Are there any ways to tell if an over heating problem is due to a faulty water pump? My car is over heating within~1 minute. The upper radiator hose is hot and the bottom hose is cool. The fan works fine, but is not coming on since the engine coolant temperature switch is next to the thermostat (which is next to the lowerradiatorhose).

Also, what direction does the coolant flow? From the upper hose down through the radiator (or the opposite direction)?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

- Garon, 1995 Civic EX

 

Water flows out the top of the engine,down thru the radiator, then to the thermostat and into the pipe across the back of the engine that leads to the water pump.

I would test it with the thermostat removed to make sure it's not a bad thermostat. The radiator could also be severely blocked. Rule out those things first before suspecting the water pump.

 

if the top of the radiator it hot, and the bottom cool, there is your problem; your radiator is blocked. Thats what is sounds like to me at least...

 

Thank you. The radiator being blocked makes perfect sense (or possibly a stuck thermostat that will not let coolant flow). I should have time this evening to work on the vehicle and I will let you know how it goes.

I recently found this forum and find it very helpful. I have not needed much tech help in the past because my 1995 Civic EX (137,000 miles) has run almost trouble free for 12 years. Great little car and Iam hoping to drive it for several more years. The only complaint thatI have is the A/C is a majordrain on the engine power when it is turned on.

 

no problem, let us know if that fixed it though

 

Quick update on what I was able to do last night. I flushed the system and had no problem with water flowing from upper radiator hose (through the radiator) and out the lower hose. When placing the hose in the upper engine opening (where the upper radiator hose was connected), I could get a little bit of water to come out the thermostat area. When I placed the hose on the lowerengine opening(into the thermostat housing), there was zero flow of water. Therefore, I think the thermostat may be stuck in the closed position. I will continue tonight and let you know how it goes....

Thanks again for all the great advice I receive from the forum.

- Garon, 1995 Civic EX, 137000 miles and still going strong

 

Turned out to be the thermostat which was stuck in the closed position. I replaced the little booger for about $15. My wife was soproud of me she took a photo! Thanks for the responses.