Geoff_Geoff

Okay, This is confusing the hell out of me. I know this very well may be a head gasket issue, but I just wanted to post about it to get some feed back incase I am wrong.
For sometime now my 04 Honda Civic has had cold air from the heater, even when at running temperature. It would get hot eventually while driving, but at idle its pretty luke warm. Also, I would add a splash of coolant to the radiator every time I would fill up for gas. Yesterday while pulling away from a stop sign I noticed the temp gauge rising, so I pulled off the road and turned the car off before it came anywhere near the red line. 5 min. later I started it up and drove home 5/10 min across town. No issue, normal temp reading. I looked under the hood and noticed the reservoir was full and sprayed a bit of coolant over the fan etc. So I took the rad cap off and bleed the system. Lots of burping and running time later bubbles seems to have stopped rising. The engine temp gauge actually dropped significantly for a little while until eventually returning to normal. I didn't notice any bubbling of the coolant in the reservoir. I took it for a test drive. Lots of heat while driving, not so much at idle. It would get hot when I stepped on the gas. When I returned home 10/15 min later I check the hoses. The top was hot and the one coming from the thermostat was cold. Also, during all this. I never seen the cooling fan come on. I find it pretty unlikely that the fan is busted. So my thoughts are to change the thermostat. One other thing. After I returned from my test drive i noticed a few tiny bubbles in the coolant reservoir coming up. Today I purged and burped the system again after taking all the excess coolant out of the overflow. The car took a long time to warm up. it ran for at least 20 min and was still not at proper running temp. didn't notice any bubbles after purging the system again… thoughts? Also a couple other little things. whenever I would take the rad cap off to add coolant there would be pressure behind the cap. even if the car sat over night. This normal? or is that a sign of a defective rad cap as well. LAST but not least, I would hear gurgling noises from inside the car when I would take off from stop lights/signs. I appreciate any help! i know there is a million threads about this, and I read them all. Just seems like there is a lot of different little things going on with my car to make it way harder to just pinpoint.

Poopies

iTrader: (4)

PRETTY sure it's the HG. I'm sure ezone or someone who has seen it before will verify this.

bsmiley

Geoff,
You most likely have already identified what the problem is. You can remove your thermostat and make sure its working. Boil some water and drop it in to check that it opens. Do not put your thermostat in a cup of water and attempt to microwave it. Boil the water first, then place thermostat in the water, just saying.

Sounds like your coolant is being pushed out of your reservoir. If the system was sealed it wouldn't be pushing coolant out of the reservoir.
You don't even need to search the threads, there are a few with links to Ezone's test methods right on the main thread page.
I hope you change the head gasket yourself and it might be the best time to go ahead and do your timing belt & water pump while your at it.
Good luck, use the DIYs and take your time.

mikey1

head gasket, for sure

Geoff_Geoff

thats what Im thinking too, damn. I was hoping maybe it wasn't since there was so many other little problems. I will be doing it myself yes. I build motorcycles so Im pretty mechanically incline. Just never done a job like this on a car before. The problem is I live in Montreal and its -25 outside these days! going to have to wait till it gets warmer outside. Ill check the thermostat in water tomorrow. thanks everyone!

Geoff_Geoff

also, what and where is ezone? i suck at navigating this site...

ezone

That's a me.
I have a real daytime job. I can't hang out and derp here all day.

Sounds like a head gasket to me too.

Geoff_Geoff

oh haha, k cool, thanks again everyone. I will study the DIY and replace it myself

ezone

Find the 'overheating common causes reference' thread and check out the first post, see how I diagnose and prove head gasket problems on these.

Poopies

iTrader: (4)

xRiCeBoYx

iTrader: (22)

Poppycock.

bsmiley

Poppycock? What gives? Spending quality time at the assisted living center? Been watching a lot of PBS mystery theater? Taking Geritol supplements from 1980? (tip: that stuff is expired)

Who are you mystery person and what have you done to xRiceBoYx?

xRiCeBoYx

iTrader: (22)

ezone

Someone needs to empty my drool cup....








EDIT: I can't find a good pic of someone wearing a drool cup on teh googles!

Poopies

iTrader: (4)

ezone

I saw that one several times, but it wasn't what I had in mind.