Another noob with a problem needs help diagnosing his problem.

My Background: I am a fairly handy chap, I enrolled in the Auto Tech program at my local JuCo after high school. I finished one year but left the program after discovering that I suck at diagnosis. Seriously, I disassembled almost an entire engine over a bad fuel filter in class.

The Car: I retrieved a 1995 Acura Integra SE 1.8L B18B1 (non Vtec ) from a bloke two weeks ago. I noticed the coolant was green when I purchased it.

We checked compression and it was 180 - 150 - 170 - 180 (the engine was warm)

The Problem: Yesterday while cruising down the road I heard a strange sound, it sounded like woo-oo. I slowed down and the noise stopped, so it was not speed dependent. I saw that the next exit was 1/2 a mile, so I put on my hazards and slowly made my way to the off ramp. When I got to the light at the end of the ramp the noise was louder more like a roar. When I went to accelerate to get to the gas station half a block away the noise was terrible, like something was caught in my engine, so when I came to a stop and then accelerated again it was the worst. As soon as I pulled in the gas station I cut the car off and watched a decent sized puddle form in front of the driver side tire, it was engine coolant.

I called my local tow jockey and he came to get me. He cranked the car said it was drive able (for a short distance) and drove it on to his truck. At his shop he quoted me for a timing belt and water pump. I had him tow in to my house and had a 'mobile' mechanic come by this morning. He diagnosed the same thing.

The second mechanic did a COLD compression test and got 180 - 150 - 150 - 120.

Neither of these fine gentlemen are Honda/Acura specialists so what do you think?

Pictures: Will be up once my lazy brother returns my camera.

More Information: Is available at your request ask and I shall go get you anything you need to know.

Thanks: I have a few measly dollars in my Paypal for clear and well reasoned answers.

 

hmm ok have you found from WHERE the coolant has come from ? when this happened did the temperature gauge start to rise(overheat). is you timing belt intact ? and is timing correct that compression is low for that engine it should be atleast 180 1-4 when hot a leakdown test needs to be done. to me this sounds like either the HG blew or you "jumped" timing water pump might have failed also. take the VC off aand the upper timing belt cover off and spin the motor by hand a few times inspecting the belt as you go just remove the spark plugs. as so you're not fighting compression. can't advise much else until leakdown test has been done

 

The interesting thing about it is the temperature gauge never shot up. It stay around the half way mark the whole time.

Shot a video while the mechanic had it running. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxPCa...ature=youtu.be

As far as tracing the leak I have not, I was chased inside by the rain. I will get the VC and timing cover off if it subsides.

 

Might just be a coincidence. that noise makes me think of a loose rocker or a timing belat that is coming apart. Normally that wouldn't be associated with a coolant leak. Must diagnose more and find the noise source and the leak source when weather allows.

 

Did a little bit of work when the weather cleared. http://s497.photobucket.com/user/bdl...?sort=3&page=1

I am inside again...

 

Everything looks ok. Any excessive play on the rockers? Excessive play in the timing belt?

 

compression is still low....do a leakdown test

 

I got under it for a bit this evening. Nothing stood out as the cause of the leak. There was coolant on the oil pan bolts...

I turned the crank by hand and everything seemed okay, the timing belt was a bit loose.

I am off to Sunday night family diner but I will be available after that but it will be dark by then.

http://s497.photobucket.com/user/bdl...?sort=3&page=1

 

well top up your coolant and bleed the sys. while doing that look for any leaks. it HAD to come from somewhere.

 

Sorry for the double post but I goofed this morning. During the compression test I was inside the car while the mechanic was under the hood. I was bumping the starter but I did not have the throttle open.

I did the test 160 - 150 - 170 - 160. This was with a cold engine and the valve cover bolts only hand tight.

I will be bleeding the coolant system soon.

 

you could have the VC off wouldn't make a difference. for cold that seems "ok" that 150 is low tho when the car is hot redo it.

 

I got a bit of work done before work this morning and the out side of the timing cover is wet from coolant.

 

pic ? and if that's the case i'd say water pump.... but that's on the inside of the cover there is NOTHING other than that on that side coolant related

 

I will get a picture in the morning before work. Its going to be a bit slow working on the car this week with my crazy work schedule, but I will be using the long weekend ahead to fix it.

 

Are you from england or austrailia?

anyways. post a pic and it would help alot!

 

I see you most likely need a new water pump and a timing belt tensioner, rotate engine untill cam gears are up, do the maks line up or have you skipped a tooth? 94

 

This week got away from me, work was crazy anyways I have dedicated tomorrow to solving and repairing the issue.

 

Sorry to double post but the water pump was bad. I fell down some bloody stairs and had to take the car to a shop.