Rep Power: 0

i have 96 EJ8. put in a new radiator about 2 months ago and didnt bleed it. so a couple days ago it starts overheating. my buddy showed me how to bleed it and ive done it several times and still it overheats. but as soon as you stop take the cap off and run it without the cap it wont overheat. is there a bleeder valve on civics or no? i finally bled it for about the 4th time today and it seems to be ok for now. jus waiting to drive it tomorrow in the heat and we'll see whats up. anyone have a diff version of bleeding the system besides letting it run with the cap off and keep on topping off till the bubbles are gone then flipping the heater on? maybe i got bad info? maybe its another problem? appreciate it. thanks!

 
Rep Power: 0

There are a ton of threads about overheating out there to look at, so if I don't cover something that helps then do some more searching...

Bleeding technique seems to be: 1. Park on an incline so that the front of the car is higher than the rear of the car. 2. Take the radiator cap off. 3. Turn the heat on to hot(also turn on A/C if you have it because it will make the engine warm up faster. Doesn't matter what fan speed you select.). 4. Start the car. 5. Let the engine warm up. 6. Add properly mixed fluid as needed. 6. Keep topping off until the radiator fan has run at least twice.

I did that after I replaced my radiator and still had some strange overheating situations. I went to the store and got some Redline Water Wetter and added about 1/3 of a bottle to the anti-freeze in the cooling system. Since that time I have not had a single overheat. Temps stay steady at just under the half mark, even in 90+ degree days in stop and go traffic with the A/C on.

If you still have overheating problems try to figure out if you are losing coolant. If you have to keep adding over and over again, then it's getting out somewhere. Lots of places for it to get away: anywhere from the radiator, hoses, engine block, water pump, head gaskets, etc...

Good luck!

 
Rep Power: 0

well since i bled it yesterday its been fine. but i had been topping itoff with water the last couple days as i bled it. ima drain the radiator this weekend and thro in 50/50 and ill look into getting tht additive. thanks for the reply!

 
Rep Power: 0

It might be a good idea to check and monitor your coolant overflow tank to see if:
1. Coolant level rises after shutting engine off (hot).
2. Coolant level falls after engine cools down.
If this is happening chances are you are not pressurizing coolant system via a blown head gasket. If the head gasket is leaking it is quite possible that the pressure will constantly "push" coolant out of the engine, (really bad) and you will run low on coolant, this in turn will cause your fan sensor switch to not see the temperature rise and your fan will not turn on....(really, really bad).....You can also buy a "test kit" from auto parts store that will detect the presense of combustion gases in the radiator....Good Luck....

 
Rep Power: 208

Could be a bad thermostat. Is your fan working? Why are you so sure it has to do with bleeding the coolant?

 
Rep Power: 0

i changed thermostat right before i changed the radiator. i cant see any coolant leaking from anywhere. but i bled it like 6 times and finally it stopped overheating.

 
Rep Power: 208

Might just be a pin sized hole in the radiator hose. Try inspecting it again, pay extra attention round the clamps. You could try replacing the hoses or at least the top one. They don't cost that much and deteriorate over time anyway.

Remember to squeeze it and touch it, a lot of people just "observe" and don't really inspect.