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Opinion please; Blown Head Gasket?
Car info:
92 Honda Civic DX 340k(engine rebuilt at 300k) About a week ago my engine troubles started. Was driving home when the engine temperature shot up, checked the coolant and there was none there. Refilled it, took it to a mechanic friend, he said the Thermostat wasn't working, which was resulting in the coolant being boiled off. Seemed reasonable, changed that, coolant hasn't been dissappearing much or at all since then. (timing belt is going, can't drive it around much to check) WAS going to get the belt changed, but the mechanic at the place I took it to was pretty convinced I had a blown head gasket or cracked head. All he did was take off the valve cover, didn't do any compression tests etc. There seems to be no coolant in the oil pan, and no oil in the coolant. But the inside of the valve cover is covered in this brown sludge. I'm not sure what to do. Is it definitally a blown head gasket/cracked head? Could that brown sludge have formed inside the valve cover any other way? Not really willing to dish out the 1500 to repair the head gasket right now, or the 3000 to repair the head. Want to be sure of where I go from here and would appreciate any opinons. The car is a really nice ride and I'll be sorry to see it go. Here are a couple pictures of the valve cover and lifters etc http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/2.jpg http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/1.jpg |
Re: Opinion please; Blown Head Gasket?
"Greyjaei" <greyjaei@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1158893919.785977.61770@i42g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com... > Car info: > 92 Honda Civic DX > 340k(engine rebuilt at 300k) > > About a week ago my engine troubles started. > Was driving home when the engine temperature shot up, checked the > coolant and there was none there. > Refilled it, took it to a mechanic friend, he said the Thermostat > wasn't working, which was resulting in the coolant being boiled off. > Seemed reasonable, changed that, coolant hasn't been dissappearing much > or at all since then. (timing belt is going, can't drive it around much > to check) > WAS going to get the belt changed, but the mechanic at the place I took > it to was pretty convinced I had a blown head gasket or cracked head. > All he did was take off the valve cover, didn't do any compression > tests etc. > > There seems to be no coolant in the oil pan, and no oil in the coolant. > But the inside of the valve cover is covered in this brown sludge. > > I'm not sure what to do. > Is it definitally a blown head gasket/cracked head? > Could that brown sludge have formed inside the valve cover any other > way? > > Not really willing to dish out the 1500 to repair the head gasket right > now, or the 3000 to repair the head. Want to be sure of where I go from > here and would appreciate any opinons. The car is a really nice ride > and I'll be sorry to see it go. > > Here are a couple pictures of the valve cover and lifters etc > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/2.jpg > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/1.jpg > See my response to Hendersauce's post, "Need some DIY input to replace a headgasket on my 93' Civic DX" earlier today. The sludge is mostly the result of too much time between oil changes - see http://tegger.com/hondafaq/sludge/index.html I'm not sure I understand why the mechanic removed the valve cover if he suspected a head gasket or head problem. Mike |
Re: Opinion please; Blown Head Gasket?
"Greyjaei" <greyjaei@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1158893919.785977.61770@i42g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com... > Car info: > 92 Honda Civic DX > 340k(engine rebuilt at 300k) > > About a week ago my engine troubles started. > Was driving home when the engine temperature shot up, checked the > coolant and there was none there. > Refilled it, took it to a mechanic friend, he said the Thermostat > wasn't working, which was resulting in the coolant being boiled off. > Seemed reasonable, changed that, coolant hasn't been dissappearing much > or at all since then. (timing belt is going, can't drive it around much > to check) > WAS going to get the belt changed, but the mechanic at the place I took > it to was pretty convinced I had a blown head gasket or cracked head. > All he did was take off the valve cover, didn't do any compression > tests etc. > > There seems to be no coolant in the oil pan, and no oil in the coolant. > But the inside of the valve cover is covered in this brown sludge. > > I'm not sure what to do. > Is it definitally a blown head gasket/cracked head? > Could that brown sludge have formed inside the valve cover any other > way? > > Not really willing to dish out the 1500 to repair the head gasket right > now, or the 3000 to repair the head. Want to be sure of where I go from > here and would appreciate any opinons. The car is a really nice ride > and I'll be sorry to see it go. > > Here are a couple pictures of the valve cover and lifters etc > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/2.jpg > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/1.jpg > See my response to Hendersauce's post, "Need some DIY input to replace a headgasket on my 93' Civic DX" earlier today. The sludge is mostly the result of too much time between oil changes - see http://tegger.com/hondafaq/sludge/index.html I'm not sure I understand why the mechanic removed the valve cover if he suspected a head gasket or head problem. Mike |
Re: Opinion please; Blown Head Gasket?
