so recently my 04 civic has been over heating bad and quick even if i just put coolant in it well i found a lil trick that turns on my fans manually so i know i need a new sensor well anyway i did that and it kept my engine temp at just a hair under half way and was able to drive but my lower radiator tube was cold not even a lil warm so i need to know should i replace my thermostat or not becuz if i would not have had my fans on becuz they wasnt coming on by themselfs it would overheat so is the thermostat working what kept it cool this last test was that i had a paper clip in my fan connecter cuz the sensor wasnt turning them on plz help i dont want to blow a gasket

 

It's usually best to go with how the car was designed , don't use a jump wire to make the fans run . If it gets hot see if the fans are running and shut it down before you blow a head gasket ., if the gauge is temperamental then replace the thermostat with honda OEM don't get a $10** one at auto zoo , you can't get a sandwich for $10** why buy a crappy part for $10** ? Think these things out before buying parts you don't need .

 

Change the thermostat first.

 

Change the thermostat first. While your doing it just do a full coolant drain and refill. DO NOT JUST USE WATER. Buy the prediluted coolant. It doesnt really cost that much.