So I've been having all this work done on my 03 Civic, I love it! it runs fast, it runs strong, finally took it on a trip up to the Poconos, having a grand time not racing but having a grand time driving the twisty roads and highways around the Delaware River valley and Poconos.

Common knowledge? all Hondas seem to need head gaskets around hundred thousand miles? well she did not overheat! I got an engine check light I heard a noise I thought it was a rattle pulled off to a convenience store /gasstation open the hood, found coolant all over the place, checked the oil OMG!! added 3 quarts it only holds three point seven.

Stunned, I be like WTF?? Happened to the oil?? A blown head gasket can cause the loss of that much oil?
I didn't find any external leaks anywhere. Just oil in the overflow tank and bubbles at the radiator cap.
​​We were going to do it, my friend is a retired mechanic, but I had it taken down to the shop I've been using for years. I should know more this week. (Last I checked JDM had 5, 1.7 Vtecs)

 

Did you check you oil level before starting what sounds to be like a serious road trip of many days?

When a car is consuming oil, it will just burn it as you drive. Depending on how much it consumes will depend on how fast and often you have to add oil.

You drove the car out of oil and you may need more than just a head gasket. And it's quite likely it's not a head gasket as the issue. Don't usually lose oil from a head gasket, you usually lose coolant and overheat and lose compression (misfires).

If you don't see oil on the ground, then it's being burned in the engine.

 

Thank you for the replies Tom! It had a recent oil change I never thought to check it and I'm wondering if it's possible the shop I've been using for over 20 years somehow did not put oil back into the engine, shudder the thought!

Lost oil is why I decided my friend and I not to do the work.

So in addition to compression checks I need to get oil pressure checked?

far as I can determine, it did not overheat and the temp gauge is working, and moves to normal position.

​​There is quite a bit of oil inside the overflow tank but only a little bit on the radiator cap. I guess it is possible oil gets pumped through the system and blows out with the water only good thing from it everything looks nice oily and shiny now underneath the hood!

I didn't drive long or far on the first hint of trouble. I've never done that when I've had car trouble.

 

I guess there's a good reason I didn't sell my ranger yet...

 

If the car actually ran dry of oil, and you are finding it in the cooling system, then yes it could have a head gasket issue. It could also be a cracked head or block. Also when the car runs dry of oil, there is nothing to protect the camshaft and it's journals or the crankshaft and it's bearings and journals, As such the engine if it still spins may very likely need a near or total rebuild which will cost you more than a used JDM engine.

 

Well I'm hoping it's not the worst case.

it starts easily, runs smoothly doesn't sound any different than it ever did.
​​​​​​
I does have excessive pressure, bubbles & oil in the coolant, white exhaust (clouds), oil not milky or brown. No noticeable blowby ​​​​​​ pressure coming at the oil filler.

Researching...
RE haynes https://haynes.com/en-us/tips-tutori...asket-can-fail

2) Compression leak to oil galleries

If the head gasket fails between the cylinder and an oil gallery,compression will enter the oil system and pressurize the crankcase. Hot compression gasses will compromise the lubrication of vital bearings, such as the crankshaft main bearings.

The same failure will also allow the piston to suck oil into the cylinder, where it will be burned off as part of the combustion process. This will eventually cause a drop in engine oil levels, and will also cause blue smoke from the exhaust from burning oil.



Hopefully I pulled the car off the road quickly enough and didn't get more damage.

 

Not feeling the love, I ordered a JDM engine
Hopefully hopefully in a week or two I'll be back on the road,

 

Not feeling the love, I ordered a JDM engine
Hopefully hopefully in a week or two I'll be back on the road,

 

nice ranger. I got a 93 short cab 7ft bed. its got the rust belt cancer though

 

thanks..it's a 94 rust heaven on the frame. not cracked yet. I had a 93 long bed. no rust but needed an auto trans rebuild.
JDM delived the engine it's going to be awhile the shop i use is jammed up.

 

Hi everyone!
Been gone from the here for nearly 6 months!

Story goes like this... after the head gasket went.. feeling really bummed out. and knowing my old friend and I just were not up to the task. I had the beast flatbed-ed back to the shop I've been using for over 20 years. That was nearly 6 months ago. I did get the JDM 1.7 delivered and I must say working with JDM NY was a very pleasant experiance!

the shop is short handed by about 5 techs so I had to wait. (we loyal types will do that) Finally the day she came home arrived! water pump, belt, new ac comp, at least one new engine mount, ARP head studs and head gasket before he put it back in the car. Tells me the JDM engine was like new inside (changed the oil pan over too) new flywheel, & clutch kit also

Runs GREAT! "except" for the PO148 EGR code every half hour, Got a new EGR, hope the manifold doesn't need cleaning. (more work not expected)

Smelled something plastic like melting.. He had mentioned high voltage. Of course I thought it was the Alternator. But then I find out Honda uses an EDL in most of the fuse panels So I have a running mutt! that "may" have electrical problems, Getting a new Alt anyway.

Hopefully in a week or so I have the EDL and EGR problems worked out.

meanwhile.. must house is under agreement to sell mid march.. really thinking Civic SI 2016-18 for my "next" if I do stay with Honda. I plan to drive east coast to west this spring... need good wheels under me!