Someone please help me.

I'm on my third headgasket already. It started last friday when the car just started overheating out of the blue. I pulled the radiator cap and let the car run and it was bubbling...so i figured the stock headbolts probably stretched since i reused them...

I got ARP head studs and a new gasket, put everything back together tonight and let it warm up then cool down, checked all fluids. Didn't overheat for about 10 mins of driving so i boosted a little bit...then came home. Right as i pull into the driveway the gauge goes up a little past normal . I immediately popped the hood and noticed that the sticker on the radiator cap was bulging just like it did last time...too much pressure. So i let it cool down and checked it for bubbles again and sure enough the little bubbles started coming up.

What the hell could this be!? I checked the head and the deck for warpage with a straight edge, both were perfect.

The radiator fan is coming on, the water pump and thermostat are brand new...what is going on what could possibly be causing this!?

I'm ready to give up and put my n/a engine back in..never had one problem with it.

Thanks to anyone that can help..

 

-Detonation
-not torquing the head down to proper specs.
-not installing the head gasket properly
-compression too high
-boost too high (relates to compression)
-head gasket not in good shape
-not using good sealant for the headgasket (multi-layer)


Just some reasons I could think of off the bat...

 

the only thing i can think of that i did differently the day the first gasket blew was put in new spark plugs...same exact plugs BKR7E same gap .32. The headgasket blew later that night. I was trying to think of a way that the new plugs could be causing this but i can't. Visually the plugs look perfect..no signs of detonation at all.

 

overheated?
maybe warped the head or block.

 

you could have cracked a sleeve also....it happened to a buddy....We thought it was the head gasket too, but the crack in the sleeve casued the coolant and oil to mix slowly. One true sign is the coolant overflowing the overflow tank...

 

what's your setup?

 

Did you use a machinist's straight edge to check your block and head? Can't just use something that you think is straight. Any signs of leakage on close examination of head gasket?

 

yes i used a real straight edge. No signs of leakage from the headgasket. I'm starting to think it isn't the headgasket causing my problems. The oil still looks normal so i don't think coolant is mixing with it. and the coolant I didn't really look at too hard i was mostly paying attention to the small bubbles and instantly thought headgasket.

Is there any way a radiator cap or thermostat could be causing excess pressure in the cooling system. I'm gonna try a new radiator cap from honda tomorrow. The one i have on now i bought a month ago...its just a generic replacement cap from the auto parts store...maybe this cheap cap is causing my problems?

 

one more thing, did you torque the new studs in the right order and to the right specs from ARP? Your head could be lifting...

oen other way is to get a higher pressure radiator cap

 

Plugged radiator?
Sleeved dropped in block .001-.003?
Hose collapsing?
Radiator cap losing pressure?
Re-torque head when cool (yes, pain in the ***)
Timing too far advanced?
Defective new thermostat?


[Modified by earl, 10:49 PM 3/7/2002]

 

Does yours have a bleeder valve? I had a 88 Prelude that busted the upper radiator hose.. I changed it out and refilled, and it was overheating. turns out it just had air in the system and water pump wasn't pumping enough coolant..

I'm sure if you have one you checked it, I just found out the hard way

 

I have a feeling that your radiator is plugged. My friend had the SAME problem. His reservoir kept on bubbling. But he replaced the radiator with an OEM one and the problem went away.

 

When you filled the radiator did you get the air out? If not, let it run with the cap off and see if any bubbles come out. When the car overheats, does coolant flow back into the resvoir? Let us know for more help.

 

yes i used the bleeder screw, i've done this 5 million times along with installing cylinder heads so i am positive everything is done right.

i checked it today when it was cold...took off the cap and let it idle..no bubbles. When the car overheats coolant does not flow to the reservoir. Im not using coolant anymore at this point im filling it with straight water and the waters stays clear after it starts circulating..not mixing with oil...and the oil looks perfect as well.

The upper and lower hose both get hot and coolant starts flowing so i put the cap on. Then after about 20 mins of idling it is perfect temp and stays there. I pulled out to go drive and right as i start pulling out it overheats.

any ideas?

Also, i installed another new thermostat and radiator cap from honda today. So i can rule those out..


[Modified by Willis, 11:34 PM 3/8/2002]