Fabiorossi5@yahoo.ca wrote:
> I have 85,000 miles. 4 cylinder & 5-speed manual. I take good care of
> the car and never had any problems. Did the maint and a few small
> repairs like CV boots, etc. The radiator fan must have failed an it
> overheated rapidly. I shut it down fast.
>
> The car was fine but I had oil in the radiator. I took it in. I had
> the head rebuilt, new head gaskets, new radiator, radiator fan, changed
> the timing belt, hoses and other things. I spent about $2700.
>
> I got the car back and drove it for about two weeks then saw coffee on
> the driveway. I checked the radiator and had coffee again. I took it
> back to the mechanic and now he is pushing a rebuilt motor at cost -
> $900 and $600 in labor. He obviously is feeling a little guilty. The
> car is in good shape. Sadly, we did not go down the replace the engine
> path first. He thinks there might be a crack in the block.

most likely. blown gasket on a honda rarely leads to oil in the water.
either a crack or incorrect assembly.

>
> Any suggestions? I doubt any stop leak stuff will help.

no.

> I can flush
> the radiator but the oil can get back in fast. I am not sure if the
> oil or water is under more pressure.
>
> The oil leak prodicts that swell gaskets will not work. I spoke to CRC
> who make nano technology stop leak products going in via the radiator
> but they said if the oil comes into the cooling too fast - their
> product will not work.
>
> I loved my Honda but I never had a car have a catastrophic failure like
> this.
>
> No dealers have Accord VPNs with 5 speeds and the price went up. I am
> pretty disgusted with Honda.
>

it's unfortunate, but statistically, it's rare. very rare. if you want
to keep the car, don't use a rebuilt motor. they don't last that long
and are too expensive for what you get. it's best to buy a used jdm
import engine from japan. low mileage. guarantee. will work just
fine. have your mechanic replace it and have words with him about all
the money you wasted on uneconomic repairs last time around. motor
price in the $500-$700 range. unless you're doing the repair yourself,
the economics of trying to repair a honda motor just don't work - simply
replace.