Honda Overheat Problem Need Help!

[swift151]

Ok I drive a 1990 Honda Accord DX. Ive had it for about two years, and its been very reliable for me, however the last week or so I noticed the gauge was going into RED! Well this is what would happen, like if I was at a red light it would overheat on my gauge but when I push the gas and speed up it would go down to normal. Well yesterday it wasnt going down to normal at all it would shoot up to red and wouldn't move to much from their. Later that day my car just turned off from overheating when I was trying to park. I checked under the hood and noticed that I was out of coolant, not because of a leaky hose but I just didnt know it need to be refilled, I hadn't checked it in many months. I went into the store got some water and some coolant mixed it and put in radiator after the car was cooled down. It started up and it seemed to drive fine their were no noises or anything it was just like how it was before any of the overheating, but the gauge still reads as red and their is something coming up from the exhaust manifold, its not smoke from oil and my valve cover is fine, it was more like steam. I had the thermostat replaced but it still goes up to red, I dont know whats wrong and im hesitant to drive because I dont want to damage anything any further. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[Copytech99]

If the steam/smoke is from the tailpipe, you may well have a bad head gasket or similar problem. Where the engine is getting the coolant into the cylinders.

[swift151]

Before I drove today I was checking under the hood and noticed that their wasn't any more coolant in the radiator even though I already filled her up yesterday. I refilled and drove and it was fine for a few blocks but then the gauge started slowly going up to red. When I parked the car their wasnt any smoke or steam at all I just head alot of fizzing sounds and had to refill once more to get home. Im stumped help!

[Greenblurr93]

blown headgasket or really bad waterpump.

[Copytech99]

It has to be going somewhere, either it is leaking up front at the engine. Fill it up drive a short distance and put some cardboard under and look for dripping and leaks OR it is being consumed by the engine which is most likely a head gasket or similar problem.

You should have a mechanic test it for you.

[swift151]

Tried the cardboard thing, not a drop anywhere to be seen Ill have the head gasket looked at tomorrow. Thank you both for the help

[Greenblurr93]

ya its goin somewhere.... into the combusion chamber where its bein burned...