hybrid90

I have a tiny leak coming from the cyclinder head gasket for about a week now. Temp needle is normal driving through 95 degrees weather with AC, no overheating at all.

Question is.. is it safe to continue driving with the tiny leak or should I dig into my wallet and get it replaced? If so, how much does it cost?

OR is it easy to replace? I've repaced radiators and also worked on the suspension before so is it doable with your average tools at home?

This is for a 98 Civic LX

kaiba

Ticking time bomb

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Are you sure you're not talking about the valve cover gasket? How do you know you've got a "tiny leak"?

hybrid90

No it's not the VC gasket.
I see a little trail of coolant dripping on the corner from the crack of the head where the gasket sits. That's a leak from a faulty gasket isn't it? Am I missing something?

It's been a week and I drive my car 60 miles to and from work and my coolant level stays nearly the same.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

No that would be the headgasket. I would replace it at the soonest opportunity. it's not "easy" to replace but if you follow directions you should be able to do it. Preferably on the weekend or when you have a couple of days free.

hybrid90

Hmmm another damn problem! Guess I need to get a Haynes manual and get to it this weekend then... sucks!

Btw.. thanks!

ozh_hawaiian

I would get it done asap! you are not overheating now, but if you do, you will risk possibly warping the head or the block.... where it stands now, you might be able to get away with not machineing the head, and just switching out the gasket.... there are a few site that you can download the factory service manual for your car in PDF form, this will give you exact instructions, and torque numbers, and everything! should only take a few hours to do! just be very precise when torquing down the head

hybrid90

Wrenching and torqueing I can do but for the Civic, don't you have to take off the timing belt and all that other stuff? That I've never done before.

I'm soooooo scuuured right now

Called a shop around my area and he quoted about $600 give or take. Is that reasonable?

jumby

time bomb is a good way to put it. warping is an issue if it fails big time but so is hydrolock if the seal goes and coolant gets in a cylinder at speed. water can't be compressed and you can bend rods and all sorts of fun things...

hybrid90

Ok since you put it that way.. I need to get this taken care of asap.

Thanks for the input!

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

$600 is reasonable. I think that's the book rate. The only thing you might have problems with is getting the crank pulley bolt off. I always allow more time than is usual because NO routine job ever goes right when I'm wrenching!

95b18c1egcoupe

i agree with grumblemarc no job ever goes right. lol but the headgasket isnt that bad of a job it just takes a few hours to do.

hyperblu

If it's a SOHC, it can be changed in less than an hour if you've done it before... however, I would investigate further... It may be leaking from the thermostat housing and just looks like it's coming off the head...

95b18c1egcoupe

true i would check all the possiblities before pulling the head off of my engine

hybrid90

Yeah it is a SOHC and yes I'm going to triple-check where the leak is actually coming from before attempting taking off the head.

Gonna be a busy weekend up ahead.

ozh_hawaiian

you can change the whole timing belt if you want, which is reccomended, but you dont necessarily have to, and if you dont, its way easier... you'll just have to loosen the tension bolt, push on the timing belt to create tension, and tighten the tensioner bolt while keeping tension on the belt, this will leave slack in the belt, and then it will slide off the cam gear

Gt limited(jdm approved)

i say no honda engines delicate in that area

hybrid90

What?

Gt limited(jdm approved)

i saying it because u might wrap the head if it overheats

LSTurbo23

I drove from nj to VA on a blown headgasket....so yes you can drive it...is it smart? Not at all...replace t asap....id get t
he head decked if there was any overheating..don't be scared to do it by yourself...hardest part is gettng the crank pulley off..especially if your crank pulley doesn't have the hex shape