94civic ex auto
198k
stock d16
my sis civic is over heating in stop and go traffic and around town. i tried flushing the radiator and changing the thermostat and fan switch and thing seemed to work. i don't know what else to do.
If u know a reputable mechanic or shop near riverside area would be great. OR ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

 

check your oil and see if its milky. you might have a blown head gasket

 

i just changed the oil and it wasn't milky and it doesn't smoke at all.

 

Does the radiator fan turn on?

 

yes!

 

Does it overheat while moving or stopped?

 

Does it only happen when idling?

 

check the thermostat maybe get one that opens sooner then the new one u got

 

Waterpump?

 

he would notice coolant if it was

 

it over heats when at its a stop. light turns green and u start driving the temp falls

 

Bleed the cooling system. Any coolant leaks?

 

no coolant leaks. i bled it twice. lol

 

How did you do the bleed?

 

You said you changed the fan switch? Did you jump the connector to make sure the fan actually works?

When you are sitting in traffic, and the gauge creeps a little past half way can you hear the fan kick on?

 

Maybe a stupid question but...is there a check engine light on? Autozone will hook it up and run it. Also possibly change the radiator itself. If none of that it sounds like the thermostat is sticking. Maybe it's not the right one. Get one from honda. Good luck

 

CEL will not go on with a bad radiator, might go off with a bad coolant temp sensor.

 

AutoZone does not pull OBD1 codes.

A bad radiator is possible, though more simple items should first be ruled out.

 

Sounds like the thermostats bad.my hatch did the same thing

 

He said he changed the thermostat.

 

no check engine light.
changed the thermostats
yes i do hear the fan turn on.
might be a bad radiator!

 

How old is the radiator?

Look closely at it, esp at the top do you seem a greenish tint on the top? is it a little wet on the top?

I would have the system pressure tested, easy to do.

 

Check the radiator cap?

Autozone can test those.

 

how can do i pressure test the system?

 

You might be able to rent a unit at Autozone, basically take off the rad cap, and you attached the unit per instructions, and it is like a hand pump you pump up to say 1.5 pounds depending on car and then check for leaks.