We are having trouble with my daughter's car. It overheats in traffic but does not seem to on highway. We have checked the radiator level and filled it but after a short while it needs refilling but we cannot find a leak anywhere. We thought she might have blown the headgasket when it first overheated but the car does not blow white,smelly cloud nor is the oil milky. It also sort of surges when idling.
Any ideas anyone?

Well, the summer time tells all on a radiator, if you have to refill the radiator every time or so, it may have a slight crack, or one of the hoses is leaking. To make sure, after you drive it and park it, sometimes you can even smell leaking antifreeze, or put a big piece of cardboard under where the radiator is, and come back later and look to see if its leaking. Also they will be hotter in traffic, then highway, but if it has a temp gauge, goes up to a certain point, and pops back down, the thermostat is doing its job. If it doesn't it isn't.

Thanks so much for your quick response. My hubby checked the spark plugs and found that 3 were good but one was wet so figured that it must after all be a head gasket. Oh joy! :eek:

Well, if it is... real joy indees. :(

Your husband might find this link interesting if he plans on replacing the head gasket by himself. The information is specific for 1996-2000 Honda Civic (they're the 6th generation, yours is 5th generation), but it should give you a good insight into what is needed to replace the head gasket on your own.

http://www.jdmuniverse.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=32971

Great site thanks... wasn't a head gasket, the whole darn engine is sick... valves, rings etc! My daughter is going to have to work double shifts to pay for this because it is now out of my husband's comfort zone. Thanks again for all your advice. Much appreciated

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Originally Posted by pamaryc

We are having trouble with my daughter's car. It overheats in traffic but does not seem to on highway. We have checked the radiator level and filled it but after a short while it needs refilling but we cannot find a leak anywhere. We thought she might have blown the headgasket when it first overheated but the car does not blow white,smelly cloud nor is the oil milky. It also sort of surges when idling.
Any ideas anyone?

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You may have a problem with your thermostat, the best thing to do is start by chaining your thermostat with a fail safe thermostat it runs about $25 to $40.
If you still have a problem with the car overheating try changing your (iac) idle air control sensor. If the problem persists you may have a faulty wiring harness or a blown fuse or relay located in the cars main fuse box.

Try checking the hose going from behind intake manifold to the thermostat housing.