I recently purchased an '86 Civic Wagon 1500 MT. I don't recall it getting hot when we first bought it but now, after a lot of maint work, the temp gauge gets too close to the "H" for my comfort when I'm going up hills (WOT). It gets about 75% of the way to "H" when going up a hill for more than 10 seconds. It will drop back to 50% to "H" within 30 seconds of cresting the hill. I notice no other symptoms that seem related... other than the A/C can stall the engine at idle but I think that's the idle up solenoid... It seemed to run fine when we got it, except that it stalled at idle when the engine was cold - so that's what a majority of the tuning by my mechanic was centered around.
I have had the following work done:
- adjusted idle from 1200 to 900 rpm
- replaced thermo, water pump, timing belt, fan motor (and switch), water hoses
- mechanic did some work on carb to get the stalling at cold to stop - now i have a fast idle, mid-range idle and curb idle setting - ahhhhhhh
- inspected distrib and replaced vacuum advance component
- replaced spark plugs with proper nippon densos
- replaced plug wires with some after market ones
- new air filter, aux fuel filter, pcv filter
- changed oil and filter
Since noticing the overheating, I checked the timing with only an inductive timing light and adjusted to line up the marks - this had no effect on heat going up hills. I also found two vacuum hoses that were not connected properly (thanks to my mechanic I think) and found their home via underhood diagram. Car still behaves the same on the up hills.
I feel confident that the cooling system is up to snuff - the only thing not new and recently adjusted is the radiator itself. I'm suspecting a vacuum leak someplace or possibly the timing under load? But the hood only gives me initial timing setting of 20 +/_ 2. I'm getting a vacuum gauge soon so will check against that but any other suggestions on what to check? This overheating going up hills is my only symptom. Other than that, the car cools on the downhills and keeps on chuggin. Also wondering if it's safe to drive it when the gauge reads that hot (75% to "H") or do I risk blowing a head gasket even in that range? Should I go after a new temp sender unit to be sure?
PS - (added later same day) Noticed that during normal city driving after several minutes the heat creeps up here too. The cooling fan motor is running. A/C is also associated with another fan which runs when called upon. RPM seem normal for the type of driving. Ambient temp around 75 F. I'm suspecting either air in the system or faulty wiring (maybe some crossed current or lack of ground that's only apparent when fan kicks on or cylinders are firing faster?) now and POSSIBLY vacuum leak. Anyone tend to agree/disagree based on symptoms?
Thanks for any help!
Elissa
I have had the following work done:
- adjusted idle from 1200 to 900 rpm
- replaced thermo, water pump, timing belt, fan motor (and switch), water hoses
- mechanic did some work on carb to get the stalling at cold to stop - now i have a fast idle, mid-range idle and curb idle setting - ahhhhhhh
- inspected distrib and replaced vacuum advance component
- replaced spark plugs with proper nippon densos
- replaced plug wires with some after market ones
- new air filter, aux fuel filter, pcv filter
- changed oil and filter
Since noticing the overheating, I checked the timing with only an inductive timing light and adjusted to line up the marks - this had no effect on heat going up hills. I also found two vacuum hoses that were not connected properly (thanks to my mechanic I think) and found their home via underhood diagram. Car still behaves the same on the up hills.
I feel confident that the cooling system is up to snuff - the only thing not new and recently adjusted is the radiator itself. I'm suspecting a vacuum leak someplace or possibly the timing under load? But the hood only gives me initial timing setting of 20 +/_ 2. I'm getting a vacuum gauge soon so will check against that but any other suggestions on what to check? This overheating going up hills is my only symptom. Other than that, the car cools on the downhills and keeps on chuggin. Also wondering if it's safe to drive it when the gauge reads that hot (75% to "H") or do I risk blowing a head gasket even in that range? Should I go after a new temp sender unit to be sure?
PS - (added later same day) Noticed that during normal city driving after several minutes the heat creeps up here too. The cooling fan motor is running. A/C is also associated with another fan which runs when called upon. RPM seem normal for the type of driving. Ambient temp around 75 F. I'm suspecting either air in the system or faulty wiring (maybe some crossed current or lack of ground that's only apparent when fan kicks on or cylinders are firing faster?) now and POSSIBLY vacuum leak. Anyone tend to agree/disagree based on symptoms?
Thanks for any help!
Elissa