'90 Honda Civic cooling problem, DIY radiator installation questions

(Seven) spake unto the masses in

<snip>


This does not sound like a rad problem at all. How's the coolant level? Has
it been bled properly using the bleed bolt on the upper rad hose?

Do you notice the reservoir level mysteriously going UP?

If the coolant level is fine, it sounds more like something electrical,
Like maybe the TW switch being bad, its wiring corroded or something else
electrical.

 

(Seven) spake unto the masses in

<snip>


This does not sound like a rad problem at all. How's the coolant level? Has
it been bled properly using the bleed bolt on the upper rad hose?

Do you notice the reservoir level mysteriously going UP?

If the coolant level is fine, it sounds more like something electrical,
Like maybe the TW switch being bad, its wiring corroded or something else
electrical.

 

Sorry, forgot to mention I had the timing belt and water pump changed
July 2002 at Honda and only put about 12,000 miles on it since then,
so I don't feel a need to change the water pump.

Thanks,
Chris

 

Sorry, forgot to mention I had the timing belt and water pump changed
July 2002 at Honda and only put about 12,000 miles on it since then,
so I don't feel a need to change the water pump.

Thanks,
Chris

 

Sorry, forgot to mention I had the timing belt and water pump changed
July 2002 at Honda and only put about 12,000 miles on it since then,
so I don't feel a need to change the water pump.

Thanks,
Chris

 

I never checked this. I was going to after the new radiator
installation because, like I said earlier, the damn radiator fins are
disintegrating! So regardless of what's causing the problem, I need to
replace the radiator. Just wondering if it could possibly be the
thermostat that's really the cause of the problem. I guess it could be
the TW switch, so I will check that after the radiator is replaced.
Any tips on checking that?

Thanks,
Chris

 

I never checked this. I was going to after the new radiator
installation because, like I said earlier, the damn radiator fins are
disintegrating! So regardless of what's causing the problem, I need to
replace the radiator. Just wondering if it could possibly be the
thermostat that's really the cause of the problem. I guess it could be
the TW switch, so I will check that after the radiator is replaced.
Any tips on checking that?

Thanks,
Chris

 

I never checked this. I was going to after the new radiator
installation because, like I said earlier, the damn radiator fins are
disintegrating! So regardless of what's causing the problem, I need to
replace the radiator. Just wondering if it could possibly be the
thermostat that's really the cause of the problem. I guess it could be
the TW switch, so I will check that after the radiator is replaced.
Any tips on checking that?

Thanks,
Chris

 

Chris,
I am now wandering what made the fins on the radiator go bad. Do you live
in a state that receives lots of snow? If so, I wander if the salt used on
the road to melt the snow and ice managed to get on your radiator. Did you
drive into some standing water on the road and did the water coat the
front of your car? If so, that could explain why your radiator fins are
now in bad condition. If that did not happen--it could be a factory
defect. You might want to talk to the service manager at the local Honda
dealership to determine whether or not there have been in recalls on your
vehicle. You may be able to find that sort of information on the internet.
Try this site
http://www.alldata.com/
also
www.recalldata.org

 

Chris,
I am now wandering what made the fins on the radiator go bad. Do you live
in a state that receives lots of snow? If so, I wander if the salt used on
the road to melt the snow and ice managed to get on your radiator. Did you
drive into some standing water on the road and did the water coat the
front of your car? If so, that could explain why your radiator fins are
now in bad condition. If that did not happen--it could be a factory
defect. You might want to talk to the service manager at the local Honda
dealership to determine whether or not there have been in recalls on your
vehicle. You may be able to find that sort of information on the internet.
Try this site
http://www.alldata.com/
also
www.recalldata.org

 

Chris,
I am now wandering what made the fins on the radiator go bad. Do you live
in a state that receives lots of snow? If so, I wander if the salt used on
the road to melt the snow and ice managed to get on your radiator. Did you
drive into some standing water on the road and did the water coat the
front of your car? If so, that could explain why your radiator fins are
now in bad condition. If that did not happen--it could be a factory
defect. You might want to talk to the service manager at the local Honda
dealership to determine whether or not there have been in recalls on your
vehicle. You may be able to find that sort of information on the internet.
Try this site
http://www.alldata.com/
also
www.recalldata.org

 

(Tom Wilson) spake unto the masses in

This is normal. If you live in an area that gets snow, it's only a matter
of time before the fins corrode away. Very common up here.

You have to lose a good chunk of the fins before cooling is noticeably
affected, like a third of them. Usually you get a hole in the middle bottom
of the rad that goes dusty and falls out. It's that "bottom-feeder" grille
that does it.

