ok just bought a 92' civic and i am having problems with it overheating. when i bought the car the guy said that his wife was driving it and it had white smoke coming from the tailpipe. not sure what i could be but the rad. was filled up when i brought it home and once i got it home it was empty. i dunno what it could be.

 

Based on the description you just gave, it sounds very much like a blown headgasket. If you're not sure, that's the seal/gasket between the head and the block.

If it's failing, you will get coolant/oil leaking into the combustion chambers and burning up in there, causing the white smoke to come out of the tailpipe. If you're losing the entire contents of your radiator, I'd say the damage is pretty bad. I would get it replaced before you do any more damage.

A bad headgasket will not go away, and will get progressively worse. If you overheat too much, you will start by warping the head, and possibly worse.

 

thanks man i'll replace the head gasket tommorrow