I recently purchased a 94 vtec lude (like 10 days ago). I love it! Well the other day i was working on it and i noticed the anitfreezed was low. Thought hmm thats funny i just did a flush and refill. Yes i did refill it, thought well maybe there was an air pocket or a hole in the over flow tank. Refilled it and drove it around last night. Today before class went to check othe over flow tank. IT was half empty? Talked to my mechanic (he is family)he told to check my plugs for white corrision (sp) . There was. Asked me if there was any external leaks nope none, Not coming from the water pump or timing belt. It is going in on friday. He said that it might be a blow headgasket (in the range of a 1,000 job) But thats not the worst of it the head might be fecked up. PLus when i got the car the oil was black no big deal, changed it, wipers sucked no biggy. Brakes are shot he put new pads on shot rotors my car virbrates like no other. IF there is a headgasket i am gonna make him pay. If there is a head problem i am getting a refund(i talked to the guy). He is going to pay i want to take him to court and get his state inspection license revoked. If this is all true. Sorry so long and confusing. I am pissed.

 

thoughts, comments ???

 

1/2 of your overflow tank gone? i dont think thats something too horrible to worry about. Now if it became bone dry, then I'd say that's more serious. It's possible that your coolant system could just accomodate some extra fluid, like you didn't put enough in when you flushed and refilled it.

 

Sounds like a world of **** to me, sorry to hear that dude. I'd definitely be bitching at that dude for sure

 

mike the first time the tank was empty thats why i did the flush. then the second time it was low so i thought it was an air pocket now after about 40 miles its half empty again.

 

i wouldn't worry to much about the head being screwed up, as long as it didn't over heat, your good. a blown head gasket is realy no biggie, you can do it yourself if your are mechaincally iclined. all you need is a helms manual and some tools. if i were you, since you need to take the head off, i'd be doin a little porting and polishing while i have the chance.

 

see if youre blowing white smoke that will tell u if its a blown headgasket

 

Yes also I am blowing white smoke out my exhaust I had my friend rev it up while i was behind it and low and behold a cloud of white smoke.

 

Isn't the Overflow tank always supposed to be empty? Fluid only gets put in it when the system overheats, expands, pushes the spring up on the radiator cap and fluid exits to the overflow tank. When/How does the system ever pull fluid back in?
-Mike-

 

it is also a vacuum. the hose goes all the way to the bottom, when the coolant gets low, it actually sucks the overflowed coolant back into the radiator

 

Have your mechanic do a cylinder leak down test.

 

i doubt a leakdown test will prove too much though. it's obvious that he's got water in the combustion chamber, b/c of the white on the plugs. by doing a leakdown, that's just more money you are ahving to spend to determine something you are fairly sure has happened. it's not too hard to get the head off, if you are paying someone to do it, juat use the money towards getting the headgasket replaced.

 

I disagree; we are all speculating on a car that no one here but the owner has seen. I still suggest a leakdown test. Besides, he needed a friend to rev his car to see the white smoke. *usually* white smoke would be billowing from the car if he has a blown head gasket. Another sure sign would be overheating almost immedately. Neither of which he has complained about...

IMO, its nothing, but get a leakdown test down, just for confirmation.

David

 

hopefgully this will teach you next time to buy a car...always do a leakdown/compression test, look for smoke...etc...

 

I also agree with a leakdown test. Confirm the white smoke is coolant, it will have a sweeter smell to it. Coolant has a very unique smell when it burns.

I had a similar problem a long time ago, coolant was seeping into the cc when in vacuum(it's turbo'd). I ghetto fixed it by re-torquing the head bolts. This helped in my case because I had a copper gasket and it re-sealed. I would not just start tightening them, but it wouldn't hurt to check their current torque settings.

Where in PA are you? (IM me if you want it kept private) If you're not too far from me, i'd be happy to come give it a look at, or you could bring it to my place.

 

I e-mailed you. But yes i was told that this a sweet smell like pancake batter mix??? It's def. not a sweet smell.

 

were there no symptoms at the time of the purchase?

you'd be really lucky if the guy refunds you the money. if you signed a buy "as-is" bill of sale.

but if you end up keeping it and need a headgasket. a jdm longblock could be your best bet and cheapest.

 

Cool, I just emailed you back. The pancake batter mix is a good analogy, it sure is a sweet smelling smoke.

 

pilotsi and apexii! Wasssup, long time no see .

 

I shot ya another e mail. OH and its driveable, it doesnt even run hot that why i am so confused. thanks again

 

Damm tex, I swear I was just thinking yesterday, "what the hell happened to the texan???"

So hows it going? It's getting to be just like the good 'ol days in here!

 

Cool Joe, I just shot you another with my info and address.... I'll see you tonight!

To keep this on topic, , I just made a few calls looking for a coolant tester. You can get a probe that will measure the amount of carbon monoxide but it's a fortune. Here is a link to one.

I was trying to find test strips that we could use to dip in coolant to measure the CO levels without paying a shop $50-75 to tell us. I can't find them, but there has to be something like that out there. There is strips that will tell you if your coolant mixture has enough coolant in it, but these won't help much now.

We'll just feel it out tonight, I have lots of parts if we need to swap anything.

 

Quick question.. when you refilled the coolant did you bleed the system of air from the bleed screw on the thermostat housing? That could account for the lost coolant. I also wanted to let you know that a slight amount of white on your plugs is normal, mine has it and I do not use coolant.

 

holy ****, an HP.com reunion! Good to seem some more 3rd gens here.