Over Heating
Honda Civic Engine Overheated - Head Gasket Bad?
By AustinDavis
May 28, 2008, 09:47

Reader Question Austin, Hi, I have a 2000 Civic 1.6L. I drove it way too much while the temp. gauge was in the red and overheated it. I took it to a Firestone dealer. They said the water pump was leaking(which is the cause of the overheating) and the radiator melted to the point where you could not take off the cap.

I approved them to do all the work. They also checked the compression and did a block test which both checked ok. After the repairs the engine ran fine.

I drove 300 miles and it ran hot again. I took it to another Firestone dealer and they said the fans were not working correctly and replaced them. Shortly thereafter it ran hot again and I took it to another Firestone dealer. They said the head gasket was no good causing the running hot.

I have a question. Is it possible for a head gasket to be bad/weak to the point that it would perform OK for a few hundred miles then run hot again?

Thank you,

Charles



Hello there Charles,


Take this vehicle to the Honda dealer to get a proper diagnosis. Firestone is great for tires and oil changes but I would NOT use them for anything that required any real mechanic know how or diagnosis. You need to get a "cooling system pressure test" first! This is simple and cheap and can be done while you wait. This test will also test for a blown head gasket.


Yes, the headgasket leak COULD run fine for a while without any troubles, but I have a feeling something else is happening here. Although, overheating this small aluminum engine is NOT good news at all and you would be super lucky if you did NOT do internal engine damage already.

You did not mention anything in your email that would indicate a blown head gasket, but if by chance the dealer suspects that is what is happening you might want to try this suggestion I talk about first before sinking more money into this vehicle

Head Gasket Repair


Blessings,

Austin Davis




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