A little advice... Overheat when stopped

We may earn a small commission from affiliate links and paid advertisements. Terms

rfrumusa01

Bean Cakes
My turbo 97 civic tends to creep up in temperature when stopped. Cools excellently when moving, stays at around 180 degrees. When I'm stopped for a few minutes, it will reach a max of 210 degrees which I'm pretty sure is not good. The radiator fan is definitely working, but I guess I'm wondering if a higher performance aluminum radiator or a really good fan will help fix my problem. Anybody seen results from either of these two products? I know heating up is common at a stop for turbo'd cars.

TIA
 
If the fan is coming on at the correct temp; get a bigger or better one and dual-core radiator.
 
Do you have enough coolant in the radiator? Is there a leak? I had the same problem in one of my cars. I found out one of the hoses was cracked and leaking so there wasn't any coolant to cool the engine when it was stopped.
 
I can't remember the name of the product but do you have the thing that keeps the engine on for a few minutes after you turn the car off to let it cool down?
 
I can't remember the name of the product but do you have the thing that keeps the engine on for a few minutes after you turn the car off to let it cool down?
a turbo timer will do that.
 
Do you have enough coolant in the radiator? Is there a leak? I had the same problem in one of my cars. I found out one of the hoses was cracked and leaking so there wasn't any coolant to cool the engine when it was stopped.
That's what I was thinking. Check the basics before you go buy stuff.
 
Coolant sensor. IF the fan comes on, that elimiates the fan switch and motor, but it may not be coming on when it should or as frequently as it should. You also stated that when driving, the temperature is normal. That usually indicates a fan issue. Try replacing the Coolant sensor since you stated that the fan infact, does come on.
 
I have a turbo timer, but that does not seem related to this issue...

I checked today and the fan comes on at about 205 degrees (Autometer coolant temp. gauge). I guess I'm not even sure if the engine is overheating... I cant find anywhere on the internet or in any manual what the operating temps are on this car, or what temperature is considered bad. It tops out at 210 on a hot or warm day. And there are absolutely no leaks, no burning coolant, and the radiator is full.

It's just that the car stays consistently at 180 when in motion, then creeps to a max of 210... Im thinking that there should be no fluctuation in temperature, especially not a range of 30 degrees.
 
Thermostat usually opens at 170 or 180-degrees, and 210 is the highest you ever want it. Try a bigger fan.

Around 180-190-degrees is optimal.
 
when you hooked up the temp gauge did you use the sending unit autometer gives you with it.. or did you just splice into the coolant sensor wire?? if you didnt use the sender that came with the gauge than it will not read correctly ..
 
I used the autometer temp. sending unit. I looked online today and found out some things.

The factory thermostat opens at 176 degrees and the fan kicks on at 194. (supposedly)

I found a Mugen thermostat that runs at 158 degress, and the Mugen fan switch operates at 180. I think thats a little low though... Hondata's website does not recommend operating a high performance engine below 180. If I were just to buy the Mugen fan switch though, it would be on all the time! I don't know what to do. Does anyone think it would be bad to have that low temp. thermostat in there?

I mean, the car is not rapidly increasing in temp, it controls itself below 210 and does not go any higher. I guess if it went above that, I would really have a problem. Intercooler runs like ice cold too... Fan recommendations anyone??
 
If you have a stock radiator; upgrade that first. As for fans, a lot of those slim-fans seem nice and should flow enough.
 
is there air in the system?!?it doesnt sound as if there is,but you never know,,,and do not get the thermostat from mugen,,you want your engine to run warm,id say get the fan switch
 
Well, I found a radiator and I'm definitely buying.

here is the problem with just buying the fan switch... all the performance switches open at the same time as the factory thermostat. So the fan will basically run the entire time the car is driving. That would not make any sense. I guess I'm going to just run a switch and relay into the car and control it myself.

Tomarrow I'm buying a 3 core aluminum radiator, higher cfm fan, and samco hoses. Gonna flush and re-fill the cooling system. I will keep all of you informed on how succesful this is.

Today I was horsing around with the car, and after 15 minutes of driving it hard, it held at 210 for a while and began running shitty... I was scared. Taking care of this now before summer hits and something blows up! So apparently my cooling system is not sufficient...
 
Hate to say ... I told you so. ;]
Get a fluidyne radiator and do the flush/fill.
 
test the thermostat in some boiling water, make sure it opens up. try to get a thermostat to see what temp the water will make it open.
 
LOL ok you caught me, I only read the 1st post...

well, mostly just the title.. and thats usally a dead give away that fan isnt turning on when ur sittin there idling
 
Back
Top