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I have been having overheating problems for almost two years. I have a 2005 civic EX,around 80k miles, and I have had my radiator replaced as well as the radiator cap. My car was leaking coolant and replacing the radiator stopped this for awhile, but my car was still overheating. I went on a two hour drive the next day and my car overheated after an hour. I took it back to the shop the next day and they said the radiator cap was bad and replaced it. I have taken it into the shop so many times and sometimes it will not overheat for a few days, but then starts back up again. The shop said that it may be my head gasket and basically told me I should look into getting another car.(which isn't an option right now) The coolant has started leaking ( disappearing?) again and I need to fill it up at least once a week. That usually works for at least a week but I put coolant in on Wednesday, and it overheated on the way home from work the next day.The overflow tank has fluid in it, but its not full to the top. Also, during the winter when I put the heater on, the car overheats. This will happen while I am on the highway. Most of the time my car only overheats after I get off the highway and I am on the side streets, if I am in traffic, or if I am sitting idle in the parking lot. One last symptom, when the coolant starts to run low my air conditioning will turn warm. Not good for Florida summers! I love my car except for this issue. I cannot drive my car for long periods of time or it will overheat, so I have not been able to go out of town to visit family and friends because I don't feel safe. It is to the point that I am considering renting a car to go out of town. With a little less then 80k on a 2005 car, I don't feel this should be the case. I have been reading all the overheating threads but I am not very car tech talk saavy and wasn't sure about what some of the solutions meant. Any advice on what I should have the shop look for or test? Thank you for any assistance.

 
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Your headgasket is blown. Get it changed and get the head checked for warpage. You'll be right as rain after that.

 
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That's a really strange thing for a shop to say about a vehicle with only 80K on it and no rust (assuming always in FL). Sounds like they don't feel confident in their ability to do a head gasket, and not having it come back in again. But they also know there's some other shop nearby that can and will do this job well. Find another shop (ask around, etc.) that gets good marks and ask them first to confirm the bad head gasket (which is almost certain). And then ask for an estimate for that repair, and a timing belt/water pump replacement, assuming this work has not already been done. No idea of the rates down there, but the total will likely be 1K or more. Good luck!

 
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I don't know the condition of your vehicle but unless banged up bad (and even then), but no professional shop should ever tell a customer "your better of buying another car". They should diagnose the cause, explain to you any "variables" that may not be visable before the repair. (example: your radiator won't hold coolant so very hard to diagnose thermostat operation, headgasket, system integrity. etc.). They should Quote you a price. and if their tech misdiagnoses- YOU SHOULD NOT PAY!
Once your estimate/quote has been made then you can decide weather it's worth repairing or trading or...
That said. Take your vehicle to a qualified , reputable service center! Explain as much as of your problem as you can. When it started, what the conditions are for your symtomes. Did you see or smell anything. Has anything been replaced already. etc. Talk to the Tech directly if possible. He knows what to ask and trully listens and understands (I hope) (eliminate the commission hungry clueless advisor).
Sorry but this one sounds iffy. Then post a complete estimate as to what they have diagnosed/said. It should be in writing. At that point comment on the forum to see if other members have had similar experiences.
nothing wrong with asking for opinions beforehand. But take any Forum Diagnosis with a grain of salt. And never assume that this is your problem. You go in to a service center asking for a specific repair and chances are they will do it even if your car doesn't need it. Don't tell them what is wrong (don't self diagnose). That is part and the most important part of a good Technicians (formerly called a mechanic) job.

 
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Thank you for the responses. On a side note, my car is in great condition, and looks brand new after a good detailing, lol. I live in an apt, so my car is not kept in a garage. Aside from this overheating issue, there are no other problems ( that I am aware of). I have been taking the car into the same shop because since they haven't been able to fix it, they don't charge me everytime I come back in for the same issue. Guess that's not really helping. It sounds like I will have to find another shop.

 
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I'd start going to a few shops and getting different opinions, maybe there's another shop that just fixed a similar problem and they will know right away.

Mechanic's diagnosing car problems is similar to a doctor diagnosing health problems, sometimes the symptoms are similar for different diseases and they usually just assume it's the more common ailment, but every once in a while someone with something serious finds out too late because of bad a diagnosis.

Anyway I'd definitely not get rid of the car, it's a newer model and has great mileage. If time is an issue you should take it to a honda dealership for diagnostics and spend $50 on just finding out what's REALLY wrong with it, then take the car to a cheaper mechanic and tell them the problem yourself.

My mom's car overheats once in a because of an oil leak, but luckily she just needs to do oil changes more often and it doesn't give her problems. For this I was recently looking at some leak-blocking products out there, and I even saw some products designed to help with bad head gaskets. I'd also take a look at those type of products after you find out if it is really your head gasket or not.

I'd get ready to spend though, might run up to the 1500's in cost if it truly is the head gasket, luckily you can easily sell that car for 5-6 grand once it's fixed and go buy something similar with the hope that it'll be more reliable.

Good luck man, I feel for you.

 
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Stop driving it like that or you WILL destroy the head.

 
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if you haven't all ready, you may just need a new water pump.

 
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I wouldn't doubt that what ever is wrong with my car has been further damaged due to me driving the car. After reading some of the posts on here, I do think I would rather put some money into getting the problem fixed vs giving up and getting a new car. I really do love my car and its in great condition.

 
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Defiantly take it and get Head Gasket done.
Mine would do same if I put anti freeze in it would be ok for a while.
Have a look at your plugs one of them are prolly white mine was for cylinder 4.
the mechanic showed me my old head gasket and it was some stupid coating
on it that came off and caused a slow leak.

Been fine since...at least for over heating.....

Also had mine done at a Honda Dealer
cost me 1100 tax in but got timing belt water pump thermostat plugs and head gasket done at same time.

 
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I had the same problem, cylinder 2.

Cost me $1,500 (Timing Belt, Thermostat, Pump, HQ, Machining, LABOR (DAMNIT), and Diag fee).


How does yours run now that the HG has been replaced? No issues still?

Please provide an update when you can.

 
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So far so good
about 20000km's on already
but have since replaced
crank sensor
cat convertor (honda replaced free under warrenty cool)
front end links
4 wheel alignment

she almost new now

I was mistaken in original post it cost me roughly 1500 tax in 1300 something plus tax.

 
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How much was the Crank Sensor Repair? What were your symptoms? Is that a common issue as well?