"Greyjaei" <greyjaei@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1158893919.785977.61770@i42g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com... > Car info: > 92 Honda Civic DX > 340k(engine rebuilt at 300k) > > About a week ago my engine troubles started. > Was driving home when the engine temperature shot up, checked the > coolant and there was none there. > Refilled it, took it to a mechanic friend, he said the Thermostat > wasn't working, which was resulting in the coolant being boiled off. > Seemed reasonable, changed that, coolant hasn't been dissappearing much > or at all since then. (timing belt is going, can't drive it around much > to check) > WAS going to get the belt changed, but the mechanic at the place I took > it to was pretty convinced I had a blown head gasket or cracked head. > All he did was take off the valve cover, didn't do any compression > tests etc. > > There seems to be no coolant in the oil pan, and no oil in the coolant. > But the inside of the valve cover is covered in this brown sludge. > > I'm not sure what to do. > Is it definitally a blown head gasket/cracked head? > Could that brown sludge have formed inside the valve cover any other > way? > > Not really willing to dish out the 1500 to repair the head gasket right > now, or the 3000 to repair the head. Want to be sure of where I go from > here and would appreciate any opinons. The car is a really nice ride > and I'll be sorry to see it go. > > Here are a couple pictures of the valve cover and lifters etc > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/2.jpg > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/1.jpg > See my response to Hendersauce's post, "Need some DIY input to replace a headgasket on my 93' Civic DX" earlier today. The sludge is mostly the result of too much time between oil changes - see http://tegger.com/hondafaq/sludge/index.html I'm not sure I understand why the mechanic removed the valve cover if he suspected a head gasket or head problem. Mike |
Re: Opinion please; Blown Head Gasket?
Michael Pardee wrote: > "Greyjaei" <greyjaei@gmail.com> wrote in message > news:1158893919.785977.61770@i42g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com... > > Car info: > > 92 Honda Civic DX > > 340k(engine rebuilt at 300k) > > > > About a week ago my engine troubles started. > > Was driving home when the engine temperature shot up, checked the > > coolant and there was none there. > > Refilled it, took it to a mechanic friend, he said the Thermostat > > wasn't working, which was resulting in the coolant being boiled off. > > Seemed reasonable, changed that, coolant hasn't been dissappearing much > > or at all since then. (timing belt is going, can't drive it around much > > to check) > > WAS going to get the belt changed, but the mechanic at the place I took > > it to was pretty convinced I had a blown head gasket or cracked head. > > All he did was take off the valve cover, didn't do any compression > > tests etc. > > > > There seems to be no coolant in the oil pan, and no oil in the coolant. > > But the inside of the valve cover is covered in this brown sludge. > > > > I'm not sure what to do. > > Is it definitally a blown head gasket/cracked head? > > Could that brown sludge have formed inside the valve cover any other > > way? > > > > Not really willing to dish out the 1500 to repair the head gasket right > > now, or the 3000 to repair the head. Want to be sure of where I go from > > here and would appreciate any opinons. The car is a really nice ride > > and I'll be sorry to see it go. > > > > Here are a couple pictures of the valve cover and lifters etc > > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/2.jpg > > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/1.jpg > > > > See my response to Hendersauce's post, "Need some DIY input to replace a > headgasket on my 93' Civic DX" earlier today. > > The sludge is mostly the result of too much time between oil changes - see > http://tegger.com/hondafaq/sludge/index.html > > I'm not sure I understand why the mechanic removed the valve cover if he > suspected a head gasket or head problem. > > Mike Sorry, the Mechanic was removing the valve cover while going to change the timing belt, but he stopped because of the sludge, he was pretty sure it was coolant mixed with oil. Is there anyway for coolant to get into the valves without it being a blown head gasket or cracked head? |
Re: Opinion please; Blown Head Gasket?
