'95 Civic Overheating Intermittently

I've got a 1995 Honda Civic LX that for the last week or so has been
experiecing overheating on an intermittent basis. Sometimes while driving
the temp guage will shoot up, and then come back down. There was also a
problem of the passenger side cooling fan not coming on

I took it into the garage a few days ago, and they said the car was 1/2
gallon low on coolant (which they added), and after running a while the
cooling fan did come on.

Being 1/2 gallon low implied that there is a leak somewhere, though there is
no evidence of a leak inside the engine compartment or on the garage floor.
So where could the coolant be disappearing to? Plus the problem of
overheating still exists.

 

Blown head gasket.
Common problem in many cars.

Terry

 

Having the exact same problem. My car ('94 Accord) would overheat, but soon
after I stopped the engine it cooled down pretty fast. Some days - nothing.
No puddles under the car WHEN IT WAS HOT, but after it cooled down (i.e.,
next morning) there'd be a nice-sized puddle already drying under the car. I
took it to the mechanic, who at first thought the water pump was leaking,
but it turned out to be coming from where the lower radiator hose is
connected. I'm replacing the hoses tomorrow. Good luck - don't forget to
look at the cheap fixes first.

 

Another cheap fix.
If the overflow tank is full and the radiator is not, check
the overflow hose for leaks.
Ernie