How do I replace the Water Pump on a 1986 Honda Civic? I'm thinking of buying one from a private owner but it wont hold water. I'm told that it's the water pump but I would like to check it and see if it actually is the water pump or a cracked head. The guy drove it while it was running hot.

their is no 1985 crv if its a CRX HO1220 Water Pump for 84-87 Honda Civic & CRX 1.3L 1.5L SOHC EV1 EW1
1.3L 1.5L EV1 EW1 EJ1 D15A2 Engine. Water Pump for HONDA. 1986 L4-1493cc 1.5L CARB Vin EW1. 1986 L4-1487cc 1.5L 3 BBL Vin EW1. 1985 L4-1487cc 1.5L 3 BBL Vin EW1. 1984 L4-1487cc 1.5L 3 BBL Vin EW1.

Why would you buy a car that you were told overheats?

May have a bad head gasket
May need a new radiator
New water pump
New thermoststat
New timing belt
and on & on

Could be any combination of the above & more

I'm going to say you most likely don't have the knowledge
or equipment to do the required testing to find a problem

SOUND LIKE THERMOSTAT STICKING CLOSE.REPLACE THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR PRESSURE CAP.ADD 50 /50 MIXTURE ANTIFREEZE AND WATER TO THE COOLANT SYSTEM.CHECK TO MAKE SURE WATER PUMP NOT LEAKING IF SO WATER PUMP NEED REPLACING. ALSO DO A QUICK CHECK.CHECK ENGINE OIL DIP STICK. IF LOOKS LIKE MILK SHAKE HEAD GASKET LEAKING.

OWNERS MANUAL DONT TELL YOU HOW TO FIX WATER PUMP OR FUEL PUMP YOU NEED A REPAIR MANUAL

Theres only 3 things that it could be.1.radiator cloged or won`t hold water,2.waterpump is bad,or 3.The thermostate is frozen closed.Thats saying that you`r belts aren`t slipping and that you`r water hoses are in good shape.

honda have their water pumpin the timing belt case, it also run with the water pump. so taking out the water pump you have to know what you are doing. you need a person with some experience . or buy the book for your vehicle and do it .

Its time for a new belt, and a good idea to replace any iffy parts at the same time, if the water pump is run on the same belt replace now,

Remove and raise upper hose at thermostat end and remove lower rad hose.
Fill rad with a hose and watch for flow from bottom rad hose and/ or bottom rad hose connecton.......water should fall though rad easily.
Honda rads are cheap.....any restriction....replace rad.

Remove thermostat....fill thermostat housing with hose and watch for water flow at bottom rad hose.
Flush good.

Remove heater hoses.......flush back and forth until a good flow is present "With heater control set to hot" if no or poor flow....replace heater core.

Stop leak can plug everything.

Also.......not likely causing over heating....but ....at your mileage,if you do not know if the timing belt has been changed.....CHANGE IT NOW!
Water pump is optional at this mileage.

The most common cause of this is the ignition control module.

Try to see if the water is circulating in the system. Better way to check without burning yourself is to take the thermostat out and run the engine this way it should start circulating right away. If the impeller on the water pump is not turning the water wont circulate.
I have seen this in a VW Jetta but don't know what type of w/pump is in your Honda.