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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:13:21 PM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
I noticed it on my drive home. Pulled into the nearest serve station to check my fluids, and added about 1/2 liter of water as the reservoir was empty. Then I drive about a mile, but it was still close to pegged. Pulled over again and carefully loosened the radiator cap. Blew of steam and the coolant reservoir refilled. Drove of again and temperature gauge returned to normal. Maybe just some gunky coolant lines? Anything that could cause this? wat? |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:16:09 PM EDT
[#2]
Is it a Jeep? If it is you're fucked.
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:16:59 PM EDT
[#3]
Honda Civic - 1992
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:17:28 PM EDT
[#4]
Stuck thermostat?
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:18:17 PM EDT
[#5]
stuck thermostat maybe.
I really don't have a clue. I just know to check the radiator cap and thermostat first. |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:18:57 PM EDT
[#6]
A stuck thermostat, or possibly air in your coolant system. That's all I got.
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:19:22 PM EDT
[#7]
Water pump may have gone out.
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:19:34 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Stuck thermostat? I have never dealt with a thermostat before. BTW - I don't tinker with cars much according to youtube, I need a 3/8 ratchet, 6 inch extension, 3 in extension w/ swivel. and a a 10mm socket. Hell, I got that stuff. Oh yeah, I may need a thermostat as well 
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:20:37 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Stuck thermostat? That's my guess. Symptoms are right. |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:21:11 PM EDT
[#10]
Sounds like a slow leak may have caused an air gap somewhere in your system. No fluid could flow so overheat?
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:21:36 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
BTW - I don't tinker with cars much For future reference, you generally do not want to open the radiator cap on a hot engine. |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:23:12 PM EDT
[#12]
If the engine has an aluminum head you may have a big problem. Check the hose connections and the coolant pump weep hole for signs of leakage as the coolant went somewhere. Is you exhaust spewing white steam?
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:23:30 PM EDT
[#13]
I'd say stuck T stat to be sure. God knows I've been knocking holes through GM Thermostats on the shoulder of the highway forever. But, Honda got smart. I'm not sure when they did it but Honda T-stats break open. That means they don't constantly overheat unless they are stuck in traffic and they run cool while moving down the highway. As someone else here pointed out, there's a good chance it's a head gasket. |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:23:38 PM EDT
[#14]
Check the location of the thermostat. It should be an easy replacement. A few bucks for the thermostat and gasket if it uses one. See if any gasket sealer is used.
Google You Tube videos. |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:26:07 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
For future reference, you generally do not want to open the radiator cap on a hot engine. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
BTW - I don't tinker with cars much For future reference, you generally do not want to open the radiator cap on a hot engine. I was careful as could be, just cracked with using a towel as a glove |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:27:28 PM EDT
[#16]
My guess would be blown gasket. What year, make, model of vehicle?
I would bet you have a blown gasket somewhere, or a leak, or a cracked radiator... My bet would lean toward blown head gasket. The car likely has a few other small symptoms you're not listing. Put the heater on high... When engine is running hotter, does it blow hot air through your heater all the time (including sitting idle), or only when pushing gas pedal? Does the engine seem to stutter a bit when you start it up, and run smoother after pressing the gas pedal a bit? Is there any discoloration or brown color to your radiator coolant, or is it bright greenish color? Is there brown oily looking gunk in radiator / reservoir, or stuck to the sides of the reservoir? Do any of your coolant hoses coming off the engine look bulged or puffy, or are they the same width across its whole length? |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:30:53 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
My guess would be blown gasket. What year, make, model of vehicle? 1992 Honda Civic I would bet you have a blown gasket somewhere, or a leak, or a cracked radiator... My bet would lean toward blown head gasket. The car likely has a few other small symptoms you're not listing. Put the heater on high... When engine is running hotter, does it blow hot air through your heater all the time (including sitting idle), or only when pushing gas pedal? Heater appeared to operate normally - I looked there for symptoms Does the engine seem to stutter a bit when you start it up, and run smoother after pressing the gas pedal a bit? No Never Is there any discoloration or brown color to your radiator coolant, or is it bright greenish color? Green Is there brown oily looking gunk in radiator / reservoir, or stuck to the sides of the reservoir? Nope Do any of your coolant hoses coming off the engine look bulged or puffy, or are they the same width across its whole length? Hoses look good |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:31:55 PM EDT
[#18]
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:36:26 PM EDT
[#19]
check your oil, if its milky colored its a big problem, radiator cap removed and full of coolant if you see a lot of bubbling coming up its big problems. cracked head,head gasket, intake manifold gasket or if your lucky just a thermostat issue or pinhole in radiator. if your losing water its going somewhere.