Michael Pardee wrote: > "Greyjaei" <greyjaei@gmail.com> wrote in message > news:1158893919.785977.61770@i42g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com... > > Car info: > > 92 Honda Civic DX > > 340k(engine rebuilt at 300k) > > > > About a week ago my engine troubles started. > > Was driving home when the engine temperature shot up, checked the > > coolant and there was none there. > > Refilled it, took it to a mechanic friend, he said the Thermostat > > wasn't working, which was resulting in the coolant being boiled off. > > Seemed reasonable, changed that, coolant hasn't been dissappearing much > > or at all since then. (timing belt is going, can't drive it around much > > to check) > > WAS going to get the belt changed, but the mechanic at the place I took > > it to was pretty convinced I had a blown head gasket or cracked head. > > All he did was take off the valve cover, didn't do any compression > > tests etc. > > > > There seems to be no coolant in the oil pan, and no oil in the coolant. > > But the inside of the valve cover is covered in this brown sludge. > > > > I'm not sure what to do. > > Is it definitally a blown head gasket/cracked head? > > Could that brown sludge have formed inside the valve cover any other > > way? > > > > Not really willing to dish out the 1500 to repair the head gasket right > > now, or the 3000 to repair the head. Want to be sure of where I go from > > here and would appreciate any opinons. The car is a really nice ride > > and I'll be sorry to see it go. > > > > Here are a couple pictures of the valve cover and lifters etc > > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/2.jpg > > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/1.jpg > > > > See my response to Hendersauce's post, "Need some DIY input to replace a > headgasket on my 93' Civic DX" earlier today. > > The sludge is mostly the result of too much time between oil changes - see > http://tegger.com/hondafaq/sludge/index.html > > I'm not sure I understand why the mechanic removed the valve cover if he > suspected a head gasket or head problem. > > Mike Sorry, the Mechanic was removing the valve cover while going to change the timing belt, but he stopped because of the sludge, he was pretty sure it was coolant mixed with oil. Is there anyway for coolant to get into the valves without it being a blown head gasket or cracked head? |
Re: Opinion please; Blown Head Gasket?
Michael Pardee wrote: > "Greyjaei" <greyjaei@gmail.com> wrote in message > news:1158893919.785977.61770@i42g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com... > > Car info: > > 92 Honda Civic DX > > 340k(engine rebuilt at 300k) > > > > About a week ago my engine troubles started. > > Was driving home when the engine temperature shot up, checked the > > coolant and there was none there. > > Refilled it, took it to a mechanic friend, he said the Thermostat > > wasn't working, which was resulting in the coolant being boiled off. > > Seemed reasonable, changed that, coolant hasn't been dissappearing much > > or at all since then. (timing belt is going, can't drive it around much > > to check) > > WAS going to get the belt changed, but the mechanic at the place I took > > it to was pretty convinced I had a blown head gasket or cracked head. > > All he did was take off the valve cover, didn't do any compression > > tests etc. > > > > There seems to be no coolant in the oil pan, and no oil in the coolant. > > But the inside of the valve cover is covered in this brown sludge. > > > > I'm not sure what to do. > > Is it definitally a blown head gasket/cracked head? > > Could that brown sludge have formed inside the valve cover any other > > way? > > > > Not really willing to dish out the 1500 to repair the head gasket right > > now, or the 3000 to repair the head. Want to be sure of where I go from > > here and would appreciate any opinons. The car is a really nice ride > > and I'll be sorry to see it go. > > > > Here are a couple pictures of the valve cover and lifters etc > > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/2.jpg > > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/1.jpg > > > > See my response to Hendersauce's post, "Need some DIY input to replace a > headgasket on my 93' Civic DX" earlier today. > > The sludge is mostly the result of too much time between oil changes - see > http://tegger.com/hondafaq/sludge/index.html > > I'm not sure I understand why the mechanic removed the valve cover if he > suspected a head gasket or head problem. > > Mike Sorry, the Mechanic was removing the valve cover while going to change the timing belt, but he stopped because of the sludge, he was pretty sure it was coolant mixed with oil. Is there anyway for coolant to get into the valves without it being a blown head gasket or cracked head? |
Re: Opinion please; Blown Head Gasket?
