My '90 CRX Si started leaking coolant into the oil. After 220k miles, I figured the ORIGINAL gasket must have finally gave out. Changed it out and now I'm getting coolant into cylinders 1 and 3, lots white smoke out the exhaust and all.

So, I'm guessing the head is warped. My question is; do I need to get the block resurfaced at the same time as the head, or is it likely just the head?

Thanks,
Sean

 

Have it inspected by machine shop, they'll advise you if it's needed or not.

 

Usually not. Mechanic here, very rarely does anything but the head become warped.

 

The block is probably ok. Get the head checked out, they will probably tell you the same.

 

Exactly. The head is aluminum (right?) while the block is usually cast something or another and is much more resiliant. Get them both checked out by the same shop and they can probably tell you.

You got new head bolts right? If you reused them (and 220K is a couple of miles for those) they may have stretched or something and are causing the coolant to leak past your head gasket.

 

The block is aluminum too, just more durable than the head. Get ARP head studs and never have to buy them again.

 

Until you get the Honda bug, then you buy sets of them haha.

 

You know... I did reuse the old ones. Bolt stretch was not something I considered. I'll try replacing them before I have the head checked. Since it never overheated, warpage doesn't seem super likely.

Thanks for all the input, everyone. I'll post the results after new bolts.

Dumb question follow-up... do I need to do another new gasket?

Cheers,

 

yes, new gasket fo-sho!!