1988 Honda Civic Radiator Service

Service Your Honda Civic Radiator

Are rising engine temperatures causing rising stress levels for you? Cool it! Schedule your 1988 Honda Civic radiator service or repair today.

When Does My 1988 Honda Civic Radiator Need Service?

It can be tough to know when to have your Honda Civic radiator serviced if you don't know what it does, but it’s vital to know what to look for. The radiator is in the cooling system of your car, and it helps your engine temperature stay within a safe range. So, what happens when the radiator isn’t working quite like it should? You guessed it – your engine overheats, and it may even break down completely.

Keeping up with regular radiator maintenance in your 1988 Honda Civic is essential for long-term engine health. Honda recommends that you replace coolant (also called antifreeze) at certain intervals, but you can also take note of any signs your radiator is going bad. You could be on the verge of a radiator-induced engine breakdown if you see coolant leaks under your car, high engine temperatures, or a dashboard light that indicates low coolant. Visit your local Firestone Complete Auto Care for a Courtesy Check at the first sign of one of these issues.

Radiator Repair Service for Your Honda Civic

What’s included in a radiator repair service? At Firestone Complete Auto Care, we start by performing a thorough inspection of your Honda Civic cooling system. We’ll do a machine-powered coolant exchange on the system, and then we’ll top off or replace the fluids that were removed (like chemicals, lubricants, and sealants). Lastly, we’ll perform a pressure check to look for leaks.

If your radiator is acting up, odds are good that your water pump needs to be checked for proper function, too. Some services for your 1988 Honda Civic engine can wait, but the water pump is one part that you'll want to have repaired or replaced as soon as you discover a problem with it. This pump ensures that coolant is always flowing through the radiator, hoses, and engine. If it isn’t functioning properly, your engine won’t be able to stay within its optimal temperature range. Let our technicians examine your radiator pumps and hoses to ensure everything is operating as it should. If you’re about to lose your cool over a too-hot engine, rest assured that your 1988 Honda Civic is in good hands at Firestone Complete Auto Care. We stand behind our work with our Triple Promise: Fixed Right, Priced Right, Right on Time.

Questions About Honda Civic Radiators

Take care of your 1988 Honda Civic radiator and it will last. Check out our top questions and answers about Honda radiators below, and visit your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care at the first sign of an overheating engine.

  • Why is the coolant light on my Honda dashboard on? Your engine might be about to overheat. If your low coolant light is on, pull over in a safe area and wait for your engine temperature to go down. Once it’s safe to do so, bring your car to your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care to have the coolant system inspected.
  • What are the puddles in my driveway or garage floor? Don’t ignore puddles on your driveway or garage floor. If you see a green, bright orange, or pink fluid puddling under your car (it might be sticky, too), it could be antifreeze that’s leaking out of the engine. Antifreeze has a sweet, attractive smell to cats and dogs (and it’s highly toxic to them), so look out for your pets! Repair any leaks as soon as possible, then carefully wash away any remaining fluid that’s left behind on the driveway or garage floor.
  • Can Honda Civic radiators be cleaned? Cleaning your car shouldn’t be limited to the parts you can see. Regular cleaning is good for your radiator, too! When you take your Honda Civic in for routine maintenance or service, it could be a good idea to opt for a radiator cleaning, too.
  • Why is my Civic overheating? Your Honda Civic engine could overheat due to low coolant, a clogged radiator, a damaged water pump, a malfunctioning cooling fan, or a faulty thermostat.
  • What is making my Civic radiator sound like it’s boiling or rumbling? If your radiator sounds like it's boiling or rumbling, you could have air pockets in the cooling system of your Civic. You might also have a damaged radiator cap (super easy to fix!) or a clogged radiator.
  • Is it bad to have rust on my Civic radiator? Yes. If you have rust in your Honda Civic radiator, it could cause leaks, negatively impact cooling efficiency, and eventually lead to radiator failure. Left unaddressed, radiator rust can erode the cooling passages, creating cracks or small holes. Properly maintaining your radiator system can help stop it from rusting.