I had the privilege of recently seeing the old oil from a
car with a blown head gasket. It looked exactly like what filled up the valve cover in photo 1 that you linked. It's the consistency/thickness of a milk shake, and brownish-green, as described at many web sites. Sludge that forms due to a lack of regular oil changes seems to me to be more black in color; more tar-like. (OTOH, I recognize Michael as an expert here... ) From reading here, and working with a friend's car this past summer, the oil-in-the-coolant and coolant-in-the-oil indications do not seem to always appear. My friend's Civic was experiencing regular overheaing. Ultimately she had to have the coolant tested for exhaust products at the local dealer. That nailed it. Her 99 Civic, about 115k miles, needed a new head gasket. Years before she had had one overheat episode. But it might have just been the very hot summer this year that put too much strain on the gasket. If the car is not overheating, then from what you say, I guess I'd change the oil and monitor for a few weeks. Or consider having the coolant chemistry tested for something like $50. With the recent overheat episode, I would not be optimistic. "Greyjaei" <greyjaei@gmail.com> wrote > Car info: > 92 Honda Civic DX > 340k(engine rebuilt at 300k) > > About a week ago my engine troubles started. > Was driving home when the engine temperature shot up, > checked the > coolant and there was none there. > Refilled it, took it to a mechanic friend, he said the > Thermostat > wasn't working, which was resulting in the coolant being > boiled off. > Seemed reasonable, changed that, coolant hasn't been > dissappearing much > or at all since then. (timing belt is going, can't drive > it around much > to check) > WAS going to get the belt changed, but the mechanic at the > place I took > it to was pretty convinced I had a blown head gasket or > cracked head. > All he did was take off the valve cover, didn't do any > compression > tests etc. > > There seems to be no coolant in the oil pan, and no oil in > the coolant. > But the inside of the valve cover is covered in this brown > sludge. > > I'm not sure what to do. > Is it definitally a blown head gasket/cracked head? > Could that brown sludge have formed inside the valve cover > any other > way? > > Not really willing to dish out the 1500 to repair the head > gasket right > now, or the 3000 to repair the head. Want to be sure of > where I go from > here and would appreciate any opinons. The car is a really > nice ride > and I'll be sorry to see it go. > > Here are a couple pictures of the valve cover and lifters > etc > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/2.jpg > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/1.jpg |
Re: Opinion please; Blown Head Gasket?
I had the privilege of recently seeing the old oil from a
car with a blown head gasket. It looked exactly like what filled up the valve cover in photo 1 that you linked. It's the consistency/thickness of a milk shake, and brownish-green, as described at many web sites. Sludge that forms due to a lack of regular oil changes seems to me to be more black in color; more tar-like. (OTOH, I recognize Michael as an expert here... ) From reading here, and working with a friend's car this past summer, the oil-in-the-coolant and coolant-in-the-oil indications do not seem to always appear. My friend's Civic was experiencing regular overheaing. Ultimately she had to have the coolant tested for exhaust products at the local dealer. That nailed it. Her 99 Civic, about 115k miles, needed a new head gasket. Years before she had had one overheat episode. But it might have just been the very hot summer this year that put too much strain on the gasket. If the car is not overheating, then from what you say, I guess I'd change the oil and monitor for a few weeks. Or consider having the coolant chemistry tested for something like $50. With the recent overheat episode, I would not be optimistic. "Greyjaei" <greyjaei@gmail.com> wrote > Car info: > 92 Honda Civic DX > 340k(engine rebuilt at 300k) > > About a week ago my engine troubles started. > Was driving home when the engine temperature shot up, > checked the > coolant and there was none there. > Refilled it, took it to a mechanic friend, he said the > Thermostat > wasn't working, which was resulting in the coolant being > boiled off. > Seemed reasonable, changed that, coolant hasn't been > dissappearing much > or at all since then. (timing belt is going, can't drive > it around much > to check) > WAS going to get the belt changed, but the mechanic at the > place I took > it to was pretty convinced I had a blown head gasket or > cracked head. > All he did was take off the valve cover, didn't do any > compression > tests etc. > > There seems to be no coolant in the oil pan, and no oil in > the coolant. > But the inside of the valve cover is covered in this brown > sludge. > > I'm not sure what to do. > Is it definitally a blown head gasket/cracked head? > Could that brown sludge have formed inside the valve cover > any other > way? > > Not really willing to dish out the 1500 to repair the head > gasket right > now, or the 3000 to repair the head. Want to be sure of > where I go from > here and would appreciate any opinons. The car is a really > nice ride > and I'll be sorry to see it go. > > Here are a couple pictures of the valve cover and lifters > etc > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/2.jpg > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/1.jpg |
Re: Opinion please; Blown Head Gasket?
I had the privilege of recently seeing the old oil from a
car with a blown head gasket. It looked exactly like what filled up the valve cover in photo 1 that you linked. It's the consistency/thickness of a milk shake, and brownish-green, as described at many web sites. Sludge that forms due to a lack of regular oil changes seems to me to be more black in color; more tar-like. (OTOH, I recognize Michael as an expert here... ) From reading here, and working with a friend's car this past summer, the oil-in-the-coolant and coolant-in-the-oil indications do not seem to always appear. My friend's Civic was experiencing regular overheaing. Ultimately she had to have the coolant tested for exhaust products at the local dealer. That nailed it. Her 99 Civic, about 115k miles, needed a new head gasket. Years before she had had one overheat episode. But it might have just been the very hot summer this year that put too much strain on the gasket. If the car is not overheating, then from what you say, I guess I'd change the oil and monitor for a few weeks. Or consider having the coolant chemistry tested for something like $50. With the recent overheat episode, I would not be optimistic. "Greyjaei" <greyjaei@gmail.com> wrote > Car info: > 92 Honda Civic DX > 340k(engine rebuilt at 300k) > > About a week ago my engine troubles started. > Was driving home when the engine temperature shot up, > checked the > coolant and there was none there. > Refilled it, took it to a mechanic friend, he said the > Thermostat > wasn't working, which was resulting in the coolant being > boiled off. > Seemed reasonable, changed that, coolant hasn't been > dissappearing much > or at all since then. (timing belt is going, can't drive > it around much > to check) > WAS going to get the belt changed, but the mechanic at the > place I took > it to was pretty convinced I had a blown head gasket or > cracked head. > All he did was take off the valve cover, didn't do any > compression > tests etc. > > There seems to be no coolant in the oil pan, and no oil in > the coolant. > But the inside of the valve cover is covered in this brown > sludge. > > I'm not sure what to do. > Is it definitally a blown head gasket/cracked head? > Could that brown sludge have formed inside the valve cover > any other > way? > > Not really willing to dish out the 1500 to repair the head > gasket right > now, or the 3000 to repair the head. Want to be sure of > where I go from > here and would appreciate any opinons. The car is a really > nice ride > and I'll be sorry to see it go. > > Here are a couple pictures of the valve cover and lifters > etc > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/2.jpg > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/1.jpg |
Re: Opinion please; Blown Head Gasket?
