On Jul 1, 8:05*pm, BT <bhthyagara...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Jul 1, 2:10*pm, BT <bhthyagara...@gmail.com> wrote:
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> > 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- Hide quoted text -
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> - Show quoted text -

for that kinda bucks i'd go with a low mileage junkyard engine.
swapping an engine is a no-brains affair, compared to the things that
could go wrong with the head gasket fix, sometimes not until quite a
while later when you can't collect on the warranty. even a warped head
will seal with a new gasket, for a while......