I have a 96 coupe with a b16a2 and for the last month it overheats when it wants to but only when its at a dead stop for a while. First I took out the thermostat and ran without one to see if that was the problem (didn't fix the problem). I aired out the system and it won't overheat for a while. Then I changed the radiator with a dual core one, put a new oem thermostat and aired out the system with the a/c setting set on heat. Few days later with the car sitting for a while at a dead stop the car started to overheat again. My question is what else should I change before i start thinking about headgasket and water pump.

 

Check to see if your fans come on, if they arent then that explains y it is over heating at a stop, no air is passing through the radiator.

 

Check the fans i have the same problem on my em1. you can check the relays maybe thats the problem if not then it might be your wiring from the fuse box to your fans.

 

i forgot to mention that my fans do turn on

 

try doing a coolant system flush?

 

i did that, i just changed out the radiator and put fresh coolant