The car is a 96 Civic Dx. The temperature gauge goes above normal right when you start the car. Then when driving it would go all the way to Hot then back to the middle. I replace the radiator and coolant/ temperature sensors. My upper and lower hoses get hot. So I doubt it's the thermostat staying open or close. What else could be the problem? Any suggests? Thanks!

 

Sounds like a head gasket to me. Any bubbles coming out of the top of the rad with the cap off?

 

its headgasket. This is what would ahppen on my car before the headgasket was replaced. It would also burn through coolant. Its not a totlaly bad HG but a leaking one, which is why it doesnt happen after the first time (usually) becase it seems to seal itself back after the engine hits the temp. Pull the head and replace the gasket.

 

dam. i was hoping it wasn't the headgasket. might has well swap a better engine than spent the money fixing it.

 

an easy way to figure it out would be to just take out the thermostat. and very effective thats the problem. only takes a few minutes

 

If you plan on upgrading the engine then might as well do it now. If not, see if it is worth fixing.

I had a slow leak on my headgasket and the car would overheat due to a faulty wire for the fan. Had it checked out, had the gasket replaced and car runs better than ever for the last 1.5 years.

 

dude wtf. A bad headgasket is no reason to put a new motor in the car. its a ****ing hour and a half and $40 to fix a headgasket. If you are leet like me you can get some friends to come over and hold the head up. I just un tq'd it and had my friends hold the head while i replaced the gasket. Then we set it back in place and torqued it again.

 

true....

 

you should of at least cleaned the surface.

 

it's only a DX with 170,000. I would have to say it's on it's way out and yes it's worth replacing with you spent the last month fixing endless things on it while you could be spenting that money and time on a more powerful DOHC series.

 

ya get ready to spend 3k+ for 60-70 HP. DOHC motors arent worth it unless your trying to go all motor. Built D's are cheaper and a way better value if u wanna go boost. Unless your trying to make like 450+WHP. Its easier to build a D. Mine made 270WHP on 13.5PSI from a Ebay t3/t04e.