Ok, here is the problem I am having. In my 94 Si I am almost regularly overheating. I check my overflow tank and it is empty. I put more coolant in and the problem is solved after a few minutes of driving. My car is fine for a few days and then when ever I come to an idle, same thing again. Overheating?

I just replaced a thermostat recently so I doubt it is that. What else could be causing this problem?

 

You've obviously got a leak somewhere. Doesn't take much with a CiViC. They only hold a gallon of coolant; about the same as a milk jug, you know? One little pin-hole leak will do you in...

 

What are the possible locations for a leak? Upper and lower radiator hose and where else?

 

OMG! All over the place! Hoses, water pump, head gasket, auto tranny (if you have one), overflow bottle, blah, blah, blah.

It's possible to have a pin-hole leak in a hose and it'll squirt coolant out without hitting anything on the vehicle, making the leak almost impossible to find. If it was me, I'd try a can of Bar's Leak.

 

Thanks dude

 

BTW, Bar's Leak will not work on leaks in hoses, nor will it work to seal a leak at the waterpump. Bar's Leak will seal leaks in radiators, heater cores, and gaskets and O-ring of all types. So, if that takes care of your problem, you'll basically know it was your head gasket, heater core or radiator. It only cost a buck or two and won't hurt anything.

If that doesn't work, it'll be a hose, somewhere, or the water pump that's causing the leak.

Anyway, good luck!

 

Bar's leak will seal a head gasket leak??!

 

Yeah, it should. Depends on how bad it is. If it's just seeping a little; no problem. If it's 'blowing bubbles' into the overflow bottle, like I read in another post; no way.

 

Keep thinking of stuff... are you getting any white smoke out your exhaust and/or does the exhaust smell 'sweet' or 'perfumey?'

 

I'd bet several Benjamins that your head gasket is leaking. I have a '95 DX and that's what happened to me at around 110,000 miles.

Gonna take several Benjamins to fix it, too. Take head off, test it to make sure it isn't cracked, mill .008" off it to true it up and re-install. About $800.

The only other possibility is that you have air bubbles in your cooling system that weren't properly purged/bleeded when the coolant was last changed. But, I'm betting your head gasket is done. I had the same symptoms when mine went.

Don't let this go. Coolant in your motor oil will eat your bearings.

--- Bror Jace