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chantman
Novice
Sep 20, 2013, 2:43 PM
Post #1 of 9
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03 Civic Overheating
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Hi All,
Ok, here's a complete rundown of what's going on. If anyone could help, it would be tremendously appreciated, as I'm at my wits end.
I have an 03 Honda Civic EX Sedan that I purchased with 130k miles on it. It now has 137k miles on it.
A few months ago I noticed the temperature was rising up to 75% on the gauge while my car was idling in a parking lot on a hot summer day. I figured it was low on coolant, so I added some and all seemed well.
Fast forward to last week where my car started overheating again. Only this time the gauge went all the way to H. I noticed this happening when I would slow down after driving a while on interstate. It also happened to be a hot summer day and I had the A/C on. So, I purchased a thermostat and installed it. Things seemed better for a day, but then the overheating began again. At this point I took it to a mechanic. He said it looked like I had air in the system and he burped it. All was well for a few days, until today (a bit warmer of a day than the past couple)... I was driving on interstate and it started overheating. I pulled over and opened the hood and noticed that coolant was everywhere. It was spraying out of somewhere...
So, I took it to the same mechanic as before. They claimed that the thermostat I installed was likely defect out of the box. So, they put a new one in and sent me on my way. By the time I got home my car started overheating again. I opened the hood and noticed coolant all over... Now I'm not sure if they cleaned it up at the mechanic, or if that's the coolant from the original overheat today. But, either way, it's not fixed. I asked them whether or not it was a cracked head, and they said they said it wasn't and that they checked it with some tool/tester (didn't know such a thing exists)...
Where do I go from here??
Thanks in advance!
-Mike
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 20, 2013, 3:29 PM
Post #2 of 9
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Re: 03 Civic Overheating
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Has anyone verified that the fan is working properly and pulling sufficient air?
If the fan is OK, then the first thing you have to do is pressure test the cooling system to locate any leaks or pressure loss.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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chantman
Novice
Sep 20, 2013, 4:09 PM
Post #3 of 9
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Re: 03 Civic Overheating
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They've not pressure tested it yet. Do you think I'm getting screwed over by my mechanic? Why would they think the thermostat needs replaced if it was spewing coolant?
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chantman
Novice
Sep 20, 2013, 4:10 PM
Post #4 of 9
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Re: 03 Civic Overheating
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Oh and the fans are fine.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 20, 2013, 4:29 PM
Post #5 of 9
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Re: 03 Civic Overheating
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I'm trying to think of a professional automotive repair shop that doesn't use a coolant pressure tester when there is a leak and instead replaces the thermostat. You must be taking it to Buferd and Gomer's backyard mechanic's shed.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Sep 20, 2013, 4:35 PM)
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chantman
Novice
Sep 20, 2013, 4:51 PM
Post #6 of 9
(2355 views)
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Re: 03 Civic Overheating
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This is a pretty reputable shop from what I can tell. The mechanics are pretty young though. They mostly do tires there.
I'll take it to a place where I can get it pressure tested.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 20, 2013, 5:06 PM
Post #7 of 9
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Re: 03 Civic Overheating
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It just kind of struck me odd, because they had to opened the hood and saw coolant everywhere. They should have determined where it was coming from instead of just replacing the thermostat. They should also have rinsed off the coolant and test drove it to be sure there wasn't still a problem.
If you do have coolant leaking and spraying around in the engine bay, you sure don't want to be driving it. Engines do cost big bucks.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Sep 20, 2013, 5:07 PM)
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chantman
Novice
Sep 20, 2013, 6:29 PM
Post #8 of 9
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Re: 03 Civic Overheating
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Ok, so I have another piece of information that may help diagnose this. I just went out and started the car, backed it out of the garage, and turned it off. I then removed the radiator cap, and squeezed the top hose. Nothing but steam came out. Should have I seen coolant come out? Does this mean my radiator is drained?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 21, 2013, 2:53 AM
Post #9 of 9
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Re: 03 Civic Overheating
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It means that if you don't find some professional help pretty soon you will be buying a motor. If you don't know how to make sure is full of coolant call a tow truck to tow it to a repair facility.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Sep 21, 2013, 2:55 AM)
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