Thanks, I like that idea, Coolant testing, I live in kind of a
back-water place though, wonder if we'll have it Elle wrote: > I had the privilege of recently seeing the old oil from a > car with a blown head gasket. It looked exactly like what > filled up the valve cover in photo 1 that you linked. It's > the consistency/thickness of a milk shake, and > brownish-green, as described at many web sites. > > Sludge that forms due to a lack of regular oil changes seems > to me to be more black in color; more tar-like. (OTOH, I > recognize Michael as an expert here... ) > > From reading here, and working with a friend's car this past > summer, the oil-in-the-coolant and coolant-in-the-oil > indications do not seem to always appear. My friend's Civic > was experiencing regular overheaing. Ultimately she had to > have the coolant tested for exhaust products at the local > dealer. That nailed it. Her 99 Civic, about 115k miles, > needed a new head gasket. Years before she had had one > overheat episode. But it might have just been the very hot > summer this year that put too much strain on the gasket. > > If the car is not overheating, then from what you say, I > guess I'd change the oil and monitor for a few weeks. Or > consider having the coolant chemistry tested for something > like $50. > > With the recent overheat episode, I would not be optimistic. > > "Greyjaei" <greyjaei@gmail.com> wrote > > Car info: > > 92 Honda Civic DX > > 340k(engine rebuilt at 300k) > > > > About a week ago my engine troubles started. > > Was driving home when the engine temperature shot up, > > checked the > > coolant and there was none there. > > Refilled it, took it to a mechanic friend, he said the > > Thermostat > > wasn't working, which was resulting in the coolant being > > boiled off. > > Seemed reasonable, changed that, coolant hasn't been > > dissappearing much > > or at all since then. (timing belt is going, can't drive > > it around much > > to check) > > WAS going to get the belt changed, but the mechanic at the > > place I took > > it to was pretty convinced I had a blown head gasket or > > cracked head. > > All he did was take off the valve cover, didn't do any > > compression > > tests etc. > > > > There seems to be no coolant in the oil pan, and no oil in > > the coolant. > > But the inside of the valve cover is covered in this brown > > sludge. > > > > I'm not sure what to do. > > Is it definitally a blown head gasket/cracked head? > > Could that brown sludge have formed inside the valve cover > > any other > > way? > > > > Not really willing to dish out the 1500 to repair the head > > gasket right > > now, or the 3000 to repair the head. Want to be sure of > > where I go from > > here and would appreciate any opinons. The car is a really > > nice ride > > and I'll be sorry to see it go. > > > > Here are a couple pictures of the valve cover and lifters > > etc > > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/2.jpg > > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/1.jpg |
Re: Opinion please; Blown Head Gasket?
Thanks, I like that idea, Coolant testing, I live in kind of a
back-water place though, wonder if we'll have it Elle wrote: > I had the privilege of recently seeing the old oil from a > car with a blown head gasket. It looked exactly like what > filled up the valve cover in photo 1 that you linked. It's > the consistency/thickness of a milk shake, and > brownish-green, as described at many web sites. > > Sludge that forms due to a lack of regular oil changes seems > to me to be more black in color; more tar-like. (OTOH, I > recognize Michael as an expert here... ) > > From reading here, and working with a friend's car this past > summer, the oil-in-the-coolant and coolant-in-the-oil > indications do not seem to always appear. My friend's Civic > was experiencing regular overheaing. Ultimately she had to > have the coolant tested for exhaust products at the local > dealer. That nailed it. Her 99 Civic, about 115k miles, > needed a new head gasket. Years before she had had one > overheat episode. But it might have just been the very hot > summer this year that put too much strain on the gasket. > > If the car is not overheating, then from what you say, I > guess I'd change the oil and monitor for a few weeks. Or > consider having the coolant chemistry tested for something > like $50. > > With the recent overheat episode, I would not be optimistic. > > "Greyjaei" <greyjaei@gmail.com> wrote > > Car info: > > 92 Honda Civic DX > > 340k(engine rebuilt at 300k) > > > > About a week ago my engine troubles started. > > Was driving home when the engine temperature shot up, > > checked the > > coolant and there was none there. > > Refilled it, took it to a mechanic friend, he said the > > Thermostat > > wasn't working, which was resulting in the coolant being > > boiled off. > > Seemed reasonable, changed that, coolant hasn't been > > dissappearing much > > or at all since then. (timing belt is going, can't drive > > it around much > > to check) > > WAS going to get the belt changed, but the mechanic at the > > place I took > > it to was pretty convinced I had a blown head gasket or > > cracked head. > > All he did was take off the valve cover, didn't do any > > compression > > tests etc. > > > > There seems to be no coolant in the oil pan, and no oil in > > the coolant. > > But the inside of the valve cover is covered in this brown > > sludge. > > > > I'm not sure what to do. > > Is it definitally a blown head gasket/cracked head? > > Could that brown sludge have formed inside the valve cover > > any other > > way? > > > > Not really willing to dish out the 1500 to repair the head > > gasket right > > now, or the 3000 to repair the head. Want to be sure of > > where I go from > > here and would appreciate any opinons. The car is a really > > nice ride > > and I'll be sorry to see it go. > > > > Here are a couple pictures of the valve cover and lifters > > etc > > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/2.jpg > > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/1.jpg |
Re: Opinion please; Blown Head Gasket?
