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trishgose · Aug 15, 2007, 08:14 PM

I have a 96 Civic, 4 cylinder. Since it has been warm (hot) it has been running warm. It doesn't overheat but gets up there. This happens only when driving in town, stops, just not moving a lot. It also seems to vapor lock. When it is getting hot and I end up turning off the engine, run inside then try to start again it will not start for 30-40 minutes. Last weekend when it did this I opened the hood and the top radiator hose was collapsed, or sucked in. I replaced the radiator hose, drove it and it was fine. Checked and added some coolant. That day it was fine but then next day the temp gauge was creeping up again. I added some Heat to my full gas tank, as was suggested by my neighbior. I don't have the problem on the highway so I continued to drive it to work. Today I left work, drove about 15 miles and stopped at the gas station. It wouldn't start for 40 minutes. Once I got it to start I drove back the 15 miles and it ran fine. I parked it, turned it back on and left the store. I got a few blocks and hit a red light. When I tried to leave the light it hesitated then jumped through.. kind of hiccuping. It did that at every light and then was jumping on the highway also. Got home, oil was running low. Filled the oil, added some oil additive (STP?) and drove around town. It was still running warm. I got home and parked it but let it idle for awhile. Any time I turn the air on it seems to be a drain. It will run for awhile, then dies. It runs longer without the a/c on but still ends up dying when idle. I am out of ideas. It seems like the fuel injector, thermostat, something but I can't figure out what is causing all of this. Help! I can't afford much of anything, let alone having someone troubleshoot it. I have tried finding the Electronic Control Unit but can't seem to locate a silver box under the carpet on the passenger side. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place? I need a fast fix or some ideas that I can try to check on my own.

TxGreaseMonkey · Aug 16, 2007, 07:32 AM

. There may be corrosion or mineral buildup in the radiator. It may need to be rodded or replaced.
. Stop using STP and only use 5W-30 engine oil, preferably full-synthetic. Engines run cooler with synthetics, due to their higher coefficient of heat.
. Read the link below:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post235973

trishgose · Aug 23, 2007, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by trishgose

I have a 96 Civic, 4 cylinder. Since it has been warm (hot) it has been running warm. It doesn't overheat but gets up there. This happens only when driving in town, stops, just not moving a lot. It also seems to vapor lock. When it is getting hot and I end up turning off the engine, run inside then try to start again it will not start for 30-40 minutes. Last weekend when it did this I opened the hood and the top radiator hose was collapsed, or sucked in. I replaced the radiator hose, drove it and it was fine. Checked and added some coolant. That day it was fine but then next day the temp gauge was creeping up again. I added some Heat to my full gas tank, as was suggested by my neighbior. I don't have the problem on the highway so I continued to drive it to work. Today I left work, drove about 15 miles and stopped at the gas station. It wouldn't start for 40 minutes. Once I got it to start I drove back the 15 miles and it ran fine. I parked it, turned it back on and left the store. I got a few blocks and hit a red light. When I tried to leave the light it hesitated then jumped through.. kind of hiccuping. It did that at every light and then was jumping on the highway also. Got home, oil was running low. Filled the oil, added some oil additive (STP?) and drove around town. It was still running warm. I got home and parked it but let it idle for awhile. Any time I turn the air on it seems to be a drain. It will run for awhile, then dies. It runs longer without the a/c on but still ends up dying when idle. I am out of ideas. It seems like the fuel injector, thermostat, something but I can't figure out what is causing all of this. Help! I can't afford much of anything, let alone having someone troubleshoot it. I have tried finding the Electronic Control Unit but can't seem to locate a silver box under the carpet on the passenger side. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place? I need a fast fix or some ideas that I can try to check on my own.

Okay - oil change helped the rough running. It still gets warm when idle. Doesn't overheat, but again, gets warm. This morning I started it, it bumped around like it usually does, drove a few blocks and it died. It took a minute to re-start. Got the kids dropped off and headed to the shop. Battery tested fine, meaning alternator should be good because I was just driving a matter of blocks. I am going to lose my mind with this thing. Is it possibly a fuel pump issue? Again, I can't find the ECU and am at a complete loss. Probably more than one problem going on here.

TxGreaseMonkey · Aug 23, 2007, 07:11 AM

. Check for codes--AutoZone will do this for free.
. Replace spark plugs (NGK only), rotor, and distributor cap. If the problem persists, you may want to remove the Ignition Control Module and coil--AutoZone will also test these for free.
. Replace fuel filter. It's very unlikely the fuel pump is bad.