head gasket help
#1
head gasket help
2004 honda civic Dx (1.7 L)
My question is about my potential head gasket problem. My car has been overheating, after a few hours of use, for a while and I fear I may have blown my head gasket. My radiator wont keep fluid in it like it should, as I consistently have to add more fluid every other day. A pressure test indicated no leak so I assume it must be burning, not losing the fluid. I also have noticed my oil running low way too fast (for instance, I changed it about 2k miles ago and it's already very low). My exhaust pipe has black residue in it, and just recently I looked at my spark plugs (because my car was "chug-a-lugging" upon starting and upon accelerating) and I noticed oil inside the 4 chambers.
Is this a blown head gasket, or some other gasket? or a blown head? or anything else? any advice on what I can do to determine which of these it is?
Thanks,
Andrew.
My question is about my potential head gasket problem. My car has been overheating, after a few hours of use, for a while and I fear I may have blown my head gasket. My radiator wont keep fluid in it like it should, as I consistently have to add more fluid every other day. A pressure test indicated no leak so I assume it must be burning, not losing the fluid. I also have noticed my oil running low way too fast (for instance, I changed it about 2k miles ago and it's already very low). My exhaust pipe has black residue in it, and just recently I looked at my spark plugs (because my car was "chug-a-lugging" upon starting and upon accelerating) and I noticed oil inside the 4 chambers.
Is this a blown head gasket, or some other gasket? or a blown head? or anything else? any advice on what I can do to determine which of these it is?
Thanks,
Andrew.
#2
Sanji
iTrader: (1)
Re: head gasket help
2004 honda civic Dx (1.7 L)
My question is about my potential head gasket problem. My car has been overheating, after a few hours of use, for a while and I fear I may have blown my head gasket. My radiator wont keep fluid in it like it should, as I consistently have to add more fluid every other day. A pressure test indicated no leak so I assume it must be burning, not losing the fluid. I also have noticed my oil running low way too fast (for instance, I changed it about 2k miles ago and it's already very low). My exhaust pipe has black residue in it, and just recently I looked at my spark plugs (because my car was "chug-a-lugging" upon starting and upon accelerating) and I noticed oil inside the 4 chambers.
Is this a blown head gasket, or some other gasket? or a blown head? or anything else? any advice on what I can do to determine which of these it is?
Thanks,
Andrew.
My question is about my potential head gasket problem. My car has been overheating, after a few hours of use, for a while and I fear I may have blown my head gasket. My radiator wont keep fluid in it like it should, as I consistently have to add more fluid every other day. A pressure test indicated no leak so I assume it must be burning, not losing the fluid. I also have noticed my oil running low way too fast (for instance, I changed it about 2k miles ago and it's already very low). My exhaust pipe has black residue in it, and just recently I looked at my spark plugs (because my car was "chug-a-lugging" upon starting and upon accelerating) and I noticed oil inside the 4 chambers.
Is this a blown head gasket, or some other gasket? or a blown head? or anything else? any advice on what I can do to determine which of these it is?
Thanks,
Andrew.
#3
Re: head gasket help
It is a little less-transparent than it probably should be, but I would say it is as milky as some of the pictures I just googled (lol).
My next question was going to be: when getting this fixed, should I purchase just a simple head gasket (online), or do I need to buy head bolts, or any other types of gaskets? Because as I've been reading, I may need to replace many types of gaskets as well (which I am totally unfamiliar with.) OR should I just bring it to a trusted mechanic and see what he thinks... I ask this because I'd like to buy the parts I need online and bring them to the mechanic (generally a more affordable option I assume)... Any opinions on my newb-philosophy?
My next question was going to be: when getting this fixed, should I purchase just a simple head gasket (online), or do I need to buy head bolts, or any other types of gaskets? Because as I've been reading, I may need to replace many types of gaskets as well (which I am totally unfamiliar with.) OR should I just bring it to a trusted mechanic and see what he thinks... I ask this because I'd like to buy the parts I need online and bring them to the mechanic (generally a more affordable option I assume)... Any opinions on my newb-philosophy?
#5
Re: head gasket help
If you have ARP head bolts, reusing them should be okay. If you're uncomfortable with that, buy new ones.
You should also buy a new valve cover gasket in addition to the head gasket.
Have the head inspected for warpage, as well as camshaft end-play, valves, etc. An overall inspection. You might consider having a new camshaft oil seal(s) installed while you're at it.
You should also buy a new valve cover gasket in addition to the head gasket.
Have the head inspected for warpage, as well as camshaft end-play, valves, etc. An overall inspection. You might consider having a new camshaft oil seal(s) installed while you're at it.
#6
Honda-Tech Member
Re: head gasket help
#7
Re: head gasket help
Originally Posted by lazlong
You need liquid gasket with that also.
Edit: You edited your post while I was replying.
The gaskets (plug tube seals, and valve cover gasket) don't always come as a set.
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#9
Re: head gasket help
YES MarkM01! it is definitely oily and nasty inside and for a while I didnt think it was pulling fluid from it because it just stayed very high. But just yesterday it was low so i guess it pulled some out of it.
#11
Re: head gasket help
It means you're mixing oil and coolant together. If you're lucky it's just a bad gasket. There are worse possible causes.
Start with removing the cylinder head, then have someone check to make sure it isn't warped or cracked.
If the warpage is less than .05 mm (.002") you don't need to worry about it.
If the warpage is between .05 mm (.002") and .2 mm (.008") you'll need to have it machined.
Maximum resurface limit is .2 mm (.008") based on a height of 93 mm (3.7")
Start with removing the cylinder head, then have someone check to make sure it isn't warped or cracked.
If the warpage is less than .05 mm (.002") you don't need to worry about it.
If the warpage is between .05 mm (.002") and .2 mm (.008") you'll need to have it machined.
Maximum resurface limit is .2 mm (.008") based on a height of 93 mm (3.7")
#13
Re: head gasket help
Cylinder pressure is higher then the pressure checker you put on the cooling system with your tool. 30 psi compared to 150 psi, or so. So even though it's holding the 30, doesn't mean it'll hold the 150.
So cylinder pressure is pressurizing your cooling system at a pressure higher then your rad cap can hold, so it's blowing coolant past it, and filling the tank.
Even when mine is cold, if I remove the cap, there is positive pressure in the rad.
That's my conclusion anyways.
Mine is doing the EXACT same thing. I'm replacing the head this week.
#15
Re: head gasket help
i had a bad head gasket but no milky oil or oil in coolant. if you car has white smoke from exuast then its a head gasket and the oil problem get a complete valve cove gasket set
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