Hey guys, so here it goes. I have asked around for a while now on what could be causing the issue and have done all the suggested but one. I just want to make sure this is what needs to be done before ripping the motor apart. The car has been sitting for aprox 18 months, however i do start it every month just to keep everything normal. Last year i went and bought a 2013 kia forte koup so i havent needed this car. Due to my fiance not having a car and me now having a baby on the way i need to fix this civic!

Ok sorry for the long story but here are my symptoms. Its a stock 1991 ef sedan LX d-15 automatic. I am the 3rd owner of this vehicle. I have replaced the Radiatior, waterpump, timing belt, all the hoses, radiator cap, thermostat flushed the systems more times than i can count. Basically what is happening is that the car will opperate at normal operating temperatures. However once the car idles for a while or i drive it the needle goes through the roof!!

Once i park the car and pop the hood i can see that the car has force most of the cooling fluid into the overflow and i can visually see tons of bubbles bubbling inside the over flow. All the parts i stated ive replaced are OEM brand new parts. The only thing i can think of is a head gasket. i would appreciate maybe a diagnosis or some help as i need to fix this for my fiance and baby on the way. thanks alot guys!!!!!

this is the fix i was looking it suggestions? : http://www.ebay.com/itm/400202889363...84.m1438.l2649

 

You can try another radiator cap, but all signs seem to point to headgasket. Have you tried starting the car with the radiator cap off (engine cool obviously) and checked if it's bubbling immediately? If it is that's a pretty clear sign of a bad headgasket.

 

ive put a brand new radiatior. and 3 brand new radiator caps. the radiator has a break in the neck so its hard to see down into the radiator but the overlfow bubbles like hell!! when the car is cold and i top off the radiator until it overflows i do get bubbles not alot but once in a while. thanks for the reply!!

 

Head gasket. That bubbling is compression going into the cooling system. Do a compression test to be sure.

 

Head gasket or clogged water jacket from too much stop leak. Never go full retard. (Never use stop leak.)

EDIT: What you need is what they call a block test. Its a device that sits on the radiator outlet at the top in place of a cap and puts pressure on the cooling system. It has certain fluid that will turn a different color if compression is escaping into the cooling system. Thats the right way anyways.

 

This is most likely a bad head gasket. Wait til the car is cold, take the radiator cap off, start the car, and watch for the bubbles. If they start coming and never go away, you've got combustion gas entering the cooling system and need to replace the head gasket.

 

o-o check the oil for it to be creamy
not always does a bad head gasket lead to creamy looking oil, but its a 100% identifier.

 

Hey guys thanks for all the great advice. My oil is fine not milky at all but i do have bubble coming from the radiator neck. ive never gone full retard and put stop leak in the system so yeah. but im ordering the kit i put in my links and will be installing it sometime soon. i will update the thread once i install with results. at the time of install i will also install A/c since ill have the motor apart. Thanks alot guys!!

 

Have your head and block measured for warpage before you reinstall everything. If either are warped you will have the same problem.

 

Hey guys sorry for the delay but i finally put in the head gasket and had the block and head resurfaced. car is running like a champ!!!! thanks for the advice

 

Good job!!

 

Awesome! What head bolts or studs did you use?

 

i used stock bolts i took out. soaked in motor oil and torqued to specs.

also quick question. im doing the ac in my car right now. where does the expansion valve go. thanks in advance.

 

I don't remember what that looks like. But my AC had 2 solid lines and each had a valve new the passenger side firewall where they passed through the firewall.

 

Have you bleed the cooling system properly? To eliminate air bubbles that may cause overheating.

 

problem has been fixed it was a headgasket. water was getting into #1 cylinder.