 

(Tom Wilson) spake unto the masses in

This is normal. If you live in an area that gets snow, it's only a matter
of time before the fins corrode away. Very common up here.

You have to lose a good chunk of the fins before cooling is noticeably
affected, like a third of them. Usually you get a hole in the middle bottom
of the rad that goes dusty and falls out. It's that "bottom-feeder" grille
that does it.

 

(Tom Wilson) spake unto the masses in

This is normal. If you live in an area that gets snow, it's only a matter
of time before the fins corrode away. Very common up here.

You have to lose a good chunk of the fins before cooling is noticeably
affected, like a third of them. Usually you get a hole in the middle bottom
of the rad that goes dusty and falls out. It's that "bottom-feeder" grille
that does it.

 

|Do you think that the radiator is the root of the problem with the
|symptoms I am having?

Sounds more like a cooling fan isn't coming on. Could be the fan, or the switch
that controls it. May also be a relay in the circuit.


|1) Is the work involved too much for a backyard
|mechanic

No. relatively straightforward.

|2) Do I need any special tools the average backyard
|mechanic would not have access to?

A varied vocabulary is probably useful.
Bandaids.

|3) How much will a new radiator be (price range)?

Should be able to get it for under $100
Call around, prices vary wildly and it's a competitive market.

|4) Should I purchase a Honda radiator?

There are only a few manufacturers, all are of good quality.

|5) Can I do the job in a day? Will I need more than myself to do it?

One day should be easy. Do the hoses and anything else - fan motors? - at the
same time.

|6) Any other advice you can give regarding the specifics about
|radiator replacement in Honda Civics of this vintage.

Use the steps listed in the shop manual or a Haynes.
Proper sequence will keep you from doing something twice, orhaving to force one
thing past another. see "vocabulary", above.

Good luck
Rex in Fort Worth

 

|Do you think that the radiator is the root of the problem with the
|symptoms I am having?

Sounds more like a cooling fan isn't coming on. Could be the fan, or the switch
that controls it. May also be a relay in the circuit.


|1) Is the work involved too much for a backyard
|mechanic

No. relatively straightforward.

|2) Do I need any special tools the average backyard
|mechanic would not have access to?

A varied vocabulary is probably useful.
Bandaids.

|3) How much will a new radiator be (price range)?

Should be able to get it for under $100
Call around, prices vary wildly and it's a competitive market.

|4) Should I purchase a Honda radiator?

There are only a few manufacturers, all are of good quality.

|5) Can I do the job in a day? Will I need more than myself to do it?

One day should be easy. Do the hoses and anything else - fan motors? - at the
same time.

|6) Any other advice you can give regarding the specifics about
|radiator replacement in Honda Civics of this vintage.

Use the steps listed in the shop manual or a Haynes.
Proper sequence will keep you from doing something twice, orhaving to force one
thing past another. see "vocabulary", above.

Good luck
Rex in Fort Worth

 

|Do you think that the radiator is the root of the problem with the
|symptoms I am having?

Sounds more like a cooling fan isn't coming on. Could be the fan, or the switch
that controls it. May also be a relay in the circuit.


|1) Is the work involved too much for a backyard
|mechanic

No. relatively straightforward.

|2) Do I need any special tools the average backyard
|mechanic would not have access to?

A varied vocabulary is probably useful.
Bandaids.

|3) How much will a new radiator be (price range)?

Should be able to get it for under $100
Call around, prices vary wildly and it's a competitive market.

|4) Should I purchase a Honda radiator?

There are only a few manufacturers, all are of good quality.

|5) Can I do the job in a day? Will I need more than myself to do it?

One day should be easy. Do the hoses and anything else - fan motors? - at the
same time.

|6) Any other advice you can give regarding the specifics about
|radiator replacement in Honda Civics of this vintage.

Use the steps listed in the shop manual or a Haynes.
Proper sequence will keep you from doing something twice, orhaving to force one
thing past another. see "vocabulary", above.

Good luck
Rex in Fort Worth

 

i agree with TeGGeR®, this sounds like a low coolant problem, i had a
very similar expierence, i would suggest topping off yuour coolant
level and reserve tank before doing anything major.

 

i agree with TeGGeR®, this sounds like a low coolant problem, i had a
very similar expierence, i would suggest topping off yuour coolant
level and reserve tank before doing anything major.

 

i agree with TeGGeR®, this sounds like a low coolant problem, i had a
very similar expierence, i would suggest topping off yuour coolant
level and reserve tank before doing anything major.