NYDB40

Hey all. Just recently bought a 2001 civic with 140k on it. Did a car fax b4 I bought it,, big mistake!. What little info it did offer was that the last place to service the car was a Honda dealer in Bloomington Il. The c/f just says engine serviced. I contacted the dealer to see what had been done and to see if he knew of the timing belt has been changed. He called me two days later, these are the highlights of the conversation.

"Previous owner had brought the car in saying that it was overheating intermittently.( I later found out they said once a week or more ) Noted that car was not low on coolant. Did a leak down test and determined that cylinders 2 and 3 were leaking and the head gasket was starting to fail. Recommended replacing head gasket, thermostat and then send to machine shop. Also replace timing belt. 2000 dollar repair."

Well the car runs like a top! No missing no smoking and no overheating. I drive 40 miles a day and have put approx. 450 miles on the car. I even drove the car in stop and go traffic for two or three hours with the a/c on, still no heating issue. I have a good friend that is a GM certified mechanic look at the car. He noted that way it ran, test drove it, checked the oil and coolant. He says there is nothing wrong with the car.

It just so happened that I needed the drivers side seat belt replaced and the dealer I bought it from sent me to another dealer. ( note these are NOT "Honda dealerships" These are corner lots. But the place I was sent has a very good rep!") Well while I am there, I have them run another compression and leak down test. These are the results.

Compression 1 - 190 2- 185 3 - 190 4 - 190
Leak down %'s 1 - 10% 2 - 12% 3- 10% 4 - 10%

My buddy that's the gm guy says these are excellent numbers, and so did the guys who did the test. Only ONE problem.

I too am having the problem with the heater working when moving and not working when sitting still. The bloomington dealer had said thermo needed replacing so I went and bought one. Only thing when I went to put it in I could see no coolant in overflow. Least I don't think there is any, I can't really see it as it is under the battery.

So I made an appointment for Tue. with the guys that fixed the seat belt to do a test on the coolant system. They seem to think it's a bubble in the system but warned that it may be the head gasket. ( Greatest fear )

But from what I have read on this forum, the leak down numbers do not seem to indicate head gasket. But if the coolant is low, then where is it going? As noted b4 no smoke no strange smells and nothing on the ground.

While the guys I am taking it to have a good rep and all, I am just trying to gather some intel b4 authorising a 1200 dollar repair. So any help/advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Sorry to have made this such a long post. I just wanted to give as much info as I could/knew. Tia and have a great day all

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

Have you seen this thread: https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-2001-2005-78/01-05-civic-cooling-system-q-overheating-fans-inoperable-etc-2889523/

There seems to be evidence that you may have a clogged heater core, but I wouldn't know for sure given the fact I've never seen your car.

NYDB40

Good information there,, thanks. But I was able to Jerry rig a device to check the coolant, I am now officially low on coolant. Guess it's the head gasket afterall. Oh well, least it is under a 50/50 warranty. Not much, but better than nothing.

Thanks for the link.

theineffable

anyone know how much leakage a good low mileage D17 should have?

i've never tested a D17, but10% leakage seems a bit high. also, blown head gasket usually results in one cylinder having much greater leakage than the rest. that's not what your results are showing.

on a D16A6 i've tested, the numbers were around 6-7% on a motor that probably had 200,000 - 300,000 km. i've also tested two s2k motors and the leakage was only 1%.


as for the head gasket, there's a tester you can buy that will detect combustion gases in coolant.

NYDB40

Ok thanks ineffable. I was looking to see what other's thought of the numbers. Your info was very helpful. Thankyou.