Ok so my 1992 civic DX ONLY HAS 83,000 miles...and recently the temperature gauge has been fluctuating from hot to cold at random. Like for instance one second it will be exactly where it should be (below half way) and then in like 2 seconds it will go to 3/4th's the way up. The funny thing is then I FLOOR it(I dont do this much) and when flooring it the temperature display goes back down again.

The car does drive fine and excellent. Im thinking maybe the gauge is screwed up. Or maybe the thermostat?

My question is what is the worst case scenario? I have never had a problem with this car. I really dont think its a cracked head or cylinder. Or a head gasket problem. only 83,000 miles.

Im thinking the thermo???

 

check your coolant level and if it was low then you filled it back up you are probably vapor locking somewhere if you have a haynes manual chek it for coolant bleeder valves my car does the same the same thing because i got a blown head so it gets low alot

 

ya check your fluid WHEN THE MOTOR IS COOLED DOWN... dont wanna get yoru face burned off

sounds like your just low on coolant...

 

I really hope so I have'nt checked the coolant level in a while. I guess that could cause it to fluctuate... anything else that could cause that to fluctuate?

 

I had overheating trouble for about a month before I finally fixed it. I replaced the radiator, a bunch of hoses, the thermostat, etc. Until one day I decided it was the water pump. That fixed it. The first thing you need to do is check your coolant level and fill it back up if its low. Then drive it around and if it overheats again then check the level again. If its low again you have a leak somewhere. If that happens you need to inspect all the hoses for leaks and replace any with leaks. Let us know!

 

I will definately check my coolant level when I get home. If its leaking from somewhere besides a head gasket that should be a semi easy fix. I really hope its not a cracked head/cylinder or head gasket leak that would suck ***. I cant imagine it being that with only 83k on the engine

 

well with the head gasket.... ya got 2 ways of finding that out.... one look at your exaust if white and cloudy... thats the problem.....
2nd would be check your engine oil... if its just oil at a normal level then id say your fine at the headgasket...

could be a small leak in the radiator or small hoses or even a cracked overflow tank..

 

I just really hope its nothing major because this car is suppost to last me a lifetime!!!! Thanks for all you guys help if anyone else wants to add their 2 cents be my guest. I will check coolant level tonight and update you guys tomorrow.

 

Okay guys it was VERY low on coolant thanks so much for your help everything runs great now!!

 

okay guys so after I added the coolant and drove around everythign was fine for about 30 mins. i parked the car and the next day the car wouldnt spark to turn on...so I talked to my mechanic friend and he said to try and start the car with 3 cylinders and it started.... then i added the 4th wire to make it run on 4...drove it around for like 20 mins and turned the car off and on off and on off and on like 5 times and it started fine.

then last night I drove on the highway for like 40 mins going 70mph and the temperature NEVER went up once. I turn the car off later and turn back on and the temp starts fluctuating as it did before

any advice??????