1995 Civic EX D16Z6 1.6 VTEC is overheating, in a way.

My friend bought a 2005 Civic Hybrid. I'm either going to buy or help her sell the '95.

Within 3 freeway miles of the dealership where I picked up the '95, the coolant temp guage was pegged @ H. I cut the engine and coasted to the side of the freeway. No sight, sound nor smell of overheating but there was a small amount of coolant splashed onto the radiator. Back on freeway, all good, temp seemed normal, about 1/3 of the gauge's sweep and stayed there the rest of the day.

I called my friend for the history but she was oblivious to the problem.

Seemed to me that the thermostat was sticking so I replaced it. Seemed to fix the problem, as I ran the engine for at least 45 minutes with normal cooling system function; guage, thermostat, water pump and fan all work.

Ran some errands. No problems until, again, I got on the freeway within 3 minutes of a 10-15 minute stop in town. Same scenario as after leaving the dealer.

Spent some more time on it and discovered that the radiator has a hairline crack that seems to only leak when pressure builds. A new radiator arrived today and may possibly go in tomorrow afternoon. I won't have time this weekend.

I have a theory but I want to hear what the minds here at HCF have to say (more entertaining). Will replacing the radiator fix the problem that I described?

 

sounds like it will. my friend had the same problem. it only leaked when he got on the throttle on the highway and then the engine ran a fever. replaced the radiator, ran like a champ. it should work - hairline cracks are a bitch

 

yea its the crack alright, having anti-freeze in there makes the boiling point higher when under pressure, so therefore with the crack- it lets out pressure making the boiling point lower. hence the overheating. replace the radiator and add new coolant and u'll be good to go.

GOOD LUCK