Coolant levels???

[woodly1069]

Hey guys I was wondering if anyone knows how this is supposed to work. I have a 2000 Civic 1.6L with the single overhead cam. This thing has an overflow tank for the radiator and a cap where I can fill the radiator. Why would the level in the radiator be low but the level in the plastic reservior be ok? I can't seem to understand why the radiator will always be low and then when I add to it it goes into the plastic tank and makes it overflow??? Any thoughts would be great!
Thanks!

 

[RonJ]

Is the engine overheating?

The cooling system needs to be bled, the radiator cap is bad, and/or the head gasket is blown.

 

[sleeper si]

Is the engine overheating?

The cooling system needs to be bled, the radiator cap is bad, and/or the head gasket is blown.

seems to have the same conditions with the OP, rad is low over night but overflow is full.
bled the cooling many times. next is to try a new rad cap.