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I just changed the thermostat in my 2000 Civic LX D16y7 (252,000 miles). I bled the system using one of those over sized funnels. The bubbles would stop for a while but every once in a while a few would bubble up in the fluid, stop and then nothing then every few minutes maybe (3 to 7) another bubble. I did lift the fron end of the car while I was bleeding the system. The motor ran during bleedig for about 30 minutes then I took it out for a ten minute drive. The temp remained constant.
What I want to know is do the bubbles mean a head gasket issue? Or is that the finnel is not making a perfect seal and allowing air in?
I have a couple of long drives planned for this week and I am wondering if over time the car will over heat after several hours driving?

More info: The car never over heats but it did a few years ago do to a faulty fan. I DO however have to add some coolant every now and then. Also no other signs of a head gaskey issue at all.

Thanks in advance

 
Rep Power: 367

Are you lifting front of car during bleeding?

this is worse on 7th gen cars, but appears to happen on 6th gen as well.

pushing coolant through overflow reservoir is the main indication of head gasket.otherwise, do the test on the first video

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/3...reference.html

 
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Yes I lifted the front up...and I filled the overflow to the max line while the car was hot just after I burped the system.

Here is some additional info:

• drove the car yesterday, 350 miles straight through. Stopped to get gas (37 MPG btw). Car ran flawlessly.
  
• I drove it another 100 miles no issues and got to my destination.
  
• I immediately opened the hood to make sure everything was ok. The radiator was pushing fluid into the overflow bottle and the bottle was completely full.
  
• I opened the overflow bottle smelled the fluid but it didn't smell like exhaust gas.
  
• Oil looked fine
• Today car started with no issues
• The overflow was still full and coolant was still visible inside the radiator
  

I have another 2200 miles to go on my road trip and I am wondering what your thoughts are in pushing on

 
Rep Power: 367

This basically spells headgasket breach for D- series engines. "The radiator was pushing fluid into the overflow bottle and the bottle was completely full."
If you are not overheating yet, it is at this point a small breach.
I drove the car for 6 months after I noticed that the overflow was full and spewing coolant. Then drove from Montreal QC to Nashville TN with car full of my moving stuff.
I was lucky and it did not overheat.
Came back, put car in garage. Changed the gasket and have been fine.
You have a headgasket job in your future. Most people are in denial it is the gasket, until they do the test that is in the video in the link. It seems you are just one more... [Why do you think I took the time to write that thread? Every summer, tons of D-Series overheating...]

 
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Thanks...I am not in denial I am wondering if I can make the full trip. I will do the head gasket when I get back home.from this trip.

 
Rep Power: 367

g'lucky, know the feeling

 
Rep Power: 222

As long as you keep an eye on the level you should be fine