First of all, please dont flame me, but i really need some assistance and direction on where to go...

I currently have a 95 civic hatchback with a 1.6L d16y7 5 speed

I have bought the car from a guy on clist. Once i drove off and hopped on the freeway, the car started throwing white smoke and had no power, on stoplights the engine was cutting off... started overheating like hell too!! So i figure... head gasket blew...

Prior to that, the car did have a brand new radiator... if that matters lol

So i parked the car, went to local infamous auto parts store and got me "head gasket fix", followed all the instructions. Replaced the oil as needed, new thermostat, made sure the fan works, refilled the coolant and did new spark plugs/wires...

After i fired up the car, it ran fine, even 6 months later to this day... still runs like a damn champ even under heavy needed acceleration on the interstate. But im still nervous and always have concerns in the back of my head


Now, to the question! Should i be driving the car? Is the engine done for? Should i replace the head gasket? Since then, i have gone through 2 oil changes... and the car still idles and runs great, gets above 35 mpg city and hwy combined

Thanx, i need some opinions, im new to cars in general.

 

if there is no smoke and no overheating, leave it alone and enjoy it...

 

If your constantly commuting just to be on the safeside when you get a chance i would get the head gasket and water pump replaced, just because when you need it most is when it will completely fail. Thats how it always is with me anyways lol.

 

When you bought it did you test drive it? sounds like it was not a hidden problem to begin with?

As for driving it, you have a bandaid on it, how long will last like gambling I guess.

I would say this watch the temp gauge and the exhaust and mixing of coolant and oil, and then if those signs come up then decide is it worth doing the headgasket.

 

Brand new radiator would have tipped me off that there had previously been an overheating problem, invoking increased scrutiny.

 

not always, sometimes the stockers just rot out. like my truck, i bought it and the fins were pretty messed up the core didn't look the greatest. sure it worked, but i spent the $250 and got me a nice 3 core radiator