Rep Power: 0

SO I got a 98 civic 2.2 and it is pushing fluid out radiator. It's boiling and bubbling out almost like there would be air but I 've tried all I can to get it out. I just replaced thermostat and coolant flushed rad and heater core. could it be the coolant sensor not reading correct I didn't hear or see the fan today But it has come on before. A friend tested the coolant with a fluid reading thing and there was no gas oil or exhaust fumes detected. No water in oil. temp gauge never goes past normal. it also shoots out of rad if you start with no cap or rev engine with no cap. other than this it runs fine.

 
Rep Power: 518

Swap?

I assume you mean it shoots out like a geyser.....That screams blown head gasket.


Set it up to do this as a test.
Fill the radiator, leave the cap off.
Remove all 4 spark plugs and disconnect the distributor wiring to cancel spark.
Crank it.
Does it belch coolant? (it should not)

Install ONE spark plug in cylinder #1. Crank it. Does it belch?
Move that spark plug to the next cylinder and crank it again. Does it belch?

Repeat for the rest of the cylinders.

When you find the one that makes it belch fluid out, that's the blown one. Pull the head off LOL

 
Rep Power: 0

lol i mean 1.6... I was thinking of another car. I will try that tomorrow. thanks any chance of coolant sensor causing it to get to hot? I want to check fan also.

 
Rep Power: 518

Sure. I was going with the geyser effect though. How high does it shoot out?Jumper the fan switch wires and see if it turns the fan on (key on). If it runs the fan, then the next step is to make sure the temp switch is good.

 
Rep Power: 0

Fan worked when i hooked it to battery. anyway to test sensor? I want to do the spark plug test to ..

 
Rep Power: 210

Are you losing coolant from the radiator and gaining too much coolant in the overflow tank?
If so, another sign of blown head gasket.

you can rent a block tester (free loaner tools) from Autozone or O' Reilly's and buy the test fluid for $9. Follow instructions and if blue dye turns yellow your gasket is blown head gasket.

 
Rep Power: 518

You only checked the fan motor? That leaves a lot of possible problem areas untested.

Try what I suggested. My check below makes sure the wiring, fuses, and fan relays all work at the same time.

If the fan runs while doing my test, then all that's left is the fan temp switch to test.
If this test did not cause the fan to operate, you need to find out why. Fuses, relays, wiring?

Process of elimination,
pot of boiling water and an ohm meter,
infrared temp gun and scanner while running....

 
Rep Power: 0

my buddy did this test and the coolant didn't change.

 
Rep Power: 0

how do I jump the wires?

 
Rep Power: 0

ok so I jumped fan switch and everything worked .. pulled the plugs an one by one put them in no coolant came out until all the plugs were in. I then did the last cylinder and took the rest out again had a a little come out not much . so does that mean gasket is bad? found a really good video by the way to.

 
Rep Power: 518

You never did tell just how high the water will shoot out.

I've been picturing a geyser shooting out of the radiator, maybe your version of the story is different?

Handy picture of a geyser: