Cooling system Meltdown

[mouthformer]

Fellow Wrenches;
My '95 Honda Civic LX is overheating like a fat woman in the kitchen. I have added fluid to the approximate level, and when I try to cool her down by turning on the hot air, all I get is cool air. The A/C works fine, but makes the car very hot and I know that the A/C fan works. I am not sure if the radiator fan is working. Any suggestions on thermostats, water pumps, bad head gaskets. Just one week ago, the engine temp would fluctuate wildly between normal and hot within seconds of on another. Could it be possible my radiator cap is bad as well. I am by no mean an expert, and would welcome any and all opinions before I take this little whore to the shop.
Thanks,
Chris<img>
[email protected]

[polacek]

I had to replace the thermostat. It would be a good time to flush out your cooling system @ the same time.

[Greenblurr93]

ya, my 93 EX was doing the same thing... i ended up replacing the whole radiator... but try a flush and thermostat first..

[CivicSpoon]

Pop the hood and let the car get up to the temp and see if the fan kicks on, just to rule that out. And check the radiator to see if there are any areas that are leaking (or bent or blown out fins).