I have a 1995 Honda Civic that recently started overheating. It would slowly
use coolant and I would continue to top it off. Also bought a bottle of
Barr's Leak Stop, and that seemed to stop the slow leakage.

Until yesterday. Everything was fine, until I looked down and saw the temp.
guage pegged in the red. Stopped the car and steam was just pouring out from
under the hood. End result was a cracked radiator, which I had replaced
along the upper and lower hoses this morning.

But my concern is that this radiator crack is a result and not the cause.
There was never any leakage to be seen under the hood or on the garage floor
until the radiator finally blew.

After doing some reading it appears that at a minimum the head gasket should
be replaced. Also the heads since they are made from aluminum, though I
don't know if that is actually necessary.

Any thoughts or suggestions?