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:46:54 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
For future reference, you generally do not want to open the radiator cap on a hot engine. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
BTW - I don't tinker with cars much For future reference, you generally do not want to open the radiator cap on a hot engine. or drive it or even run it.. you need to wait for it to cool down before adding water |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 5:49:32 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
or drive it or even run it.. you need to wait for it to cool down before adding water Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
BTW - I don't tinker with cars much For future reference, you generally do not want to open the radiator cap on a hot engine. or drive it or even run it.. you need to wait for it to cool down before adding water adding cold water to a hot engine can cause major issues for sure. |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 6:05:51 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
or drive it or even run it.. you need to wait for it to cool down before adding water Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
BTW - I don't tinker with cars much For future reference, you generally do not want to open the radiator cap on a hot engine. or drive it or even run it.. you need to wait for it to cool down before adding water Ain't nobody got time for that! |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 6:17:30 PM EDT
[#23]
Rough thermostat cost not knowing the specifics of your engine is $8-14.
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Posted: 4/11/2014 6:22:36 PM EDT
[#24]
Swap the thermostat. Super easy and inexpensive. Get more coolant as well because it needs to be drained down or you will have niagra falls from the t stat housing.
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Posted: 4/11/2014 6:43:44 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I was careful as could be, just cracked with using a towel as a glove Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
BTW - I don't tinker with cars much For future reference, you generally do not want to open the radiator cap on a hot engine. I was careful as could be, just cracked with using a towel as a glove I always carried a full-size towel in my older vehicles for just this reason. If you cover the cap and drape it around the top, it will keep the hot fluid from spraying you. Use common sense of course. |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 6:45:13 PM EDT
[#26]
Cooling system deserves your money. I would do a complete R&R ... upper and lower radiator hoses, thermostat, water pump, and flush that system over and over until it runs clear.
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Posted: 4/11/2014 6:45:36 PM EDT
[#27]
Dude, you pull over a get your car towed if that happens.
hopefully no damage. |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 6:46:07 PM EDT
[#28]
Check the water pump belt first, then replace thermostat.
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Posted: 4/11/2014 6:49:03 PM EDT
[#29]
Thermostat stuck shut. By relieving the pressure in the system you probably unstuck it. You should replace the thermostat anyway.
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Posted: 4/11/2014 6:53:21 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
check your oil, if its milky colored its a big problem, radiator cap removed and full of coolant if you see a lot of bubbling coming up its big problems. cracked head,head gasket, intake manifold gasket or if your lucky just a thermostat issue or pinhole in radiator. if your losing water its going somewhere. The oil dip stick will show a brown stain near the top end if there is coolant in the oil, too. This will be a small or intermittent leak if the other indications are absent. |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 6:55:08 PM EDT
[#31]
Had the same thing happen to my Honda Accord.
