I've had a coolant leak that I couldn't track down since I purchased this accord about 8 months ago. It's ran fine and never gave me problems until about a month ago where I was having a very rough idle. One day after I pulled into a gas station the car just wouldn't start. Come to find out I've got water in my cylinders from a hole in my head. I'm thinking the guy I bought it from didn't have any anti-freeze in there last winter and it froze and punctured the head.

What do you guys think? Chance that it's just the head and go for a replacement, or don't risk it and sell the car?

'94 Accord 2.2l F22b w/ 73,000 miles

 

'94 EX with 73k miles? More likely over heated than froze. The radiator would freeze/crack before the block. You can get an engine with comparable miles for $500 - $700. Shops around here would do that swap for $1500 or so. Just to give you an idea.

 

That's the thing, at $1500 it'd really be more than it's worth for a swap. Do you think the problem is isolated in the cylinder head, or do you think the block itself is damaged?

 

The motor would have to be pulled apart to asses the damage. Typically, unless a rod went through the side of the block, it can be rebuilt. You most likely bent a rod or two. What did you pay for the car? How long have you had it? How much are you going to try to sell it for? Those are the questions. A car with 73k miles (especially a Honda) is still pretty young, regardless of age. There is no reason you can't put another 100k on that car if you swap the motor.

 

i would imagine you got a stuffed head gasket rather than something wrong with your block aye,blocks pretty solid but where there a join theres a weak spot hence why im guessin head gasket

 

I paid $980 for the car and put another $1200 or so into it. I've had it for about 8 months. If I sell it, I'm thinking about listing it for $1500 obo and taking anything above $1000.

I don't think it's the head gasket. If it was the gasket I'd have coolant in my oil/oil in my coolant, but would I have water in my firing cylinders?

 

it would depend where the gasket failed as to what would go where and what would be in what etc. your head could even be warped slightly i dont know just trying t say dont throw it away beore youve done some checking. wont take much to get the head off and check