yet another problem =[ -- head gasket, again?

[StreetNewb]

Alright so I replaced my head gasket a while back yet still noticed a little engine ping at higher RPMs. I didn't think much about it as my mechanic told me it was nothing serious. He also said there was a slight oil leak near the oil pan that he could repair if I ordered the part for it, but said it, also, was no big deal...

So anyways I started noticing my engine was losing coolant, I found that quite weird. Wasn't too worried because I thought it would last me until the end of August (when I can afford the h22a swap). So this morning at 2am heading to Dennys, I noticed my coolant light flashing, yet again... Even though I literally just topped on it before I left. I then felt the power in my car started to realllyyyy bogg, so I pulled over at a gas station as soon as I could and my engine stalled before I could even make it to a parking spot.

So I let my car cool down, topped up on both oil & coolant. Started it, and let it run for about 5 minutes. Seemed alright, so I drove it to the other side of the parking lot... *stall*. So anyways I didn't know what it was, and decided I would just try and head back home. I made it about halfway and noticed going up a small decline that I had no power in 5th, shifted down to 4, rpms still steady dropping... By the time i reached the top my car completely stalled. I noticed looking at the car that there's some type of fluid all over the ground.


So I got the car towed back, and today I've looked at it numerous times. The car starts, engine knock is HARSH and I noticed what looks to be coolant leaking near the head of my engine. Can it really be another blown head gasket? I just had one done 2 months ago on top of having the head resurfaced.

The car has not overheated at all, so I don't have a clue what it could be. My neighbor said it could be something inside the oil pan (some kind of rod)?? I don't know. Just curious, it's not biggy as I'm doing an engine swap next month anyways... Just would rather have my car running for this month.

Just wondering if you guys know what the problem could be, I mean a blown head gasket wouldn't cause such a harsh engine knock would it?


Thanks for any help!!!

[93AccordLXwhite]

I'd start by pulling the plugs and checking their condition/if there is fluid in the cylinders. Easy starting point at least. Good luck!

[WilliamW]

Going up a small decline that I had no power in 5th.

I think this is my new favorite phrase, going up a small decline. lol

Any way. If it's a head gasket you just have to check your coolant system if it holds pressure, your cylinders for compression (compression test or leak down test), and if it is a cylinder head gasket issue take the block and head to a machine shop and have the deck trued if it's out of spec. that will ensure that the sealing surface is at it's best.

[Nyne521]

it may be your piston rings... do you beat on your car? i fried my piston rings and the same thing happened to me the car would start up and run ok till it warmed up fully (drove like 10 feet) as soon as i came to a stop or stoped giving it gas it would stall

Check compression

[StreetNewb]

I think this is my new favorite phrase, going up a small decline. lol

Any way. If it's a head gasket you just have to check your coolant system if it holds pressure, your cylinders for compression (compression test or leak down test), and if it is a cylinder head gasket issue take the block and head to a machine shop and have the deck trued if it's out of spec. that will ensure that the sealing surface is at it's best.

lol sorry I was realllly tired yesterday I'm surprised that post actually made as much sense as it did. Anyways thanks for the tips I'll take out the spark plugs today and hopefully see what's going on there. I've also noticed that even though the rad was full of coolant, the overflow box never had any :/.

I think it is my piston rings but I'll still try to have a look. I'm pretty sure head gasket is blown again though which I don't get how that could have happened, I don't abuse the old Honda that much =/

[Shag Wagon]

Headgaskets just dont blow after 2 months unless it was a REALLY crappy one. I have a friend whos car was doing the exact same thing. He has a cracked block.

[StreetNewb]

yeah that's what I thought lol, I took a closer look and noticed that the piece that connects to the head of the engine and the hose to the radiator was loose (bolts were starting to loosen themselves???) but I think the engines toast because of the knock.. unless I rebuild it. But I'd rather just get an h22a which will probably cost me $3500 but oh well

[wed3k]

wtf, just get a rebuilt bottom end.

[jdmjunky]

Alright so I replaced my head gasket a while back yet still noticed a little engine ping at higher RPMs. I didn't think much about it as my mechanic told me it was nothing serious. He also said there was a slight oil leak near the oil pan that he could repair if I ordered the part for it, but said it, also, was no big deal...

So anyways I started noticing my engine was losing coolant, I found that quite weird. Wasn't too worried because I thought it would last me until the end of August (when I can afford the h22a swap). So this morning at 2am heading to Dennys, I noticed my coolant light flashing, yet again... Even though I literally just topped on it before I left. I then felt the power in my car started to realllyyyy bogg, so I pulled over at a gas station as soon as I could and my engine stalled before I could even make it to a parking spot.

So I let my car cool down, topped up on both oil & coolant. Started it, and let it run for about 5 minutes. Seemed alright, so I drove it to the other side of the parking lot... *stall*. So anyways I didn't know what it was, and decided I would just try and head back home. I made it about halfway and noticed going up a small decline that I had no power in 5th, shifted down to 4, rpms still steady dropping... By the time i reached the top my car completely stalled. I noticed looking at the car that there's some type of fluid all over the ground.


So I got the car towed back, and today I've looked at it numerous times. The car starts, engine knock is HARSH and I noticed what looks to be coolant leaking near the head of my engine. Can it really be another blown head gasket? I just had one done 2 months ago on top of having the head resurfaced.

The car has not overheated at all, so I don't have a clue what it could be. My neighbor said it could be something inside the oil pan (some kind of rod)?? I don't know. Just curious, it's not biggy as I'm doing an engine swap next month anyways... Just would rather have my car running for this month.

Just wondering if you guys know what the problem could be, I mean a blown head gasket wouldn't cause such a harsh engine knock would it?


Thanks for any help!!!

if that knock is that harsh as you say it is, you spun a bearing . same thing happened with my LS.

[StreetNewb]

if that knock is that harsh as you say it is, you spun a bearing . same thing happened with my LS.

Ah, alright well i don't know if I'll ever get to the crank on it since I've already purchased an h22a lol. Thanks for the help tho everybody . Maybe I'll rebuild this in my garage over the winter and get it ready to turbo for spring and put it into another cb7 if I feel like buying another :P.

[ChIoVnIdCa]

I noticed my coolant light flashing, yet again...

What kind of car is this?

[StreetNewb]

Honda Gallardo.

Oil light*