Honda Car Forum

Hi all, I just bought a 2001 Honda Civic EX AT 1.7 120K for my 16 year old. I think the people I bought it from scamed me. They had "all the records" including a replaced headgasket and timing belt/waterpump at 101K. I've had the car for about a month and a half and the car runs great. No leaks from oil radiator ect. basicly a clean car. The other day my wife and I are comming home from a 40 mile drive and we get stuck in traffic. About 8 minutes of waiting to move the temp gauge goes to the dreaded red zone thankfully traffic started to move and we only had 3 miles to go no problem getting home. Later we take the car to my mechanic for a diagnostic. He calls to tell me I probobly need a new motor!! And i'm like your kidding me right?? He said that since the headgasket was replace not long ago its more than likely a bad head or a cracked block. He said the coolant is going out the exhaust. The reason I think we may have been had is there is a blackish sort of residue around the top of the overflow resivoir and the heater won't blow warm air even after engine is fully warmed up have to drive it for 7-8 miles before warm air comes out. If it is a blown head or cracked block I probably wouldn't go for a new motor. Has anyone had any luck with this type of product long term???

Ya'll just jump out there!!

Ya'll just jump out there!!

Thanks for the help

Stuff like that does not generally hold up long term. It will get you back home in a pinch, or allow one to sell a clunker if one has no scruples. Now you have experienced the downside, and the need to have an experienced mechanic check out a used car for sale.