I just bought a 2004 honda civic with the 1.7l vtec. I've been having issues lately where coolant keeps coming out the over flow tank from what seems is excessive pressure in the system. Then yesterday the car overheated. Is this a head gasket issue? How do I know for sure
Head gasket issue?
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A good shop can use an exhaust gas analyzer to look for exhaust gas in the coolant.
It could be, it could also be a lot of other things as well.
Are these engines known for HG issues?
Are these engines known for HG issues?
I agree with replacing the As a first step.
Hondas are famous for needing head gaskets.
Sure sounds like one leaking between combustion and coolant. You can get a kit to check for exhaust gasses in the coolant.
Those 1.7 Hondas don't like to be remotely warm. They can't take it like other engines can. I'm going to say that since it overheated once it's done.
Is the coolant bled? Air pockets can cause overflow sometimes.
+1 on the radiator cap.
Pull the spark plugs and look for a shiny 'steam cleaned' pistons
Compression test might show if you're leaking compression into coolant
Any oil in the coolant or vice versa? (look for chocolate milkshake)
One of these is a very useful tool to have around the garage
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Head-Gasket-Combustion-Leak-Test-Kit-/262252890841?hash=item3d0f7d8ad9:g:EWIAAOxyVaBSoxUv&item=262252890841&vxp=mtr
+1 on the radiator cap.
Pull the spark plugs and look for a shiny 'steam cleaned' pistons
Compression test might show if you're leaking compression into coolant
Any oil in the coolant or vice versa? (look for chocolate milkshake)
One of these is a very useful tool to have around the garage
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Head-Gasket-Combustion-Leak-Test-Kit-/262252890841?hash=item3d0f7d8ad9:g:EWIAAOxyVaBSoxUv&item=262252890841&vxp=mtr
Originally Posted By: 02s4audi
I just bought a 2004 honda civic with the 1.7l vtec. I've been having issues lately where coolant keeps coming out the over flow tank from what seems is excessive pressure in the system. Then yesterday the car overheated. Is this a head gasket issue? How do I know for sure
Having dealt with a bad head gasket and replacement on an 01 Civic at ~160k miles, AF bubbling out of the recovery tank is a main telltale sign of bad hg on the Civic. First thing that showed on the 01.
You can try testing with a combustion gas leak detector. But, I'd bet dollars to donuts the head gasket is shot.
I just bought a 2004 honda civic with the 1.7l vtec. I've been having issues lately where coolant keeps coming out the over flow tank from what seems is excessive pressure in the system. Then yesterday the car overheated. Is this a head gasket issue? How do I know for sure
Having dealt with a bad head gasket and replacement on an 01 Civic at ~160k miles, AF bubbling out of the recovery tank is a main telltale sign of bad hg on the Civic. First thing that showed on the 01.
You can try testing with a combustion gas leak detector. But, I'd bet dollars to donuts the head gasket is shot.
Originally Posted By: 02s4audi
I just bought a 2004 honda civic with the 1.7l vtec. I've been having issues lately where coolant keeps coming out the over flow tank from what seems is excessive pressure in the system. Then yesterday the car overheated. Is this a head gasket issue? How do I know for sure
How many miles does your Civic have ?
I just bought a 2004 honda civic with the 1.7l vtec. I've been having issues lately where coolant keeps coming out the over flow tank from what seems is excessive pressure in the system. Then yesterday the car overheated. Is this a head gasket issue? How do I know for sure
How many miles does your Civic have ?
So many responses, so much misinformation...
A head gasket fails when there's oil in the coolant. What you're describing sounds more like coolant that needs to be changed, especially if you've just bought it and has an unknown service history. Coolant that has lost it's juice from time boils out and expands into the tank.
It's always good practice to change out all the fluids when you buy a used car..don't forget the brake fluid, too.
A head gasket fails when there's oil in the coolant. What you're describing sounds more like coolant that needs to be changed, especially if you've just bought it and has an unknown service history. Coolant that has lost it's juice from time boils out and expands into the tank.
It's always good practice to change out all the fluids when you buy a used car..don't forget the brake fluid, too.
There's more than one mode of failure for a head gasket. It seals 3 different systems from each other. Combustion, coolant, and oil. Any could leak to the other depending on the failure. Each would produce different symptoms.
Originally Posted By: Noey
So many responses, so much misinformation...
A head gasket fails when there's oil in the coolant. What you're describing sounds more like coolant that needs to be changed, especially if you've just bought it and has an unknown service history. Coolant that has lost it's juice from time boils out and expands into the tank.
It's always good practice to change out all the fluids when you buy a used car..don't forget the brake fluid, too.
Originally Posted By: Noey
So many responses, so much misinformation...
A head gasket fails when there's oil in the coolant. What you're describing sounds more like coolant that needs to be changed, especially if you've just bought it and has an unknown service history. Coolant that has lost it's juice from time boils out and expands into the tank.
It's always good practice to change out all the fluids when you buy a used car..don't forget the brake fluid, too.
Originally Posted By: Wheel
There's more than one mode of failure for a head gasket. It seals 3 different systems from each other. Combustion, coolant, and oil. Any could leak to the other depending on the failure. Each would produce different symptoms.
True that. And thus the prior recommendation for combustion gas leak tester for the AF.
And I can state for a fact that the AF in said 01 Civic with bad hg, the coolant was regularly maintained and up to date. It's still bubbled out of the recovery tank. No misinformation, a same generation Civic anecdotal experience with a bad head gasket.
There's more than one mode of failure for a head gasket. It seals 3 different systems from each other. Combustion, coolant, and oil. Any could leak to the other depending on the failure. Each would produce different symptoms.
True that. And thus the prior recommendation for combustion gas leak tester for the AF.
And I can state for a fact that the AF in said 01 Civic with bad hg, the coolant was regularly maintained and up to date. It's still bubbled out of the recovery tank. No misinformation, a same generation Civic anecdotal experience with a bad head gasket.
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