Update: changed the rad at the weekend, then did about 70 miles driving. The temps actually seemed to be slightly lower than normal (off stock temp gauge but I know where it usually sits) so I thought the new rad had solved the problem.

But when I stopped the car and left it idling for like 30 secs, the needle climbed up to between normal and hot. Checked the coolant the next day - the rad was dry and the overflow bottle was full to the brim again, and it had sprayed the rest over my engine bay.

So there's still pressure in the coolant system which I now accept must be due to head gasket failure, even though the leakdown test showed no leakage whatsoever Not sure why the head gasket might have blown, we're wondering whether maybe the head wasn't torqued down properly or perhaps the gasket was contaminated during fitting. Either way, need to get the head off and see I guess.

So what else should I do while the head is off? I haven't got money to burn, but is there stuff I would be silly not to do? The car has done 64k and the head is totally stock. Whats the likiehood it might be warped? Should I get it skimmed anyway?

 

did you ever check the thermostat? You said you have cold air coming out of the vents with the heat on, sound like the thermostat is not opening up. You can test the thermostat by taking it out and throwing in a pot of boiling water and seeing if it opens up

 

I would take it to a good machine shop and have it checked for warpage and cracks. It should not cost that much money and would be well worth having checked out. You may also want to change timing belt etc. depending on the age of the belt.

I once blew a gasket out in toyota 1.8 litre and drove it another 15 miles home-full hot. When I removed the aluminum head, there was no damage. I had a machine shop check it for cracks and warpage and replaced the valve seals and all was well. I hope yours goes as well...

 

I have exactly the same problem. But i change the head gasket on my car. ( 93 interga) change water pump. still having problem...

pls help

thanks

 

i would definetly try a air evac kit as well. this is the tool that hooks up to shop air and draws a vacuum on the system, you then fill it back up through the tool from a hose in the bucket.

 

Change the head gasket and stop spending money on all that extra stuff. You have every possible sign of a blown head gasket.

You have condensation under the valve cover and you're losing a lot of water.

You also mentioned that it was spraying from the reservoir bottle. I don't know if this was before or after you filled it up to the top though. If it was before you completely filled it sounds like you got some pressure in your system (blown head gasket).

Bottom line....change it....good luck.

 

If I top the rad up, it will eventually end up being forced out into the overflow bottle, and then I guess when there's too much coolant in there, it sprays out of the overflow bottle cap... hence the rad ends up dry and the bottle is full. So yes, there's pressure in the system = head gasket

So I will change the head gasket and get the head checked out... how easily will the ITR head warp? The car has overheated maybe 5 or 6 few times now. Each time I've whacked the heaters on and got the temps back down, and the needle has never gone all the way to Hot.

This is my daily driver so I have no choice but to keep driving it for now, but I check and refill the coolant before I go anywhere. I kind of worked out I can do 100 miles or so before the coolant level goes down in the rad. I know this isn't ideal, but so long as the temp gauge stays normal, I'm not doing any more damage right? And as soon as I can get a head gasket and get the car booked in, I'll do it...

Thanks for the replies.

 

I would not drive it that way IF at all possible. The cost of cracking a block or head etc. due to overheating far out weighs the costs of renting a car for a few days. Especially if you are paying to have the work done. If it is just a headgasket, then it should be reasonably easy and quick to change, and you will be back on the road.

If you have no other reasonable choice, then I would drive like a granny-no boost, no VTEC and keep an eye on your coolant level as you state you do. Keep us informed.