Forum Home
PC World Chat
Thread ID: 70389	2006-07-01 13:28:00	Head gasket? :(	george12 (7)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
467824	2006-07-02 12:11:00	Ouch! I'm going to do a compression test on it tomorrow if possible. Is there any way to tell if it's the head gasket or something worse before dismantling the engine? If it is a cracked head? How much for just the head from a wreckers? I have a mechanic friend who can help me do the work. My price limit is about $500 total for parts, and that would be stretching it. Cheers George	george12 (7)
467825	2006-07-02 15:11:00	Actually, what you need to do is a "blow-down" test, as I doubt a compression test will reveal anything . If the engine runs evenly or cranks in a smooth, (not syncopated) but with definite cylinder-by-cylinder rhythm, then I'd discount any results from a compression test . A good mechanic will listen to it run and crank to give him a choice of tests to perform first . It seems really academic though since you have a cooling system with a leak to the exhaust evidenced by the water going out the tailpipe . If after removing the thermostat completely for testing purposes (cost = $0) and seeing if the trouble goes away or not, you still get water in the exhaust . . . then it's a matter of tearing it down and doing it right or trying some snake-oil to patch it up . I would pressurize the cooling system for a few hours with a tester (most garages have these), having removed the spark plugs and then slowly cranking the engine over to see if any water got into the cylinders . Water in the cylinders, water in the oil or vice versa is also another indication that it's time to pull the head . As to a junkyard head . . . why bother? . . . you already have a used head that probably can be fixed . . . and Honda heads are machinable up to about . 080" on the surface . You won't get a history report on a used junk head . . . but you do know how your was up to this point . The risk is too high (read: expensive) if you have to change the head a second or third time trying to get along on a used head . Junkyard heads are a last resort anyway . If you caught it fast enough, it just going to be a head gasket anyway . . . and that's an expense you'll have with your head or a used one anyway . Some Hondas require new head bolts, as the originals are "torque-to-yield" style and cannot be reused . Same expense either way for used head or yours . The used Japanese 30,000 mile engines are not a viable option here in the States as they never have the same exhaust port configuration, emission controls are all different and have different wiring and stuff . A bad risk if you have to make it legal . Not saying that the Japanese 30K engines are bad . . . just that they have differences that cause migraines .	SurferJoe46 (51)
467826	2006-07-02 21:39:00	It's not confirmed that there's a water leak into the exhaust - it shouldn't be assumed.	Greg (193)
467827	2006-07-03 00:41:00	It's not confirmed that there's a water leak into the exhaust - it shouldn't be assumed. Let's go back greg....hmmmmm.... "..........But it sounded REALLY strange, oscillating idle speed (not randomly, just very quick pulsing) and blowing a LOT of steam or white smoke out the back...." etc, by george12 ...........and "................The steam out the back suggests the worst option only, to me."......, by godfather Kinda looks slam-dunk if the originator saw steam out the back, which I interpret as the tailpipe.....so I stand by the assumption as stated.	SurferJoe46 (51)
467828	2006-07-03 01:15:00	"or smoke". Besides of course that some steam is a natural by-product of the combustion process.	Greg (193)
467829	2006-07-03 06:50:00	Hmm. Anyone here live in Welly and feel like lending me a compression and/or leakdown tester? Then I can have something more definite to work with. Thanks, George	george12 (7)
467830	2006-07-04 01:16:00	Hi, Interesting development - apparently it has fixed itself. It's now running normally and not using water anymore. Has it perhaps sealed itself up again (the head gasket)??? I'll replace the water pump anyway, as that seems to have been the cause of everything, but I think I might just be very very lucky. Thoughts?	george12 (7)
467831	2006-07-04 01:35:00	Head gaskets don't self repair.... Don't take your eyes off the temp guage. Better still, sell it while it's going...	godfather (25)
467832	2006-07-04 01:47:00	Get it checked................for peace of mind. But! ask for payment options up front before the bill comes in, if it needs fixing..... and if you can drip feed the bill all the better......... i learnt this the hard way and had my vehicle impounded due to not being able to pay the bill the day it was fixed.... 2 weeks without wheels isnt fun i tell you. dont go over board, get the radiator, water pump and head checked....... i was lucky my prob was a blown water pump.........caused al sorts of grief, and i thought i may have cooked the jeep, but its fine, and im more wary of gauges and things now... beetle	beetle (243)
1 2