newhondagirl

Ok so I just got this car...had a BHG and needed back brakes and a clutch. After many estimates at various auto repair shops i decided to take this project on myself to save some money....spent 3500 on the car and then another 1200 on these new parts...

1. dropped the engine out of the car
2. remove the transmission and install new cluch
3. remove exhaust and intake man...took most of this apart and cleaned it
4. remove head and gasket, cean and hone block
5. install new head w/ new bolts
6. intall new water pump and timing belts
7. adjust valves
8. new fuel filter, oil filter
8. new plug wires
10. new brake shoes
11. bleed clutch and brakes
12. start car!

and....the HG problem is worse!!!!
before i started this project the car was overheating and a small amount of combustion air was getting into the cooling system, now it is alot more air getting to the cooling system and also have steam/water coming out the exhaust tip so i did a compression test.....all cylinders have 140-150psi

what did i do wrong, any ideas???

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

Did you use a new headgasket or attempt to reuse the old one?

Did you check for any leaks/cracks/etc on the radiator hoses - namely where they connect at the motor and at the radiator?

Are these OEM Honda parts or aftermarket?

How did the intake and exhaust manifold gaskets look? Were these replaced?

newhondagirl

Yes i bought the head gasket kit ($160) all new fel-pro gaskets
all hoses are good...

the head was remanufactured from ebay but they had good ratings and thats all they do is cylinder heads...wondering if i got a bad one

also i did not have water in my oil with the old head and now i do...

i guess ill just have to take it all apart and get the head checked and the top of the block???

Roader

Yeah, you will. Fel-Pro head gaskets are fine. Was the head torqued down in three steps (29/51/72 foot-pounds) in the correct bolt sequence? If yes then the head or block likely isn't flat enough to seal. If it were my car I'd want to know which cylinder(s) were leaking before I pulled the head off by pressurizing each cylinder @ TDC & watching when coolant gets pushed out of the radiator. That would help narrow down where to look for head and block problems.

Just a thought, but are you sure that your torque wrench is pretty accurate? I've used some wrenches rented out at auto parts stores that were way off, like 70 pounds read but 50 pounds actual.

newhondagirl

Torque sequence- yes and done in the three steps
Torque wrench- i would think it is accurate, i bought a new one...how can i check it?

ok so...i pulled the new head off and surprise!! The blow-by residue was on the top of the new gasket and on the bottom of the new head.
does this mean my block is ok???

i am going to get the head checked tomorrow and if thats the problem does the company i bought the new head from have to reimburse me for the gasket and time/labor???