Thanks, I like that idea, Coolant testing, I live in kind of a
back-water place though, wonder if we'll have it Elle wrote: > I had the privilege of recently seeing the old oil from a > car with a blown head gasket. It looked exactly like what > filled up the valve cover in photo 1 that you linked. It's > the consistency/thickness of a milk shake, and > brownish-green, as described at many web sites. > > Sludge that forms due to a lack of regular oil changes seems > to me to be more black in color; more tar-like. (OTOH, I > recognize Michael as an expert here... ) > > From reading here, and working with a friend's car this past > summer, the oil-in-the-coolant and coolant-in-the-oil > indications do not seem to always appear. My friend's Civic > was experiencing regular overheaing. Ultimately she had to > have the coolant tested for exhaust products at the local > dealer. That nailed it. Her 99 Civic, about 115k miles, > needed a new head gasket. Years before she had had one > overheat episode. But it might have just been the very hot > summer this year that put too much strain on the gasket. > > If the car is not overheating, then from what you say, I > guess I'd change the oil and monitor for a few weeks. Or > consider having the coolant chemistry tested for something > like $50. > > With the recent overheat episode, I would not be optimistic. > > "Greyjaei" <greyjaei@gmail.com> wrote > > Car info: > > 92 Honda Civic DX > > 340k(engine rebuilt at 300k) > > > > About a week ago my engine troubles started. > > Was driving home when the engine temperature shot up, > > checked the > > coolant and there was none there. > > Refilled it, took it to a mechanic friend, he said the > > Thermostat > > wasn't working, which was resulting in the coolant being > > boiled off. > > Seemed reasonable, changed that, coolant hasn't been > > dissappearing much > > or at all since then. (timing belt is going, can't drive > > it around much > > to check) > > WAS going to get the belt changed, but the mechanic at the > > place I took > > it to was pretty convinced I had a blown head gasket or > > cracked head. > > All he did was take off the valve cover, didn't do any > > compression > > tests etc. > > > > There seems to be no coolant in the oil pan, and no oil in > > the coolant. > > But the inside of the valve cover is covered in this brown > > sludge. > > > > I'm not sure what to do. > > Is it definitally a blown head gasket/cracked head? > > Could that brown sludge have formed inside the valve cover > > any other > > way? > > > > Not really willing to dish out the 1500 to repair the head > > gasket right > > now, or the 3000 to repair the head. Want to be sure of > > where I go from > > here and would appreciate any opinons. The car is a really > > nice ride > > and I'll be sorry to see it go. > > > > Here are a couple pictures of the valve cover and lifters > > etc > > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/2.jpg > > http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/1.jpg |
Re: Opinion please; Blown Head Gasket?
