97 Civic Ex overheating problem
 

A while ago, my civic started overheating, so after checking all the obvious things, i figured it was the thermostat. So i replaced that and it was better for a while. Then yesterday i was on my way to work, and while i was on the highway it started overheating. so i turned the heat on and got off my exit and as i pulled to a light my car started steaming so i pulled over as quickly as i could. The top radiator hose sprung a leak. Later on that day i got a new hose and put some coolant in it and its still overheating. I dont know if the thermostat couldve gone again, or if its the water pump or something. Any help would be appreciated

Does the fan turn on? Any CELs?

Now that you mentioned that, i do ont believe the fan was kicking on. And theres no check engine light on

Test the fan switch by sitting at idle and allowing the car to warm up. The fan should cycle on and off after the car is warmed up etc. If it does turn on, the problem most likely relies elsewhere. If it does not, continue below.

Test the fan by jumping the switch. Stick a paperclip in the plug (harness side) and then turn your key over without starting the car. The fan should come on. If it does not, there is a problem with the wiring to the fan, or the fan motor itself is bad. If the fan does turn on, the fan switch is most likely bad and needs replacing.

SO i tested it and the fan comes on when i stick the clip in the plug so hopefully its just the fan switch

Ok, so once the car is cooled down, plug the fan switch back in, turn the car on and let it idle. Warm it up to operating temperature. Keep a close eye on the temp gauge in the car while listening for the fan. If the gauge is creeping up past the 1/2 mark towards the 3/4 mark, the fan should be running at that time. If not, shut the car off and replace the fan switch.

Bleed the cooling system.

Agreed with RonJ, had the same issue. Put the front up on a jack to raise it, helps it circulate. Top off the coolant in the radiator, leave the cap off, run the car, you'll see it bubble for a bit, top it off again.You can also squeeze the bottom radiator hose to help pump it through the system a little quicker. When the car gets to operating temp or warmed up the fan should kick on. If not then it could be a temp sensor on the thermostat housing. Also when its up to temp, crank the heat all the way up to hot , this will open the whole system so the water can flow through all the tubes, if not, youll get more air pockets, loss of fluid and more overheating.

Put the heat all the way to hot throughout the bleeding process.

If there's still overheating while sitting still,jump the fan switch to make the fan run all the time and test drive like that. If no overheating then, replace the fan switch.