wkarl

I recently noticed the temp gage on my 98 Civic rising slowly, not into the danger/red zone, but rising a little nonetheless. I had had the rad flushed/filled within the last year.
I took it into Active Green and Ross. They told me the rad, hoses and thermostat were all fine, but that I needed a new timing belt and water pump.
$650 later, the problem is still there. G&R took another look and said everything looked fine.
Temp still doesn't rise to red zone, but the fact that it is rising at all is worrisome, especially if I am caught in traffic. Long/stable drives don't seem to cause the needle to move -- only when it's long periods of stop and go, after about 20-25 minutes, it begins to inch up.
Any insight would be helpful. Thanks

MPR

Never take your car to active G&R again. Timing belt and water pump will not cause this issue. Though the timing belt and water pump do need to be done every 100-120k kms.

Sounds to me like your rad fan is not coming on. It's what keeps air moving through the rad in slow, stop and go traffic. Check the rad fan fuse and or rely. It's also possible the fan may need to be replaced. Also make sure the fan is plugged in. It's possible it was never plugged in when the rad was replaced.

Good luck.