I own a 1997 Honda Civic LX. I think it's a 1.6 litre. Now, I'm no mechanic... but I do have an understanding as to how most parts work. This forum is my last resort, because I want to avoid pouring money into part after part without fixing the problem.

The issue is rather unique. Specifically, it's an overheating problem.

Now, I can drive the car around for about 15-20 minutes and the car will stay at a normal and stable termperature. Suddenly after that, the temperature will slowly start to rise. After this point, the temperature will begin to fluctuate randomly between red-lining and just above normal termperature. The fans seems to be working fine, which helps the cooling process. I know my thermostat isn't faulty, because I did open up the hood a few times and the engine IS hot. However, no smoke or boiling ever results (it never stay at red line for more than a minute).

The car has about 138,000 miles on it. Not too long ago, the car was running completely fine. I don't know if this is coincidence, but the issue slowly started becoming noticeable after I had put one half a quart of oil in it when the stick read low.

I talked to my mechanic and he said "it could be any number of things." The person I go to is not a Honda specialist by any means, just a general mechanic.

The work I've had done on it so far:

Changed the oil filter, had the fuel injectors cleaned and changed all the fluids. I changed the spark plugs, wires and distributor cap. The issue has gotten a little better since these changes, but it's still happening.

The radiator seems fine to me (I haven't noticed any leaks).

A couple of things to note:

1) There's a strange "tick tick tick" noise when the car is running. I don't know if this is a belt or the engine. It's rather metallic. The sound fades after the car is more warmed up.

2) When I got all the fluids changed at the shop, they filled the reservoir for coolant. I took it back the next day to get the oil filter changed (where they top off all the fluids). Now, this was a week ago. However, two days ago when I looked into the reservoir... there was no coolant at all. Is the engine over compensating for the heat or do I actually have a leak?

I'm so sorry for the long post, but I hope someone could help with what information I have. I just got this car not too long ago and it was running like a dream. Now it seems like I'm going to have to go broke to fix it.

Please help!

If the coolant out of the reservoir, ( should go back in the radiator after it gets cold) is emptying out, sounds like a leak, take some cardboard etc. and let it set under there. It will also smell like antifreeze under the hood if it is, now the thermostat, if it's the original, its pretty cheap anyway to replace as well.. if its leaking, fill the reservoir to the full cold mark, then pop the radiator cap after its cold, and fill it up to get to the garage etc. if it is, you can pop the cap off one notch to leave pressure of it. The engine should run almost consistent temps all year long, a little hotter in the summer, and of course cooler in the winter. If it redlines for too long, it can hurt the engine.

Let me just point out that Hondas are known for VERY consistent temperatures throughout the year, if everything is all right with the system. I'm a member of a Honda Fan Club in Croatia, and lots of Honda people acknowledge that.

You are definitely losing coolant. Take the radiator cap off, fill it to the top. Then fill the reservoir tank to the MAX line. Check each day both the radiator and reservoir. You should get a little more in reservoir after you drive (since it gets warmer). Mind you, fill it to the MAX with engine (and most important, coolant) cold. Best in the morning. Check each day if there's less coolant.

Now how to check where it leaks? Try the cardboard advice briggsdude gave you. Also, check and see if your coolant has oil in it. Hope there is none since it means your head gasket is blown. Does the car smoke white smoke?

Also just use water if the radiators leaking, the water does the cooling, the antifreeze does what it does, keeps it from freezing. Because if the radiator does need replacing, most of the coolant will be replaced.