im trying to fix a 92 honda civic with 1.5l eng for my son. the car is overheating. now here is what happens, i start the car and after a while water starts to spew from the top of the radiator. i changed the thermostat n water pump. still no good. i put a hose to the top hose and removed the thermostat and water flowed ok. i put the hose on the top of the rad and water came out the bottom. i dont know if thats whow you check for blockage but thats what i did. also the top hose gets hot the bottom is cool and so is the radiator and no visible flow of water. PLEASE HELP

 

Start car cold with the radiator cap off and rev it. If air / water gushes out, the head gasket is probably blown. That would cause gas to displace the water out of the engine and cause overheating.

 

i just did what you suggested. at first water spewed out when the car started but it stopped immediately and nothing came out while reving it. so is it the head gasket?

 

It might be OK then. Have you been fully bleeding the air out after refilling every time? The 92 should have a bleeder screw on the fitting for the top hose at the head.

 

I haven't bled the system but would that keep the water from flowing trough the system. Why doesn't the water flow?