Rep Power: 0

Just got a 2002 Honda Civic DX 1.7l 5spd D17a last Friday. Car had trouble when starting after it was warm, fixed it... It was coolant temp sensor. Next was knock sensor since there was a code for it. After fixing both those I have 0 codes. Next problem is the headers... Theres no gasket so its just leaking out the top like crazy and my STFT is up at 40% at idle and driving speed. Smells like fuel in the engine bay... I drove it around my area for like 10 minutes... It stayed at 180 for the first part and then by the time I stopped in my driveway and checked again it was at 200 and was going up to 205 as I sat. I did notice that the radiator fan was not spinning... Maybe thats my issue? I have driven this car maybe 10 miles so Im not sure on coolant loss or anything really... It drives fine from what I can tell... Just has a sputter at idle from the fuel trims I believe... And the coolant... Im checking coolant temps by my obd2 app. What temp is "too hot" to where I turn off before engine damage? I am gonna do a timing belt soon, trying to see if head gasket is needed... Coolant thermostat is 170 on the car so why is it up at 205? Is it just because of non working fan or...? I only sat for maybe a minute. I guess I need more test driving... im hoping fuel trims is the huge header leak. Im mainly worried on head gasket since if its that and I need a head mill itll be a few weeks... ahhhh

Any replies are much appreciated. Brand new to Civics... Love how it drives and sounds (Straight piped for the moment) but ouch... Im worried about my wallet. I learn my mechanic stuff off youtube and forums so I dont need a shop to get this fixed besides just the head mill...

 
Rep Power: 367

check the temps on OBD2 when the dash temp needle is at the middle. That is where it should be.
Above that is abnormal and need attention.

You will need to ask the engine metal what is too hot, sorry. My engine might survive, someone else might not. Who knows.

 
Rep Power: 0

Well when it was at 205 it was maybe a tick or two below the middle. Just not sure of how accurate my needle is. It starts at the bottom normally since the sensor replace but I dont trust sensors after working on my Blazer for a year lol

I just hope previous owner hasnt overheated it... Guess I need to drive it longer to figure out if it even overheats... If it doesnt then I bet last owner hasnt because I can tell he hasnt touched anything on it... Oil looks good but everything else is just filthy.

 
Rep Power: 367

easy test for gasket (the most common cause for overheating in these engines - clear this one first and foremost, especially if you are losing coolant and coolant reservoir is full of coolant)

thread about it
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/3...reference.html

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks man! I'm just going to hope maybe I'm just overreacting. Going to test this and fix the radiator fan and hope for the best... Gonna hope maybe when it hit 205 it was just about to start cooling down or something. New to these vehicles and wanna make sure this one lasts. Been a blast the 10 miles I have driven it 😁

 
Rep Power: 0

Well... I didnt do the test you sent me. Dont have those tools... But my observation... I fixed the fan sensor and bled the radiator of bubbles until they stopped for a good 10 minutes... Went to drive it with full cold blasting and it was about 194F cruising at 65MPH and at a light it would hit 199F then go down to 195F. Id assume this is good seen as its 94F out here in Kentucky. I think Im just gonna quit worrying about head gasket and just drive it til I notice major temp changes. The temp gauge never even went up to the half way point on the gauge so we should be good. Just gonna get DENSO radiator cap and thermostat and call it a day there. Then do timing belt and water pump and should hopefully be good for some time. I have a valve train tick (Not super loud but noticeable with hood open and lil bit with hood closed) which Im not sure how to fix but thisll all be a good learning experience. Anything else I should do? Any ideas on valve train tick? Besides this Im very excited!! Love this Honda already haha

 
Rep Power: 367

take to a shop and ask them to do the test.
If you are going to do the timing belt and water pump, that is the time to do the gasket if it is about to go. removing the head is just a step away from the belt/pump
if the gasket goes, you will need to push the timing belt away anyway.