On Jul 1, 2:10*pm, BT <bhthyagara...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Car: 1999 Honda Civic CX (Hatchback)
> Miles: 242,000
> Location: Southern California
>
> Symptoms: Sweet smell when I started the car Monday morning. Thought
> my daughter had dropped some candy or something and ignored it.
> Tuesday afternoon, while driving up a hill at ~50mph, I noticed the
> engine temp gauge needle rising pretty quickly. It got about 3/4 of
> the way to the top while I was looking. I was in the process of
> slowing down to make a left turn, so took my foot off the gas and the
> needle went down as well. Made it back home driving very slowly, and
> the needle never went above the halfway point (but it was still above
> where it normally rests). When I got home, checked the oil level
> (fine), coolant (near max) and if the rad fan was obstructed in some
> way (it was fine). Drove normally to the dealership after about 2
> hours, and the temp gauge needle was at it's usual spot just about the
> 3/8 mark.
>
> Dealer diagnosis: Don't know why it over-heated, but the head gasket
> is blown. They plan to replace the head gasket, get the head checked
> and machined and put it all back together again.
>
> Questions: *What are the likely reasons for having a blown head
> gasket? Is it just age as the service person suggested? If they don't
> fix the underlying reason, how likely is it to happen again? And how
> long for it to happen?
>
> Is it worth looking at putting in a replacement engine? I don't
> particularly care for speed/hp as long as it's smog-legal in
> California. But it would be nice to have something better than the
> stock CX engine Are there any recommendations for mechanics in the
> San Diego area who could do something like this? If I decide not to
> take up the dealer's offer, will it be safe to drive the car to a new
> mechanic?
>
> Thanks very much for the help.
> BT

Update: Honda Temecula wants $1700 to fix the head gasket. Is that
reasonable?? A replacement engine is looking more attractive now...
BT