# 2004 Honda Civic - Am I good to go?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-honda-civic-am-i-good-to-go/127135>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** honda\
**Created:** [October 19, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-honda-civic-am-i-good-to-go/127135 "2018-10-19T21:44:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jimsturman54\_143498](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@jimsturman54\_143498](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jimsturman54_143498)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-honda-civic-am-i-good-to-go/127135/1 "2018-10-19T21:44:34Z")

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Engine light turned on after car heated up while driving in heavy traffic. I pulled side, let car cool down and added some water and drove home while engine light remained on but car did not over heat. This morning when i turned car on engine light was on. I went for a short drive, no overheating but light was on. stopped for ten minutes, added some water, turned car on and engine light is off now. Do i need to take the car to mechanic or just leave it?

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**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 10:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-honda-civic-am-i-good-to-go/127135/2 "2018-10-19T22:11:21Z")

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A couple of things.  
You may have a coolant leak. Look under the car for coolant.  
If all hoses on your car are original and the water pump is original you may very well have a leak. The radiator itself might be leaking. There is also the possibility of a bad head gasket. A mechanic can pinpoint the culprit.  
If all of the above is okay you still need to have the coolant changed, the car needs a 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water.

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**Author:** ![jimsturman54\_143498](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@jimsturman54\_143498](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jimsturman54_143498)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 10:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-honda-civic-am-i-good-to-go/127135/3 "2018-10-19T22:34:25Z")

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Thanks for your prompt response. Do you think i could drive the car this weekend or should i just leave it stationary until monday when a mechanic could look at it?

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**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2018, 12:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-honda-civic-am-i-good-to-go/127135/4 "2018-10-20T00:02:42Z")

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Don’t where you are but it looks like you do not have enough anti freeze in the vehicle now . Why take a chance on more damage if you do have a head gasket leak . I would just park it until the problem is found and fixed.