Hey there. I just bought a 1992 Acura Integra GSR (the real DB2) for $1200.00. It is in kind of rough shape with 360,000KM on the body, and an unknown amount on the "rebuilt" engine, (B17 Vtec) from what the previous owner has told me..

Anyways, I am currently getting a new clutch installed for $700 flat, and while the mechanic was inspecting the car, he came about what he called, a head gasket leak.. Now, normally mechanics try to sucker people in for money. But this is a local, family known mechanic, and he said that it would cost about $600 + to repair.. But, he said that he would not do it because it requires the engine to be taken apart.. (Thus, he was not trying to sucker me in for extra cash; he is a trust worthy guy) Anyways, since he would not do it, I cannot get any sort of discount from him on this job.. I spoke to the previous owner and he could not believe that it was from the head gasket - he seemed pretty positive that it was the cam seal that was leaking.. Now, either way, the engine is leaking oil. From what the mechanic pointed out (and where I saw the oil leak) it appeared to be the head gasket.
From some research that I have done, it looks like it is the head gasket because that would explain why the car is idling rough as well.. Therefore, Im pretty sure that it is the head gasket.

But what now? I don't feel like spending $600 + on a simple repair like this because it is mainly the labour that is making this such a heavy repair cost.. I spoke to some people I know (specifically a buddy of mine who owns a DA9, which recently did a head gasket change on his friends civic) He said he could help me, but at the moment he is very tied up. My main concern is, can I still drive the car after the new clutch is put in, and get the head gasket fixed a bit later on? (I'd say drive with the leak for 2-3 weeks after the new clutch is installed? - and no, I do not know if the previous owner drove the car with a leaking head gasket... Its been sitting over the winter, and he doesn't think its the head gasket anyhow...)

So thats about it for the situation.. Personally, I feel that I should change the head gasket, that is if my buddy offers to do it for free, or some low price.. But until that point, would it be OK to drive like this? And if anyone else has any other opinion on what I should do in terms or driving and repairing, please speak up.

Thanks, Mike Vamberger

 

open up your radiator cap and see if coolant bubbles out while the car is running if so than you do have a blown head gasket, and driving it will cause over heating, damaging the head and more expensive problem, or you could just have some seals the are bad causing the oil leak

 

Head gasket leaks are actually fairly common from Honda/Acura models. I just had my Civic EG head gasket replaced. And you are correct, practically all of that repair cost is labor. Your leak seems a bit worse than mine was, but I drove around on it for about six months before I had that cash to have it fixed so if you just have to wait for a week or two there will be almost no damage done, if any. I just wouldn't do any prolonged driving as that would increase the possibility of overheating and further damage.

 

Yea very true man.. I think its because they use aluminum components on the block and ****.. But whats bothering me is what if the previous owner had this problem for a while and was constantly driving around with a leaking head gasket? What if theres already a **** load of damage done, because he was telling me its the cam seal, but the leak is coming from a completely different location, (which is the head gasket) according to the mechanic.. I mean its hard to say, I just hope that it wont damage this engine too much because apparently its pushing 220hp modified, and B17 is rare so I'd rather maintain it.

 

if you feel comfortable working on your own car and have basic tools(and a torque wrench) changing the head gasket isn't that hard.....I learned how to work on my car by fixing problems like this on my own with no real mechanical background before. Its usually just a matter of taking apart something and then, adding new part, and then putting it back together. Plus the head gasket should only be like 70 bucks u would save yourself some serious cash.......lastly why wouldn't the mechanic do it, it is a very basic procedure especially with hondas (as noted above). Good luck

 

LMAO not true this is normal as the coolant heats up it expands since ther is no cap on the radiator the coolant bubbles out the top instead on down the drain tube to the catch can.

LOL he wouldnt do it cause he had to take the motor apat, he must be one great mechanic. Its fairly easyto do yourself if you got someone whos done it before. Buy a shop manual for your car this will help you out a ton plus youll have it for down the road if anything happens, its a priceless resorce.

 

"Sorry, not gonna do it, engines are too mechanical" -Mechanic

 

i drove mines for about 6 months..and it finally gave up on me..started cutting off and ****..

 

i was gonna say the same thing, lazy mechanic haha

 

Hey if u decide not to fix the car I am interested in it let me know if u will sell it to me email me at marcossilvaofeliamata@yahoo.com

 

How about PM'ing that instead of taking up forum space with it.

To the OP: I don't know about a mechanic who won't replace a head gasket. It's not really that hard (only labor-intensive). Plenty of people here do it in their driveways, and they aren't paid mechanics.

 

The cam seal, distributor o ring, and vtec solenoid gasket/filter do go bad with high mileage and could cause a leak as described.. Do a leak down and compression test if you can to see the current health of the motor.