Dealership changed the thermostat and just a few miles into my nightly commute home the temp pegged again. Took it to another shop and they said the dealer put the thermostat in backwards. Pegged again and melted the overflow plastic tank. Another shop did another thermostat and it failed and brown liquid came out (freeze out plug (s) let go I think). Engine dead. 3 shops and not one got it right and it cost me a car that I just finished paying off 
Not one ever checked the water pump, they never even mentioned it. I was clueless. Spoke with another shop gave the low down and the very high mileage and they instantly said water pump. |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 9:39:08 PM EDT
[#32]
I hope it is not the water pump, I have had it replaced several times, every time I get the timing belt changed
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Posted: 4/11/2014 9:42:58 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
adding cold water to a hot engine can cause major issues for sure. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
BTW - I don't tinker with cars much For future reference, you generally do not want to open the radiator cap on a hot engine. or drive it or even run it.. you need to wait for it to cool down before adding water adding cold water to a hot engine can cause major issues for sure. lol, no. |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 9:49:44 PM EDT
[#34]
All we really know from what you have told us is tht you have a coolant leak. Take it to a shop. They will pressure test the cooling system, and find the source of your leak. They will then quote you a price for the repairs.
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Posted: 4/11/2014 9:55:38 PM EDT
[#35]
And so continues the pussification of America
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Posted: 4/11/2014 9:57:24 PM EDT
[#36]
----------> CHILL OUT. You have refilled the radiator and the tank. Closely watch the level in the tank.... if it starts going down ( 1/2 tank or more ) in one or two days you have a problem. If it's slower than that, you may have a slow leak. |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 10:02:58 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
And so continues the pussification of America Slow your roll, brother. This guy doesn't know shit but he's trying. We all have to start somewhere. |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 10:03:18 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The oil dip stick will show a brown stain near the top end if there is coolant in the oil, too. This will be a small or intermittent leak if the other indications are absent. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: check your oil, if its milky colored its a big problem, radiator cap removed and full of coolant if you see a lot of bubbling coming up its big problems. cracked head,head gasket, intake manifold gasket or if your lucky just a thermostat issue or pinhole in radiator. if your losing water its going somewhere. The oil dip stick will show a brown stain near the top end if there is coolant in the oil, too. This will be a small or intermittent leak if the other indications are absent. I have a blown head gasket on my 1985 toyota truck, not going to fix it, it sucks coolant, not only have the green jelly under the oil cap, some is stuck to the dipstick too. I'd hate to see what the inside of the valve cover looks ike. Oh another sign it's mixing coolant with oil is the dipsticks shows about 2 quarts high  I'm limiting the truck to trips no more than 2-3 miles away until I buy a new vehicle this fall, I have another vehicle so whether the '85 truck dies tomorrow doesn't really matter. I don't put more than $10 worth of gas in it at a time |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 10:06:12 PM EDT
[#39]
what's the cooling fan like on your vehicle? electric or does it use a fan clutch? Fan clutches don't last forever, if you do a lot of stop and go driving the car will overheat with a bad fan clutch, same if the electric fan doesn't work. In continued steady driving it won't because you have enough air flow coming in from the grill
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Posted: 4/11/2014 10:11:27 PM EDT
[#40]
Quoted:
I noticed it on my drive home. Pulled into the nearest serve station to check my fluids, and added about 1/2 liter of water as the reservoir was empty. Then I drive about a mile, but it was still close to pegged. Pulled over again and carefully loosened the radiator cap. Blew of steam and the coolant reservoir refilled. Drove of again and temperature gauge returned to normal. Maybe just some gunky coolant lines? Anything that could cause this? Gunky coolant lines? Come on...you're losing coolant somewhere. First, check your oil dipstick,,,any froth or, white on it? Second, check your exhaust...white plume..? Gunky coolant lines, my ass. Though, at this point, I'd replace them, too. |
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Posted: 4/11/2014 10:16:12 PM EDT
[#41]
Head gasket (likely or not) seems like the most expensive, so that is probably what it is
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Posted: 4/12/2014 11:18:09 AM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Slow your roll, brother. This guy doesn't know shit but he's trying. We all have to start somewhere. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
And so continues the pussification of America Slow your roll, brother. This guy doesn't know shit but he's trying. We all have to start somewhere. I agree. The you tube video will help. Replace the thermostat to see if that fixes the overheating issue then some day maybe he will replace the hoses, or belt. I just replaced the rotors in a Blazer for the first time (been done by shops before). That is so easy once you get in there. |
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Posted: 4/12/2014 11:23:15 AM EDT
[#43]
Just keep driving it. Don't worry about it.
