Thermostat Issue
Thermostat Issue
Just happened tonight, was driving home from work and realized my heat wasn’t working adequately. my car drives fine, heat on full blast (it’s winter here in canada and it’s cold here lol). heat only worked when cruising but when idle it blew cold. engine didn’t over heat at all. checked the lower rad hose when i got home and it was ice cold
)).
i checked my coolant yesterday and it was all good. green and clear. coolant res and rad were full.
I did replace the thermostat a few months ago and bled the system. it’s been fine until now.
head gasket might be failing tho cuz i’ve been having overheating/cooling issue for about 5 months now. all my remedies don’t seem to do much in the long term lmao.
could it be just a bad thermostat?
)). i checked my coolant yesterday and it was all good. green and clear. coolant res and rad were full.
I did replace the thermostat a few months ago and bled the system. it’s been fine until now.
head gasket might be failing tho cuz i’ve been having overheating/cooling issue for about 5 months now. all my remedies don’t seem to do much in the long term lmao.
could it be just a bad thermostat?
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 21,620
Likes: 1,252
From: Las Vegas, NV
Rep Power: 511 










Re: Thermostat Issue
Could always pull the thermostat and test it at home. Toss it in a pot of water with a thermometer to monitor temps, toss it on the stove, heat it up, then visually inspect it to see if it opens/closes when it's supposed to. You might not be able to physically check how far open it is, but you can eyeball it and see if it opens about 1cm.
For americans looking at this in the future...
OE spec:
Begins to open @168.8°-176°F
Fully open @194°F
Lift@full open 0.315" (just shy of 3/8" if you need a reference, though most Americans should be able to visualize 1cm. the difference between 1cm and 8mm is damn close to being the difference between 3/8" and .315")
For americans looking at this in the future...
OE spec:
Begins to open @168.8°-176°F
Fully open @194°F
Lift@full open 0.315" (just shy of 3/8" if you need a reference, though most Americans should be able to visualize 1cm. the difference between 1cm and 8mm is damn close to being the difference between 3/8" and .315")
OF top 99.5% creator (Formerly of the Puffinblunts variety)
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,634
Likes: 109
Rep Power: 210 










Re: Thermostat Issue
Likely a breeched head gasket with the issues you listed. "head gasket might be failing tho cuz i’ve been having overheating/cooling issue for about 5 months now. all my remedies don’t seem to do much in the long term lmao."
From cold start remove radiator cap and when the engine gets to operating temp watch for bubbles in the radiator neck. A head gasket can breech in different ways (check the link in my signature at the bottom of my reply). A $10 (for test fluid) Block Test/carbon dioxide test (tester is free rental at parts stores) might prove a breech if combustion gases are entering the coolant.
From cold start remove radiator cap and when the engine gets to operating temp watch for bubbles in the radiator neck. A head gasket can breech in different ways (check the link in my signature at the bottom of my reply). A $10 (for test fluid) Block Test/carbon dioxide test (tester is free rental at parts stores) might prove a breech if combustion gases are entering the coolant.
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
byzelo
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
5
Jan 17, 2016 07:34 PM
vdubbin95
7th Generation Civic 2001 - 2005
3
Mar 30, 2015 12:14 PM
arbowman
Overheating or loss of coolant, heater blowing cold
22
Jan 3, 2014 09:09 PM
mr22508
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
2
Nov 26, 2008 06:28 PM




