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AR15.COM
7/24/2016 1:59:46 PM EDT
Alright guys, I have a 2001 Honda Civic with 224k that's getting way too hot sometimes and hit limp mode yesterday with code P1361 although the temp gauge never pegged out. So far I've changed the thermostat, water pump, and radiator. Heat will not work at idle and won't blow until you get above 2.5k rpm or so starting it in the winter is a waste of time. Car overheats rapidly when stopped or anytime engine rpms drop after it has run for a while. No coolant loss I can see although it will push it to the overflow then suck it back in when it cools off.

Next step is a head gasket check, any other ideas?
7/24/2016 3:47:37 PM EDT
[#1]
radiator cap..

had a similar symptons and did everything you did plus a fan cluth replacement.. ended up being a bad radiator cap


Brian
7/24/2016 5:49:17 PM EDT
[#2]
The rad fan itself?

Do the fans spin when AC is turned on?
7/24/2016 7:04:52 PM EDT
[#3]
Haven't changed the cap yet, is that's it.
One fan was bad and it was replaced, both run now.


Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
7/24/2016 8:43:33 PM EDT
[#4]
Make sure you have all the air bled out of the cooling system, sounds like you have a big air bubble in it, idle without the cap on it for a while shut down let it set for a wile and the air bubble will burp out.
7/25/2016 12:58:03 AM EDT
[#5]
Should be simple if it is not losing coolant...

Radiator
Thermostat
Radiator cap
Water pump

Bleed the air in system, shoukd be described in the service manual. Turn the heat on high when running to get air out. If the thermostat does not have one, drill a small hole (3/32") to allow air to bleed out easier.

For a no heat issue, could be the following
Clogged heater core
Faulty heat bypass valve.
The bypass should be in one or both of the heater hoses. Unhook and backflush the heater core to see what kind of flow you have. See if the heater hoses are getting hot, one or both. If one is getting hot, probably clogged. If they are both hot to the core, look for a bad air blend door in the climate control system.
7/27/2016 3:19:49 AM EDT
[#6]
Check for bubbling in the expantion tank or radiator at cold startup.   Also coolant in the tailpipe is a dead giveaway.

7/27/2016 3:22:30 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Quoted:
Make sure you have all the air bled out of the cooling system, sounds like you have a big air bubble in it, idle without the cap on it for a while shut down let it set for a wile and the air bubble will burp out.
View Quote


That's my thought as well.
8/2/2016 11:35:14 PM EDT
[#8]
I did some more reading and apparently generic parts store parts and Hondas don't always play nice together. Picked up a new OEM thermostat and radiator cap and swapped both out then tried to burp all the air out of the system again. I'll try and take it for a drive this weekend and see if it behaves.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
8/3/2016 1:13:16 AM EDT
[#9]
leakdown test is best way to diagnose if you suspect a headgasket leak. lookit up on youtube
8/7/2016 1:13:26 PM EDT
[#10]
If you overheat the engine bad even once you may have warped the head.

I assume since you aren't loosing any coolant you also don't have milky looking oil, or loss of power/rough idle which would be a sign of a warped/cracked head or bad head gasket.

Code P1361 is the TDC sensor 1.
Check that the connector is all the way on. You should also test this sensor to make sure its OK.

Did you do anything to the car before it starting overheating, or did it just start overheating one day?
You said one fan wasn't working. Did you severely overheat the engine during that time?

First thing I would do is make sure all the air is removed from the cooling system. Some Honda's have a bleeder valve. Check your manual on the recommended procedure to bleed the coolant system.
Next check the TDC sensor and connector.
Throwing code P1361 leads me to suspect the problem is not with the cooling system but related to this sensor.

When the engine starts to overheat the temp gauge can go from slightly over normal to max very quickly, so you need to keep an eye on the gauge and shut the car down immediately when it starts overheating.