Hi, all

I had my Honda Civic 96 overheated a little and I got coolant leaking from the driver's side from under the cylinder head.

I wanted to do a head gasket replacement and head resurfacing, but some people do not recommend doing that because, as they say, there is a chance that block and cylinders will not hold pressure and engine will burn a lot of oil. They just recommend an engine swap to avoid all potential problems.

Last time I checked compression like 3 weeks before it overheated and it was normal: 145 - 165 psi. Car has 127,000 miles.

Please help with a good advice.

Thanks

I recommend you take it in to your local Honda dealer and let them assess the situation. If you have taken good care of the car, I see no reason why Honda shouldn't be able to fix it for you. They repair blown head gaskets all the time.

How bad did it overheat and for how long did you run it hot? These questions weigh pretty heavy on the answer and the Honda dealer will ask the same questions. Are you seeing any oil in the coolant or vice-versa? You say it "overheated a little" and if that's the case and all you have is coolant leaking from the side of the head, a head resurface and new gasket will most likely fix the issue. Still, it might not be a bad idea to follow txgreasemonkey's advice and have the dealer or other Honda tech take a look. As an aside, a Honda dealer will cost more.

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Originally Posted by Joetro

How bad did it overheat and for how long did you run it hot? These questions weigh pretty heavy on the answer and the Honda dealer will ask the same quetions. Are you seeing any oil in the coolant or vice-versa? You say it "overheated a little" and if that's the case and all you have is coolant leaking from the side of the head, a head resurface and new gasket will most likely fix the issue. Still, it might not be a bad idea to follow txgreasemonkey's advice and have the dealer or other Honda tech take a look. As an aside, a Honda dealer will cost more.

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I drove like 4 miles or so with gauge going up to the red line and down. Last half mile it just stopped just below the red line. I see some oil in reservoir, but oil does not seem milky like there is coolant in it.

Thanks, guys!

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Originally Posted by GLEBUS75

Hi, all

i had my Honda Civic 96 overheated a little and i got coolant leaking from the driver's side from under the cylinder head.

I wanted to do a head gasket replacement and head resurfacing, but some people do not recommend doing that because, as they say, there is a chance that block and cylinders will not hold pressure and engine will burn a lot of oil. They just recommend an engine swap to avoid all potential problems.

Last time i checked compression like 3 weeks before it overheated and it was normal: 145 - 165 psi. Car has 127,000 miles.

please help with a good advice.

thanks

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I would just rep;ace the head gasket if this was my vechile as long as there it no cracks in the head cause it cost roughly 300 dollars to machine a head I would just torgue down an extra foot pounds when reinstalling it and to replace the water pump and timing belt since you done all that work

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Originally Posted by korn6958

i would just rep;ace the head gasket if this was my vechile as long as there it no cracks in the head cause it cost roughly 300 dollars to machine a head i would just torgue down an extra foot pounds when reinstalling it and to repalce the water pump and timing belt since you done all that work

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The problem faced with just replacing the gasket is another blown gasket due to warpage of the head. The head is aluminum and has a tendency to warp when overheated. Pull the head, take it in and have it checked and make the decision from there. If the surface is okay and there is no warpage present, then a gasket replacement may be all that's needed, but you won't know until you get the head checked. If the car is in decent shape (and with only 127,000 miles on it it should be), then it would be a good idea economically to try and fix it, but do it right or you open yourself up to more problems.

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Originally Posted by Joetro

The problem faced with just replacing the gasket is another blown gasket due to warpage of the head. The head is aluminum and has a tendancy to warp when overheated. Pull the head, take it in and have it checked and make the decision from there. If the surface is okay and there is no warpage present, then a gasket replacement may be all that's needed, but you won't know until you get the head checked. If the car is in decent shape (and with only 127,000 miles on it it should be), then it would be a good idea economically to try and fix it, but do it right or you open yourself up to more problems.

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I must not understand this websit I thought I was answering these questions I turn wrenches for a living and I guesss I keep asking questions instead of answering them

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Originally Posted by korn6958

i must not understand this websit i thought i was answering these questions i turn wrenches for a living and i guesss i keep asking questions instead of answering them

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I just added to your answer. Adding extra ft/lbs of torque to the headbolts are not necessarily the answer. If the head is warped enough, even that won't fix it. I'm just trying to give the guy some good advice so he doesn't end up doing more work and spending more money. Not to be difficult, but there are others here that may have dabbled in turning wrenches, as well.

If you already have the head off then it only makes sense to get it checked, a few dollars to check it or even just resurface it could prevent a lot off cost in the future.