Then you will have a problem of not having an engine at optimal operating
temperature as you will
be over cooling it. Thus your gas milleage will suffer and if you have to do
any smog check, you will fail.




"DesignGuy" > wrote in message
news:zOWCe.163204$x96.152448@attbi_s72...
>
> "Bruce" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>> I drove my '90 Civic EX sedan 1.6L (180k miles, 5spd) on a 65 mile trip
>> last week (averaging 75mph, 3.5-4k rpm, no AC, ambient temp 85) and
>> about 5 mins after I pulled off the highway, the temperature gauge
>> slowly climbed to 2/3, up from its normal position at just under 1/2.
>> Once I parked, I heard gurgling coming from the coolant overflow
>> bottle. After about 4 hrs, I opened the radiator cap to check coolant
>> level, it was still topped off even though about a cup leaked out of
>> the top of the OF bottle. OF bottle was empty, however. I
>> trepidatiously drove home, this time keeping my speed at 60mph or
>> below, and had no problems.
>>
>> This was the first time since buying the car last fall I drove it at
>> this speed for a prolonged time, have driven several 1/2 hr trips at
>> less than 60mph since and no problem at all.
>>
>> There's no oil or HCs in the coolant, no coolant in oil, so I'm
>> relatively confident there's not a head gasket problem, but who knows?
>> This car's so old and only cost me $1000, so if that's the case it's
>> junkyard time anyway. I plan on changing the thermostat, coolant hoses
>> and rad cap this weekend, and possibly the thermal switch that controls
>> the fan... don't recall ever hearing the fan run so that might be the
>> problem right there (anyone know off-hand where this switch is
>> located?). Perhaps the airflow at 70mph was enough to cool the engine,
>> but after heavily taxing the engine for over an hour the flow at 30mph
>> wasn't enough since the fan wasn't working? Maybe a collapsed lower
>> hose? I changed the timing belt this spring and did water pump change
>> then too... also, radiator is relatively new (according to previous
>> owner).
>>
>> One other problem (maybe related, maybe not): I have noticed an
>> intermittant squeal coming from the front left wheel that is in time
>> with wheel rotation, and is more pronounced when I turn left. It's
>> quiet during right turns, and whenever I apply even light brake
>> pressure. This noise was very pronounced when it was running hot after
>> the first half of my trip last week (only after I got off the highway
>> and was driving for 5 mins at ~30mph on city streets). Possibly coolant
>> leaking on brake pad/caliper?
>
> I've got the same overheating problem... I replaced the radiator and
> thermoswitch last spring and the problem was fixed - or so I thought. Just
> today, however, I experienced overheating that occurs when sitting at a
> stoplight for a long period. My radiator fan does not come one. I may
> re-wire it to always be on when the engine is on.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>