Quote Originally Posted by Vteckidd View Post
i would not say its a head problem YET.

First of all if you are losing coolant, you need to REALLY check for leaks. Id cycle water through it, let it idle in the driveway and look for any sign of water dripping out. Squeeze the upper and lower radiator hoses and looks for water to be bubbling or squirting out.

If you cannot find any leaks, and the car overheats, check to see if the fan is kicking on. it should.

Water will push to the overflow tank, thats why it is there, it doesnt mean its automatically a headgasket or head problem. You have to overheat the SHIT out of it to warp the head. just getting hot or pegging H doesnt mean its automatically blew a headgasket.

Since you mentioned its losing coolant, i suspect you have a leak, or the fan isnt kicking on and it is overheating and causing the coolant to push out.

any smoke coming from the car/exhaust?
Timing belt /water pump current?
That's why I mention to compression check the radiator you can put pressure on it without it running and see if it leaks down and you will see a leak. He never mention a leaking issue as he had overheating issues and replace thermostat to try and fix it and still overheating. BUT the radiator is empty and the over flow keeps filling up. This is what happens when a head is warped , NOW unless this guy can change a thermostat but can't see anitfreeze is leaking out this is a warped head. GOING by his symptoms that is. Another reason to put a radiator pressure test on it , is to see if it builds up to much pressure which indicates a warped head.Either way , I see your point as from check all aspects problems that are simple before thinking worse case. But Sounds to me he has been chasing a problem and still continue to run hot causing the head to become warped.