My son has a 1991 Honda, 225,000 miles, that has most of the indicators that it has a bad head gasket - disappearing radiator fluid, water dripping from tail pipe, stumbles at initial start up with a little white smoke then runs fine. However, it still has good compression, 175 across all 4 cylinders. I've changed more than a few head gaskets over the years, but I don't recall ever having a bad head gasket with out also having low compression. Is there something unique about Honda head gasket or am I having a senior moment. How is this possible?

 

is there oil in the rad fluid?

 

Not sure of your background, but if you come from a domestic iron background, honda HGs and blocks are different than what you are used to. They are a open deck design with a multi layer steel (MLS) HG

 

Do a leak-down test to find which cylinder is affected. It sounds like a hair-line crack or a very small leak in the gasket. Also check and compare the plugs.

 

easiest way, is to do a block check. when honda heads heat up due to a overheat, they tend to warp very easily. I'm assuming bad head gasket. I touch honda's everyday, and see these things.