Rep Power: 0

So here's the saga of my overheating 2002 Honda Civic EX (at roughly 175000 miles)

Months ago, my car overheated once while going up a big hill, so it was recommended to me to replace the thermostat, which I did with a supposedly OEM part from Amazon. Didn't have any further issues until 2 weeks ago while on a road trip.

I had been driving all day, about 9 or 10 hours when my car started to overheat (dial went all the way to the H), so I pulled over and noticed coolant had sprayed everywhere. It was spritzed on the radiator hoses, the fan, and onto the engine parts around it. Looking at the overflow though, it had the correct amount of coolant, though the radiator itself was empty. I fortunately had some coolant, so I filled it up and managed to get to where I was going (wasn't too far at that point), though I stopped a couple times to check on it. Second time I checked it, I noticed the overflow was WAAAAY full, and the radiator was again empty.

At my destination, I took it to a mechanic who confirmed what I suspected: the radiator itself was leaking and needed to be replaced. So he did that as well as both hoses.

Hoping my troubles were over, I continued my roadtrip. I drove it maybe... 15 more hours when it overheated again, so I pulled over to check it out. Again, overflow looked good, radiator was empty. Again, I was almost to my destination, so I filled the radiator and got where I was going. Upon arrival I checked it again. Overflow was WAAAAY full, radiator low. Unfortunately it was a Sunday, and I needed it fixed immediately, so I had to take it to a Firestone, only place open. They did a "complete" cooling system check, and said the cap was failing completely and the thermostat was failing intermittently, so they replaced those things. I doubt it was OEM parts though. The cap looks different and cheap. I also extra made sure to ask them if there was a problem with the head gasket, which they said was fine.

One week later, I have been driving back and forth to work, no issues. But today I drove an hour, mostly highway speeds, and at my destination I noticed the overflow is AGAIN waaaaay too full, and now there is more coolant spritzed on the hoses, fan, and surrounding engine. Drove the hour back home and it didn't start to overheat till I was in the driveway.

I have no idea what could be causing this now, and I don't want to take it to a mechanic for them to say there is nothing wrong with it. Has anyone ever encountered this before? And is it bad to fill up the radiator with coolant when the overflow is SO full?

Any help is appreciated.

 
Rep Power: 223

It's the head gasket, use OEM parts and do the timing belt, tensioner, and water pump while you're in there.

Make sure you get a machine shop to check the head out. It's probably pretty warped by now.

 
Rep Power: 223

Read: https://www.civicforums.com/forums/3...reference.html

 
Rep Power: 119

While your at it, replace that thermostat and radiator cap again with actual Honda parts.

Oh and in case you want a second opinion, yep your head gasket has failed.

 
Rep Power: 244

For a third opinion, yes your head gasket is bad.

 
Rep Power: 0

If it is my head gasket, do you think it's worth it to fix? It's an old car by now, and that repair is EXPENSIVE.

 
Rep Power: 223

you can diy it and save the labour cost, or gamble and throw an used engine in it.
but the used engine probably needs a head gasket, and you'd want to put a timing belt, tensioner, waterpump, etc on the engine before putting it in the car

 
Rep Power: 0

I took it back to Firestone because they would diagnose it for free. They said it was just an air bubble, but I'm not sure I believe them. Could an air bubble cause the overflow tank to overfill?

 
Rep Power: 223

Hmmmmmm

 
Rep Power: 0

They've "supposedly" checked the head gasket twice now though. How could they miss it? I don't trust them, but still, they would be able to see an issue if they were checking it, right?

 
Rep Power: 223

did you read the link i posted?

these engines fail in a certain way where they pass all the "normal" headgasket tests, but they will fail the test shown in that link.

did they explain to you how they tested it?

 
Rep Power: 225

It depends how they're checking the head gasket. The thread below has some really good info on this issue. This issue can pass multiple head gasket tests but will fail the one labeled "Cheap method 2".

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/3...reference.html