Sometimes my car overheats, but now it overheats all the time?
 

3 weeks ago, i was using AC and idle my temp gauge for my engine was increasing so I turned my heater on instead. The temperature went down. My car was just fine after. Then couple of days ago my car started overheating when on stop and go traffic and when i go at higher speeds on freeways. Then it was fine again. then 2 days ago my car overheats, my bf check that the bottom hose was just cold, while the other hose from my radiator to the engine was hot. It was fine the next day after i pour coolant in. Then yesterday, I test drove. The car started overheating again. The next day the car was just running fine. top and bottom hoses were hot. The fan was working. The last time I took it to a shop the guy said my oil is seeping. What could be the diagnosis of this "sometimes overheating of my civic 97?

the thermomemetre needs replaced

Man....a Honda -- surprised -- I had a FORD (FOUND ON ROAD DEAD) car......so that was my guess. Now that I know it's a Honda, it may not be as bad as it sounds -- they are good cars from what I understand. May not be too expensive to fix.... :)

yeah you need a new thermostat, it isnt opening to allow water to flow and cool the engine.

thermostate bad? electric fan/sensers going bad..if car is all right on the move ,that fan is bad

usually the intake or the head gasket!

Have someone check your water pump, replace your thermostat, and maybe even run some coolant system cleaner through your radiator, Have someone who knows what they are doing do these checks.

This is not good -- if it overheats constantly, you are going to do more damage to the engine and that means lots of money. Take it to a reputable mechanic and have them check the thermostat, the gaskets, and the hoses. Fix any of these that are a problem. Don't think this is going to go away. It will only get worse.

OK you could have several problems if the top hose is hot it means its not flowing through the radiator but it is coming from the motor to the radiator so the thermostate is ok if its low on coolant the coolant had to go somewhere the older model civics 98 and older were very bad to blow head gaskets and if this is what has happened its very easy to test just take it to a garage and ask them to run a compression test they will check all 4 cyls and the one with low compression is where the head gasket is blowen that way you know what you need to do to fix your car like i said the coolant had to go somewhere... and if its not leaking the motor had to burn it... hope this helps...