining the coolant- valve on bottom of radiator

2. removing 2 bolts on the thermostat housing

3. taking out the old thermostat and putting the new one in

4. place screws back and tighten

5. Fill up coolant and use the "bleeder valve" to get the air out

Easy, cheap (Honda thermostat is about $20), coolant - $10 at most, and most important you will learn AND possibly solve the problem. If this doesnt work, get someone to look at your car who knows what they are doing. Headgasket is no joke if you dont know what you're doing