Hey guys, I contacted speedfactory with this question and issue and they referred me to a proper forum to hopefully get some insight and direction.

currently I'm having an issue where under boost, coolant is pushing into the overflow until full and then pushes out the reservoir.

I figured maybe i overfilled the coolant system but leaving the coolant at a level it does not push coolant the car overheats. I pressure tested the system and it holds 16 psi pressure or 1.1 bar as the cap states. I'm wondering, what is my issue? Am i getting head lift? Currently I'm only seeing 5.5 psi on waste gate. I haven't gone any further until hopefully i can get the coolant system tamed.

93 civic cx hatchback

K24a1 long block
Nippon pistons 12.2:1

tsx rods
PPA cylinder head
Speedfactory vtec locking pins
Supertech valve train
Ferrea flat face valves

Oem headgasket

Arp head studs

Oem thermostat
skunk 2 half size radiator
Heater core deleted
Gt35 turbo

Sidewinder manifold

14" spal fan

If any other specs needed please lmk.

 

Failing head gasket for one reason or another. Remove head and check square, check deck. This is a potential nightmare of an issue.

 

I should add, this is a fresh build, that has only seen tuning. Tuning has been stopped since this is something that has to be figured out first. I wont rule out a head gasket, but under light throttle operation, there is no issues

 

that was the plan. Check for straightness, upgrade to l19 studs and another OEM gasket

 

Yup. Symptoms say HG. You get the head resurfaced or block decked?
Edit: I seriously and implicitly doubt head lift at 5.5lbs unless you're head is not properly torqued down.

 

head and blocked were resurfaced. Block was not decked by the machine shop. I agree with head not lifting at 5.5 psi. There is no mix of coolant in the oil. Car runs fine still, no smoking or anything, compression test even across the board, 150 with one tester and 190 with another +/- 5 psi

 

That’s a lot of compression for a boosted application, I’m guessing this is running on E85? It definitely sounds like a head gasket unfortunately, detonation is super easy to get into when dealing with a high compression motor and a bad gasket would be my first thought. How much boost are you running? I’m a b series guy so I can’t help much with tuning questions towards the K stuff.

 

Headgasket bad right out the package is baffling. But i guess **** happens. Especially with even compression across all cylinders. But, something is up

 

Just put one of those radiator/coolant funnels on the rad and let it idle to temp. If it's the HG, it will bubble.

 

yes. Motor has only seen e85 since it's birth. It is high, i wanted to try something different, it's not something that is commonly done if not at all. So it's not much if any info to find. Only going with it with hopes i can get it to work. Has only seen 5.5 psi off waste gate so far

 

I did, for 30 min actually to bleed the coolant. After air bubbles are gone, no bubbles. Even revved it with the cap off and nothing.

 

I guess all i can do, Is take it apart, inspect it, and go at it again with another headgasket and and l19 studs and pray for the best. Kinda wanted to know for sure before i take half the motor apart.

 

That's the only thing that would push coolant into overflow. Did you test that recently? Maybe retest if not?

 

recently yes. I wish I could post a video or even a live. Coolant bled recently, no bubbles, coolant pressure test, no leaks. Obviously under boost air is seeping by. I think I'm answering my own question, headgasket is trash, and more clamping force is probably needed.

 

Whether it's B, D, F, H, K.. Pretty universal symptom of that very thing. Sucks for sure but, easy enough to diagnose. Providing the HG was brand new on a new build following some recent machine work, I'd seriously look at the head surface to make sure it's a good, clean resurface, not scratchy lookin'.

 

it wasn't. Smooth as whistle from the machine shop. Unless it's uneven but I'd figure the machine shop would have checked that. I personally witnessed it being resurfaced. Nothing out of the ordinary. Unless it blew it out under boost slightly 🤷🏽‍♂️ we'll find out once take the head off

 

Make sure thermostat is opening.....

