The coolant recovery tank on daughters 01 Civic keeps filling up/overflowing and radiator level seems to lower.
Took it to an independent mech who specializes in Hondas a couple months ago. I told him I had read (Honda/Civic sites) much about a probable head gasket leak. However, the temp gauge never went above half way, there's no oily film in the coolant, nor is there a milky film in the oil. He looked it over, replaced the radiator cap, said he saw no head gasket issues, to keep an eye on it and bring it back if issue continues. I brough it home, changed the oil and filter and drained the coolant and refilled with new to between min and max in coolant tank. I had replaced tstat w/Honda OEM last year some time.
Forward to today ~3k later, coolant recovery almost filled to fill cap. No sign of oil in coolant or milky looking oil, temp gauge only goes to half. No signs of overheating, and no external engine signs of head gasket leak.
Need to get this issue fixed right this time, no time for UOA. Any thoughts on cause and/or what diagnostics I should mention being done this time? Read that cylinder leakdown should be done but that it too can be misleading.
TIA.
Took it to an independent mech who specializes in Hondas a couple months ago. I told him I had read (Honda/Civic sites) much about a probable head gasket leak. However, the temp gauge never went above half way, there's no oily film in the coolant, nor is there a milky film in the oil. He looked it over, replaced the radiator cap, said he saw no head gasket issues, to keep an eye on it and bring it back if issue continues. I brough it home, changed the oil and filter and drained the coolant and refilled with new to between min and max in coolant tank. I had replaced tstat w/Honda OEM last year some time.
Forward to today ~3k later, coolant recovery almost filled to fill cap. No sign of oil in coolant or milky looking oil, temp gauge only goes to half. No signs of overheating, and no external engine signs of head gasket leak.
Need to get this issue fixed right this time, no time for UOA. Any thoughts on cause and/or what diagnostics I should mention being done this time? Read that cylinder leakdown should be done but that it too can be misleading.
TIA.