Need help on this one, I bought the car 2 1/2 years ago from my son’s girl friend with 198K after it blew a heater hose and over heated. I removed the head and had pressured tested for cracks, resurfaced, and installed new valve seals. I reinstalled it using Fel-Pro gaskets, used the copper spray on both sides of the head gasket, replaced all cooling hoses and vacuum lines. I was told that I could use the original heads bolts for the local dealer, so I did. Looking back, one thing I didn’t check was the block surface with a straight edge to see if the cylinders and block were in spec.The car ran perfect until last week, 28K miles later. After a two hour drive on the freeway 70-75 MPH, I stopped for 30 minutes. When I restarted it there was a big cloud of white smoke, I shut it off after 1 to 2 seconds. Thinking it was a blown head gasket. ( I know that look I drive Fords) I checked the oil for coolant, oil was fine. Checked the coolant, coolant level was fine, color looked good, I did notice a little "blackish green) flim on the rubber hose in the overflow bottle. I had the car towed home. Pulled the plugs, they look ok, compression check for all cylinders is 190 to 195 PSI (warm). When I start the car now there’s no smoke. I’ve driven it around the block a few times after letting it reach normal temperature (15-20 minutes) still no smoke. I do see one or two bubbles in the overflow tank when the car is running. The temperature is fine and never has it ran hot. Before I start removing anything I wanted to hear your recommendations. I thinking I should retorque the head bolts even if they say that’s not required when replacing a headgasket. I hate to replace the head gasket again and only get another 30K out of it. Sorry for the long post, but I wanted the all the facts out before hearing your recommendations. Thanks
I would have to say it is possible chnace the block u didnt resuface. Its a must when you have a blown headgasket since its possibly warped or something. And if you can spend a bit more on oem HG go for it. Well honestly I wouldnt reuse the stock bolts just becoz they been 15yrs old. If you were to buy them new at honda/acura and then this be the sec time reusing them then yea i would use it though. but again i would have to say block need resurfacing and new headgasket. Just its not a blown HG again otherwise u can risk chance of you warping the head again or HOT SPOTS.
do a leak down test this time. Compression test looks good at 190-195 but a leak down test would tell u everything if u have a leak somewhere in the system. Same with coolant pressure testing to see if its not leaking/flowing through the system.
You said it blew after you bought it from someone. i would bet the previus owner at some point and time had a problem with over heating. with most likely left you with a warped block which is why you blew the first one.
I would also agree with riccylsr a replace those head studs
new head studs from the dealership are gonna cost in excess of $100 so IMO it would be more cost effective to get a set of these.
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=ARP-208-4302&autoview=sku
No, he said he bought it after someone else overheated it.
I wouldn’t assume that the head gasket is blown, especially if the compression is pretty good. My old 87 Civic blew many head gaskets, and it was very clear when this happened. The engine temp would start going up, I’d get significant amounts of oil in the coolant, coolant loss, low compression in the cylinders, etc. If it runs OK now, why take it apart? If it ain’t broke…
However it would be a good idea to keep inspecting, and watch for further problems.
Yes, it overheated before I bought it. During the last two years (28K miles) it has never overheated. If the block was wraped when I bought it, I’m wondering why it took 2 years (28K miles) to fail this one time and now it seems ok. Do most mechanics/shops recommend resurfacing the block when the headgasket goes on these engines? I’m wondering if after the two hour trip if something has moved a little allowing coolant into the cylinders. Does anyone have experience with the Fel-Pro headgasket? I suspect that and the factory head bolts that I reused. I’ve used the ARP studs on my 93 SC TBird with no problems. I’m planning on doing a leak down test this week.
Originally Posted by thelusiv
No, he said he bought it after someone else overheated it.
wow man, way to reword what i said, good job bro:gtfo:
anyways, why it took two years to blow the second one is anyones guess. but i would definatly have the block redecked before you do it again.
good luck:up:
I didn’t reword what you said…I got the idea that you didn’t read his post. But I didn’t post to argue with you. :jerkoff:
To the OP: I’d do the leakdown test and go from there. There’s really no need to pull the engine to resurface the block when you’re not even sure if it really needs it. Back to my old Civic, due to a bad thermostat it overheated a few times and had the head gasket replaced at least twice. I checked the block both times and it was still straight. If you do decide to replace the head gasket, check the block with a straightedge after cleaning the old gasket off…this will tell you if you need to resurface or not. My bet is that unless she really cooked the engine before, the block is fine.