My daughter has overheated her accord on an interstate highway to the point that the car slowed and eventually stopped. Her temp gauge was not working. 3 of the 4 spark plug boots have lifted up and have become stuck or melted to the tubes. It looks like the entire radiator emptied around the cap. A thick black sludge is all around the outside of the cap. Looking into the radiator, none of the cooling tubes inside can be seen due to the amount of the black sludge stuff.

I'm sure that a new head will be needed. But, could you give me any insight as to the possibility of the entire engine being shot. Can the blocks handle such a severe overheat and still be usable? I don't know the exact letters of the engine, but I believe it begins with an "F" and ends with an "A1".

 

Pick up a JDM F23a and just put a motor in the car. You can pick that motor up cheaper than the Head gasket set and head bolts and timing belt, water pump, etc. Getting that hot, the bottom end may have some life let, but it is probably getting a little asthmatic.

 

Thanks for the reply. Any idea what one of these engines should cost?