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I have a 2005 Honda Civic LX that I bought over two years ago. I have not had any issues out of the ordinary (headlight replacement, tranny fluid change, motor mount replacement) until one day I noticed that the car would get warm (about half way on the heat gauge but no more than 3/4) after driving about 25 or more miles and then stop and go traffic(this car does not get hot in stop and go traffic if I am just driving down the road). So I decided to replace the thermostat. No issues for about a week. Then one day, during the long drive and stop and go traffic, it overheated, with the heater on full blast, and then I noticed that the heater was no longer blowing hot air, only cold air. Then the gauge went to red as I pulled over and shut off the car. 20 minutes later, the gauge went back to normal (just below half way). But once I started driving, the gauge starting going back up. So I starting speeding up and once I made it to 45 MPH the gauge went back down to normal and I could drive home, if I drove at 45 MPH and above. I then had the timing belt, water pump and the coolant replaced. I still had the exact same problems, after 25+ miles and in stop and go traffic it overheats, and with the exact same solution of driving fast. One day, I noticed when I had the hood open, I would not see the fan running, maybe it was no big deal. It was cheap and easy to replaced the temperature sensor and the fan relay, and I noticed the fans started running again, when I looked at them. So I tested the car again, and I made it over 50 miles... and it started overheating again. But this time when I pulled over, after no more than 5 minutes later did the gauge go back to normal again. So I took off, and it started getting hot... so I pulled over. But when I stopped, the gauge went back down immediately... so I took off again. And it overheated again, and it went to red and stopped and shut off the car. and after only a few minutes, the gauge was normal, again and drove a block down to the house. So now I am back to square one again. So my question is, what else can I do? I don't want to waste hundreds of dollars again and the problem persist. Any ideas? Tips? Test I can try to see what is causing the issue? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you.

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

 
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Sounds similar to what I am experience. If you let the engine cool down and then open the radiator cap is the coolant right up to the cap or is there some air there? Does any air come out was you open the cap?

It's possibly the head gasket but wait for more experienced members to jump in before taking this as definite.

 
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your head gasket is blown

 
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I vote blown head gasket as well. Very common based on your symptoms.

How many miles on this car?

 
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Thank you all for the help.

Its around 128000 Miles right now. I cannot say when it was last replaced, for sure it hasn't been replaced in over two years.

I have not seen any air under the radiator cap when the car has cooled down. It looks like the coolant isnt running out or disappearing either, and when it does, it is when the car overheats and the coolant sprays out of the reservoir, it doesnt shoot out a big stream from what it looks like, just alot of drips, no more than an ounce or so.

I am not a complete novice when it comes to overheating, but I am certainly no expert, and I hate dealing with overheating issues.

The last time I had to replace the head gasket in a car, I had almost everything replaced in the Camry related to cooling, and nothing worked. Then I found out that the mechanic was putting silicone around the engine and taking my money.

 
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whatever you do, DO NOT let the engine overheat, if you do, you will need a new head along with the gasket

 
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You SURE need a headgasket change. You can do some confirmatory tests before you are sure. Use OEM from Honda only. Better, do it yourself, if you can.

 
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You were all correct, it was the head gasket, and the heads, they are warped as well. It sucks, but it was my fault for driving the car so much while I was testing it. I appreciate all the help you guys, Thanks!