 

who torqued the head down? Was a very good torque wrench used? I go over the top while doing my torque sequence because I hear about people having issues like you are. I do about 10 rounds of torque to make sure it’s done perfectly with a audible torque wrench which allow you to get an exact torque number unlike clicker wrenches that are normally off per hole

 

Guess i would have to remove it to do that. I couldn't tell you if it was for certain other than the fact temp doesn't climb indefinitely. Although at idle not moving the fan has to stay on for it to not overheat. But I'd figure that's normal for any vehicle that's stationary. Everything is new. But again can't rule that out either

 

I torqued it myself. Built the motor myself minus the cylinder head internals. It's just a tq wrench from O'Reily's. I've used it before on other motors with no issue. Including the bottom end for the K24 I'm currently having issues with

 

12.5:1 compression on E-85? Then it's boosted!?! I just have to imagine that the thing would run hot at that compression ratio, regardless of boost! If you're that deep into the engine, what with the higher compression pistons, head studs,etc. I would imagine the stock type head gasket would be hanging on for dear life in this situation! I'm no expert, but yeah, that poor gasket is just not designed to handle that kind of pressure! Have you thought about having the block and head machined to accept a "ringed" style of head gasket? I don't even know if that type of gasket is available for your setup, but it's basically a gasket that has a pronounced ring around each cylinder and, unfortunately will require that you completely disassemble your engine and head to the machine shop, again, which will suck and I know you probably don't want to do it, but I think it's probably best, just because of your compression ratio, never mind the boost! Anyway, they will machine a groove around each cylinder both in the block and the head, allowing the performance head gasket to make a perfect seal around each cylinder and then allow you to make as much boost as you want to with no worries about the gasket failing. Probably wouldn't hurt to upgrade to a larger performance radiator as well. Just my two cents, hopefully I was of some help. I'd love to hear that beast running! 12.5:1!!! That's nuts! Good luck with this build and I hope you get your overheating issues figured out!

 

thanks you did help. I'm leaning towards the headgasket like everyone is saying. I did think about o ringing but like you said the entire motor would have to be disassembled. Hopefully with the upgraded studs and gasket maybe je pro seal or cometic and can get it to hold. Not sure if you can post links here but there's a few vids on youtube. K24 turbo vtec killer usually pops it up. Thanks alot guys. I know wat I'm going to do. I'll check back in along the process. Gonna be in waiting mode for shipping of parts

 

Your tune better be spot on with that high of a compression ratio, first of all, so assuming it is, next:
5.5 psi of boost is quite a bit, actually, for that high of a compression ratio. I don’t have experience with high compression and turbo, but they don’t do well together, so be careful in the future with you EGTs (exhaust gas temperatures) if you go past about 7psi or so. Next:
You mentioned the head and block were resurfaced. Isn’t that different from actually decking the block? Decking the block makes sure it’s flat. Resurfacing just makes sure there aren’t any gouges or scratches. That’s what I’m thinking the problem is. Which leads to head lift or the fact that your block might be off flatness and when under pressure, it leaks.
Replacing the head gasket and putting stonger head studs probably won’t fix the problem is my guess.

 

it was not decked, only resurfaced. However, this is not some junkyard build. Block had been checked, bored, honed, cleaned etc if there was an issue along the way i would have known. I believe the gasket is just blown. Why so quickly idk. I'll find out, i can take a straight edge to it or to a machine shop. I'll share pics, will probably be off in the next few days. This was just a base tune. No where near perfect. Never made it to the dyno. I scheduled but cancelled soon after i noticed the overflow situation hoping it could be resolved before taking it and have something go wrong there, but it just got worse and worse. it's gonna require a little disassembly.

This is new to me as well, so I'm learning. Hopefully this is something that i can make work reliably as there is not many builds of this high a compression that are successful where i can get info from. I'm hoping to make it work

 

Good luck on the next build. For sure check on the deck of the block.
This this is a recent thread that was similar, it’s worth the read:
https://honda-tech.com/forums/forced...-lift-3355500/