I have a 1998 honda civic lx. It's overheating. I replaced my thermostat & gasket. It's still overheating. The upper radiator hose is hot when the engine is warm, & the engine warms up as usual. The only other obvious thing I see is that I didn't have my coolant reservoir attached (the reservoir where excess coolant would go into) and where the hose would connect to the coolant reservoir, it's plugged with a screw (my mechanic did that when my car had gotten into an accident awhile ago. It was working fine when I got it back except that the engine would get hotter than normal, but then would get to normal operating temperature, and it was like that for awhile. I started getting sick of it fluctuating and wanted the engine to stay at normal operating temp. and stop fluctuating from normal to really hot, which is why I decided to change the thermostat. Ever since I changed the thermostat though, my engine would get really hot up to overheating and wouldn't fluctuate back down to normal.) Today, I'm getting a hose to reconnect my coolant reservoir to the radiator - could this be the culprit? As I mentioned, my car was operating fine, although it kept fluctuating from normal to hot, until I changed my thermostat, then it kept on getting hot to overheating. My upper radiator hose is hot, I see no coolant leaks... could the lack of the coolant reservoir be the culprit? If not, what else could it be? Thank you & have a good day.

This link may help you:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-46563-3.html#post235973

Have your radiator checked--it may need to be replaced, due to corrosion or mineral buildup. Definitely fix the overflow tank.

This link may help you:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-46563-3.html#post235973

Have your radiator checked--it may need to be replaced, due to corrosion or mineral buildup. Definitely fix the overflow tank.

Hello:

Thank you for your fast response. I had put on the overflow tank and that kept it from overheating. However, at times, my gauge keeps fluctuating from normal towards hot, but it doesn't quite get all the way up to hot. So I'm going to get a new radiator. Should I get a new condenser as well - basically should I just redo my whole cooling system (radiator, condenser, fans, hoses, etc.)? Thank you & have a good day.

Just radiator. Condenser goes to the air conditioning system.

Hi,
My 98 honda civic lx is overheating. I change the water pump and its still overheating. The fan works. When my husband open my hood the water was bubbling. Do I need a new head gasket or check my raditor. Please help...

If it overheated badly, the head may have warped and the head gasket may have blown. When this happens, it's common for valve damage, too. If this did not happen, try replacing the radiator. Phosphate scale may be blocking passages in the radiator. Refill with a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and distilled water.

I flush the radiator and its still over heating. I have no clue what's wrong with my car, I haven't check the head gasket it. Please help.

Nak, consider replacing the radiator--passages may be blocked by phosphate scale. If the engine overheated badly, however, the aluminum head may be warped, head gasket blown, and valves damaged. Repairs could easily run $2,700. First, remove the spark plugs and check each cylinder's compression--then, you can decide what to do.