I have an 03 civic that has 160,000 miles and I think it might need a knew head gasket. I just bought the car for 3000 and the motor sounds and runs just fine the only reason I suspect a head gasket is because it over heats. Iv changed the thermostat but still over heats other than that car leaks a little oil but is in great shape. Do you think It's worth keeping and paying to get fixed?
There are many things that can cause overheating besides a blown head gasket or stuck thermostat. (However if it is severely overheated the gasket would almost certainly be damaged.) On a 19-year-old car a partially clogged radiator, bad radiator fan, or water pump with corroded or loose impeller would be distinct possibilities.
Have you checked your coolant level, both in the radiator itself and in the overflow?
Go to the auto parts store and rent a block tester and blue fluid and do what he does here:
Rent a cooling system pressure tester and put your system under pressure to the pressure stated on your radiator cap. It should hold that pressure for 20-30 minutes. If it doesn't, check for leaks. Replace the radiator cap. They're cheap and wear out over time.
Since you replaced the thermostat, did you properly burp all the air out of the system?