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Posted: 4/12/2014 11:26:32 AM EDT
[#44]
You don't put water in, you put coolant in.
Water is horrible for your cooling system. Seriously, dude, taking off the radiator cap of a hot engine? People get scared for life doing that shit. You really need to take your car to someone that knows what they're doing. |
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Posted: 4/12/2014 11:54:48 AM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have a blown head gasket on my 1985 toyota truck, not going to fix it, it sucks coolant, not only have the green jelly under the oil cap, some is stuck to the dipstick too. I'd hate to see what the inside of the valve cover looks ike. Oh another sign it's mixing coolant with oil is the dipsticks shows about 2 quarts high
I'm limiting the truck to trips no more than 2-3 miles away until I buy a new vehicle this fall, I have another vehicle so whether the '85 truck dies tomorrow doesn't really matter. I don't put more than $10 worth of gas in it at a time Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
check your oil, if its milky colored its a big problem, radiator cap removed and full of coolant if you see a lot of bubbling coming up its big problems. cracked head,head gasket, intake manifold gasket or if your lucky just a thermostat issue or pinhole in radiator. if your losing water its going somewhere. The oil dip stick will show a brown stain near the top end if there is coolant in the oil, too. This will be a small or intermittent leak if the other indications are absent. I have a blown head gasket on my 1985 toyota truck, not going to fix it, it sucks coolant, not only have the green jelly under the oil cap, some is stuck to the dipstick too. I'd hate to see what the inside of the valve cover looks ike. Oh another sign it's mixing coolant with oil is the dipsticks shows about 2 quarts high
I'm limiting the truck to trips no more than 2-3 miles away until I buy a new vehicle this fall, I have another vehicle so whether the '85 truck dies tomorrow doesn't really matter. I don't put more than $10 worth of gas in it at a time Assuming it's not a rusted hulk (eh, who am I kidding, it's a Toyota  ), rebuild that 22r and drive it for another 300k. Extremely simple, durable little power plants.
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Posted: 4/12/2014 12:03:00 PM EDT
[#46]
In my experience, a low coolant level, non-working radiator fans, or a tiny radiator leak will cause the temp to rise. |
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Posted: 4/12/2014 12:04:36 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Head gasket (likely or not) seems like the most expensive, so that is probably what it is If your oil looks like a milkshake it's your head gasket. If it's clean it's something else. |
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Posted: 4/12/2014 12:06:29 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
You don't put water in, you put coolant in. Water is horrible for your cooling system. Seriously, dude, taking off the radiator cap of a hot engine? People get scared for life doing that shit. You really need to take your car to someone that knows what they're doing. Coolant is diluted with water. It's not going to hurt anything if you just dilute it a little more as long as you use distilled or even RO water. |
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Posted: 4/12/2014 12:11:38 PM EDT
[#49]
You have coolant leaking into the combustion chamber. Probably a blown head gasket or a warped or cracked head. This causes your coolant levels to get low, and air gaps to form in the coolant passageways. You can have air in there, even if it's "topped off".
You shouldn't be driving the car until you fix it. That's how chicks ruin an otherwise fixable engine. If you can afford to have it fixed, do it now while it's still doable. Fwiw- if you let the temp get that hot, you may have already ruined the engine. If you can't afford it, learn how to do it. Try youtube for methods on how to bleed the air out of the system. |
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Posted: 4/12/2014 12:14:12 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
If your oil looks like a milkshake it's your head gasket. If it's clean it's something else. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Head gasket (likely or not) seems like the most expensive, so that is probably what it is If your oil looks like a milkshake it's your head gasket. If it's clean it's something else. Not always the case. On my chevy, oil can get into the coolant never gets into the oil. I don't understand how, but it's been like that for years. |
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