[samanjerry]

98 civic recently replaced hoses + thermostat + radiator.

The gauge reads hot(about 3/4) when I drive local streets(35-45mph) for about 20 min.

When I drive on the free way it goes to about 3/4 very quickly

Few days ago I drove on the freeway for a few miles and then when I got off and was at a stop sign the gauge went all the way up to the red and then some. When I drove again the temp went down to the middle and then slowly crept back up to about 3/4.

I've been to two different mechs, one place where they replaced hoses radiator thermo, and another place for 2nd opinion. Both places don't see anything wrong. They tell me the fan kicks in at proper time, the radiator is full of coolant, doesn't seem to be any leaks. They think it could be the temp gauge being bad.
They didn't do any further test like checking for head gasket or anything else. It was mostly visual.

So I have no idea really what the problem is.

From what I've seen a couple times the coolant reserv tank was low with coolant so I refilled then about a week or 2 later I had to refill it again. What could that be?

And is there a chance the fan works but maybe it doesn't kick in every time it should?

Gosh it could be so any things I don't know where to go from here...

[TxGreaseMonkey]

It sounds like the head warped and the gasket is allowing coolant toeither get into the oil or be burned. I would have the car towed to Honda and have the cooling system pressure checked.

After the head is machined, valves repaired, and head gasket replaced, the radiator likely needs to be replaced, due to corrosion or phosphate scale. Only use the recommended coolant and distilled water. This link should help:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post235973