david45249

I've noticed what looks like, feels like and smells like oil in my coolant reservoir. It's been there for several thousand miles and my '02 civic has 165,000 miles. Is that oil? If so, does that mean I have a serious problem like a cracked head or bad head gasket? I would appreciate any thoughts.

David

portaman03

Your thoughts are correct, but usually when I see a leaking headgasket, its oil in the coolant itself floating, not caked to the walls of the reservoir. Thats wierrrrd. Maybe somebody accidentally poured it in there?

david45249

Well you know I have been taking it to an instant oil change. I wonder if someone messed it up there. I'm also having heater problems though. My heat goes away when I stop at a light. The fan still blows but the air isn't hot anymore.

theineffable

do a leakdown test and check for air leaking into the coolant. that will tell you the condition of your head gasket

david45249

How do I do a leakdown test? Is that something I can do on my own or do I need to take it to a shop? Thanks.

theineffable

you can do if it you buy a tester and a compressor. a shop will probably charge you 1 hr of labour to do it for you.

jdmfreak1992

I would do a coolant change see if there is oil in it. Also vice versa do an oil change if its a milky color it's most likely a head gasket.

It Wasn't Me

If that wasn't put there on purpose, something is cracked or blown.

portaman03

I wouldnt trust the monkeys at the instant oil change. Do it yourself for $30 and about an hour (if you arent used to it).

The problem with your heat at the stop light is a common problem for our cars. I think heater core?

jdmfreak1992

Coolant and oil are super easy to change I would do it your self. And if you do you will want 5w 20 oil and honda type 2 coolant its blue colored and it is already pre mixed so you don't need to add water.

david45249

Well I cleaned the reservoir out and replaced the coolant and put in a new thermostat. I didn't see any oil in the old coolant. I'm going to watch and see if the oil reappears in the reservoir. Replacing the thermostat didn't fix my heat problem. The air from my heater still turns cold when I stop at a red light.

It Wasn't Me

165k miles on the car...

Have you replaced the timing belt, water pump, etc. and done the cooling system flush yet?

If yes; when was the last time you flushed the cooling system?

Have you ever flushed the heater core?

david45249

I have done all of those things except flush the heater core. It's just so hard to get to but I might have to. I had my coolant system flushed probably 50k-60k miles ago.

It Wasn't Me

It's not bad. You just need to remove the resonator and neck from the air cleaner assembly. (everything to the passenger side of the air filter housing )

It wouldn't hurt to do it since you're up for a coolant change, anyway.

ADIZZLE08

i have the same problem with my 02. and have taken the same steps as you. i bought a water pump but have yet to install it.. also i noticed that the coolant from the radiator is filling up my overflow once i turn my car off... i started running just straight water and it seems to be helping.... i dont know where the black stuff in my reservoir came from either.. i flushes it out but nothing really came out when i did that.

David45249 does your temp go up while your driving around and at reasonable speed? Cause sometimes mine does and when i stop.. usually when i rev the rpms up the temp goes down

david45249

My engine temperature is constant. The hot air from my heater will turn cold when I stop at a red light and get hot again when I take off or rev my engine.

KhmerX

Hey Man,

I got the same problem on my 2001 Accord. I brought it into Honda service for oil change in April. They found oil in the radiator and reservoir. I paid $175.12 for them to diagnose the problem. They said that the Head Mechanic looked as best as they good and came up with 4 possible solutions.

Here they are from cheapest to expensive at Honda Dealership:

1) Replace radiator and flush heater core and replace all hoses about $475 (Says that it might fix.)
2) Replace head gasket about $1850 (Says that it is more likely this but no guarantees.)
3) Replace engine with used $3800 (This should fix it because it's a different engine.)
4) Let's look at trading in vehicle so I can sell you a new or used car.

Anthing worked for you or are we fukked?

EM2abe

If they were just doing an oil change then what are they doing looking at your coolant and all that? That's the first question that came to mind when I read about your situation. An oil change is an oil change... not a coolant check. hahaha. Unless they provide the topping off of fluids. If I were you I would take it somewhere else that is reputable for working on Honda's and get it looked at. First thing is first though... They are over pricing you. The head gasket replacement shouldn't cor more than $800-$900. I paid $800 to get mine replaced along with a resurfacing, timing belt, and water pump replacement. That's parts and labor put together. They are just trying to make money off you...

david45249

I couldn't figure it out so I just ignored it. I can understand how it could be one of the things that you listed. I've had this problem for several thousands of miles and years. My car has 182k miles on it now so I'm just going to keep oil in it and drive it into the ground.

EM2abe

Have you ever had a leak down test? Monoxide test? Ever taken the head off to see if it is warped???

MarkM01

Does the recovery tank tank ever over fill?

Mine looked like that when I had a bad head gasket. Combustion/oil gets into the cooling system, and accumulates in that tank.

Get a $40 block leak tester from NAPA and diagnose the problem correctly.