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Honda Civic (1994) overheating
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MikeyAli
New User
Sep 17, 2010, 7:22 AM
Post #1 of 5
(3494 views)
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Honda Civic (1994) overheating
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Year of vehicle - 1994
Make of vehicle Honda
Model of vehicle Civic GLi
Engine size 1.6
Mileage/Kilometers - 143,000
Driving to and from work tonight, temp gauge started going to "h" after a few minutes driving at 100km/h (60m/ph), started after going up a hill.
Weather has been snowy and freezing (might be relevent)...on the way home drove slow, still heated up quickly, smoked a bit.
Loss of power made me think it was something more than radiator or spark plugs. Engine starting to sound weak.
Since its nighttime havent been able to check anything yet, could be oil related as its an old car.
WOuld just like some ideas as to what it might be?
thanks.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 17, 2010, 8:33 AM
Post #2 of 5
(3484 views)
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Re: Honda Civic (1994) overheating
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Hi,
Certainly cold weather is less taxing to cooling system but that fact that this is happening now could mean you didn't have enough antifreeze if cold enough and radiator won't circulate. Blasting heater should be enough for many cars when cold out.
Now it's been hot so you need to know it's full of proper coolant. Then I'd pressure test and sorry to say check for head gasket problems. You can't get away too often it you overheat these and many other cars without damage - hope not.
You said it would heat up quickly despite cold weather which suggests it's VERY low on coolant/antifreeze and it needs it even in Winter weather as if full of air from a leak or vapors from a head gasket problem it just can't cool even in the cold weather.
Where was the smoke? Out tailpipe or underhood? Engine weakness could be fouling plugs or loss of compression. Do spend some time diagnosing it before blaming a big job like a head gasket job and get some ideas just how extensive it is.
A clue of low antifreeze/coolant is heater may quit working oddly but it won't throw heat if full of vapor/air for any reason,
T
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MikeyAli
New User
Sep 17, 2010, 8:53 AM
Post #3 of 5
(3481 views)
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Re: Honda Civic (1994) overheating
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Thanks for your advice,
the smoke was coming from under the hood.
Will have a better look in the morning to sus out and narrow down the possibilities
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 17, 2010, 9:44 AM
Post #4 of 5
(3473 views)
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Re: Honda Civic (1994) overheating
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Cross your fingers that it's just a hose or easy leak. Remember if filling for even testing don't exceed 50% antifreeze and water. If all checks out and you find a plain leak then check spark plugs or replace them. Note if one or two look different than the others and which cylinder they came from. May get lucky and this is just something easy and cheap.
How cold are you dealing with? It can snow like mad here but not usually cold until snow storm is done and too early for here still,
T
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MikeyAli
New User
Sep 17, 2010, 10:54 AM
Post #5 of 5
(3467 views)
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Re: Honda Civic (1994) overheating
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I actually live in Australia and we've just come out of winter so its still snowing where i live.
Negative celcius.
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