I'm going to look at a '96 Integra LS this Saturday, the owner says that it needs a headgasket. He states that at 45,000 miles he had to have the headgasket replaced because it blew, the pressure in the coolant system was forcing coolant through the top of the radiator (around plastic top). He had it fixed and now at 66,000 miles the same thing is happening.

Does this sound like a headgasket problem? I thought the engine would suck in coolant and leave white "smoke" from the tailpipe?

When this happens does the head/block usually have to be decked? What do you guys think.

Thanks,
Vince

 

sounds like the radiator is bad first of all.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by H23 Power &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">sounds like the radiator is bad first of all.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah it was hard to get a good take on what was going on from the owner, unless it's really just leaking from the cap i'm sure it'll need a new radiator. I'm just wondering if a bad head gasket would cause the radiator to be over pressured and still not create white smoke.

Vince

 

If the coolant system is "over pressured" it should over flow ... into the over flow...

Sounds like it just needs a new radiator.

 

So you guys think that if the headgasket were blown the radiator wouldn't be overpressured, and the tailpipe would show white smoke?

Possibly this guy saying that the radiator is leaking from the plastic piece on top of the radiator he means the overflow tank...i'll have to check it out to be sure.

Thanks,
Vince

 

I think it is just the radiator cap because that is what should open when there is to much pressure built up in the cooling system and let excess coolant into the overflow. They may have a bad, or wrong cap on the radiator.

 

Same thing happened to me I was scared but turned out I had such a tiny pinhole leak on my heater hose I was loosing coolant and allowing air into the system, that caused the bubbles and overheating. I checked my oil and it wasn't milky and no white sweet smelling exhaust. If I would you I would check the compression of each cylinder to see if its OK, mine was 175 all across so thats good. If you come to the conclsion you need a headgasket IM me @ IntegraAlteeza because I have one for a LS Engine (b18b1) that I bought from Sunnyside Acura and never used. I will let it go for cheap because turned out in my case that my hose was bad.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Integra Integra &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Same thing happened to me I was scared but turned out I had such a tiny pinhole leak on my heater hose I was loosing coolant and allowing air into the system, that caused the bubbles and overheating. I checked my oil and it wasn't milky and no white sweet smelling exhaust. If I would you I would check the compression of each cylinder to see if its OK, mine was 175 all across so thats good. If you come to the conclsion you need a headgasket IM me @ IntegraAlteeza because I have one for a LS Engine (b18b1) that I bought from Sunnyside Acura and never used. I will let it go for cheap because turned out in my case that my hose was bad.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Awesome, I'll do a compression check on the engine, check the oil like you said and check the radiator/components for leaks. If it looks like a headgasket I'll IM you.

Thanks again!
Vince

 

the top of the radiator is plastic, and they all go bad at some point. 66,000 is a bit early, but not out of the question. I have had 2 teg (DA and DC) both of them the same radiator issue.

Look for white streaks around the radiator, this is the color of coolant when it dries out. if you see white all over the radiator and espically around the top tank you can be pretty sure the radiator is blown.

But as you said to be safe do a compression and leak down test.

 

Yup I also agree with RaceMech Integras are prone to developing those seal leaks on the top ends of the radiator. Pressure test your cooling system if nothing comes up then check compression (this also gives you an indication of how good your engine is sealing) Let me know I have a HD sitting in my room and needa sell it.

Good Luck