jweller

ok this is long so thanks to anyone who takes the time to read it. I'm trying to provide as much detail as possible.

I noticed my radiator and overflow tank was full of muck. classic symptom of a blown headgasket right? No coolant in the oil, no smoke, and the car still runs great. I replace the headgasket, but because I'm in a hurry to get it done, against my better judgement, I don't get the head milled I drive it for a couple days and it blows again. same thing. oil in coolant, no coolant in oil, no smoke, car runs great but overheats. buy a used head, and have it milled flat. replace the headgasket and put the new head on. car runs great.

about a week later - today - it over heats. I have been flushing the radiator as much as possible and trying to get all the muck out of the cooling system but It's not easy. I can't tell if all the crap in the radiator is just leftover stuff coming up to the top or new fresh muck.

compression looks good in all 4 cyls, still no coolant in the oil, no smoke. new thermostat, new rad cap, new rad fan switch.

I'm pretty sure that the head isn't cracked. I know it's flat. I feel pretty good about the headgasket having a good seal since I've got good compression. Only 3 things I can think of right now

1)radiator is so gummed up it won't cool efficiently
2)block is warped
3)block is cracked

I'm assuming my problem is wherever the oil gets pumped up from the pan into the head, since there isn't any coolant in the oil


any thoughts would be helpful right now.

spaceman

how about your water pump?do you have a ac/heater you know that heat exchanger under your dash maybe that thing got stuff in it or maybe your running lean and your motor is getting hot

jweller

water pump was replaced abut 25k ago along with the timing belt. OEM part. aside from leaking, how would I be able to tell the pump was bad?

I know the heater core is mucked up because I've turned the heat on full blast a couple times to take heat off the motor.

no idea if I'm lean or not. I'm not throwing any codes.

ultimatehonda

How many miles do you have on that radiator? It could be bad. Have u tried to run compresion through the cooling system. I think they have a kit where you can pump compression into the system to find leaks, maybe that can help you.

jweller

125k on the rad. I haven't seen any evidence of the rad leaking....

spaceman

so where was the muck coming from?fix that problem then you will probably be ok,i have been researching the cooling system and i think these are the main thinks to check replace/thermostat,thermoswitch,water pump,radiator and various seals..is there any kind of leak that you can find?other than that its your head gasket..whats your coolant/water mixture usually like half and half or what?

jweller

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by spaceman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so where was the muck coming from?</TD></TR></TABLE>

that is the $25,000 question isn't it?

maxrpm

I had overheating problems like yours also, mine was because the block was warped instead of the head. Check the block for straightness.

jweller

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by maxrpm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I had overheating problems like yours also, mine was because the block was warped instead of the head. Check the block for straightness.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I will definately check that out. does the block have to be removed to get it decked flat? I'm assuming it does.

this is the first time I've heard of a honda block getting warped

jweller

bump for the morning crew