Greyjaei wrote:
> Michael Pardee wrote: > >>"Greyjaei" <greyjaei@gmail.com> wrote in message >>news:1158893919.785977.61770@i42g2000cwa.googleg roups.com... >> >>>Car info: >>>92 Honda Civic DX >>>340k(engine rebuilt at 300k) >>> >>>About a week ago my engine troubles started. >>>Was driving home when the engine temperature shot up, checked the >>>coolant and there was none there. >>>Refilled it, took it to a mechanic friend, he said the Thermostat >>>wasn't working, which was resulting in the coolant being boiled off. >>>Seemed reasonable, changed that, coolant hasn't been dissappearing much >>>or at all since then. (timing belt is going, can't drive it around much >>>to check) >>>WAS going to get the belt changed, but the mechanic at the place I took >>>it to was pretty convinced I had a blown head gasket or cracked head. >>>All he did was take off the valve cover, didn't do any compression >>>tests etc. >>> >>>There seems to be no coolant in the oil pan, and no oil in the coolant. >>>But the inside of the valve cover is covered in this brown sludge. >>> >>>I'm not sure what to do. >>>Is it definitally a blown head gasket/cracked head? >>>Could that brown sludge have formed inside the valve cover any other >>>way? >>> >>>Not really willing to dish out the 1500 to repair the head gasket right >>>now, or the 3000 to repair the head. Want to be sure of where I go from >>>here and would appreciate any opinons. The car is a really nice ride >>>and I'll be sorry to see it go. >>> >>>Here are a couple pictures of the valve cover and lifters etc >>>http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/2.jpg >>>http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/1.jpg >>> >> >>See my response to Hendersauce's post, "Need some DIY input to replace a >>headgasket on my 93' Civic DX" earlier today. >> >>The sludge is mostly the result of too much time between oil changes - see >>http://tegger.com/hondafaq/sludge/index.html >> >>I'm not sure I understand why the mechanic removed the valve cover if he >>suspected a head gasket or head problem. >> >>Mike > > > Sorry, the Mechanic was removing the valve cover while going to change > the timing belt, but he stopped because of the sludge, he was pretty > sure it was coolant mixed with oil. > Is there anyway for coolant to get into the valves without it being a > blown head gasket or cracked head? I can't really think of how it would get in there if it WAS a blown head gasket, unless it was just leaking from the water jacket into the crankcase or an oil feed, in which case you'd should signs of it on the dipstick as well. |
Re: Opinion please; Blown Head Gasket?
Greyjaei wrote:
> Michael Pardee wrote: > >>"Greyjaei" <greyjaei@gmail.com> wrote in message >>news:1158893919.785977.61770@i42g2000cwa.googleg roups.com... >> >>>Car info: >>>92 Honda Civic DX >>>340k(engine rebuilt at 300k) >>> >>>About a week ago my engine troubles started. >>>Was driving home when the engine temperature shot up, checked the >>>coolant and there was none there. >>>Refilled it, took it to a mechanic friend, he said the Thermostat >>>wasn't working, which was resulting in the coolant being boiled off. >>>Seemed reasonable, changed that, coolant hasn't been dissappearing much >>>or at all since then. (timing belt is going, can't drive it around much >>>to check) >>>WAS going to get the belt changed, but the mechanic at the place I took >>>it to was pretty convinced I had a blown head gasket or cracked head. >>>All he did was take off the valve cover, didn't do any compression >>>tests etc. >>> >>>There seems to be no coolant in the oil pan, and no oil in the coolant. >>>But the inside of the valve cover is covered in this brown sludge. >>> >>>I'm not sure what to do. >>>Is it definitally a blown head gasket/cracked head? >>>Could that brown sludge have formed inside the valve cover any other >>>way? >>> >>>Not really willing to dish out the 1500 to repair the head gasket right >>>now, or the 3000 to repair the head. Want to be sure of where I go from >>>here and would appreciate any opinons. The car is a really nice ride >>>and I'll be sorry to see it go. >>> >>>Here are a couple pictures of the valve cover and lifters etc >>>http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/2.jpg >>>http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e15/Greyjaei/1.jpg >>> >> >>See my response to Hendersauce's post, "Need some DIY input to replace a >>headgasket on my 93' Civic DX" earlier today. >> >>The sludge is mostly the result of too much time between oil changes - see >>http://tegger.com/hondafaq/sludge/index.html >> >>I'm not sure I understand why the mechanic removed the valve cover if he >>suspected a head gasket or head problem. >> >>Mike > > > Sorry, the Mechanic was removing the valve cover while going to change > the timing belt, but he stopped because of the sludge, he was pretty > sure it was coolant mixed with oil. > Is there anyway for coolant to get into the valves without it being a > blown head gasket or cracked head? I can't really think of how it would get in there if it WAS a blown head gasket, unless it was just leaking from the water jacket into the crankcase or an oil feed, in which case you'd should signs of it on the dipstick as well. |
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