Blown Headgasket?

[ZCpowerdSI]

Hey. I was just wondering can you have a leaking headgasket and still have good power and run good?

 

[D16SiHatch]

sometimes yes. it just depends on where the leak is, and how severely it's blown.

if you are wondering about a possible blown hg you should do a pressure test and see if you get bubbles through the coolant system. if you dont see anything visible in the radiator or on the underside of the rad. cap then you can also have your coolant tested for the presence of hydrocarbons. keep an eye on the temp gauge. if it starts to overheat and/or you lose heat in the car then it's very likely a blown head gasket.

 

[ZCpowerdSI]

Ok. this is whats going on. i noticed where the head sits on the block where the gasket is, standing infront of the car on the left of the header (the corner of the head) its a bit wet. but i also have a coolent leak in the back of the engine. havnt had time to check it out. it did start over heating a bit yesterday. I took off the rad cap and the coolent was a little low, lucklyi carry a jug of coolent in my hatch. so i toped it up while it was off, started it then it was fine. since then the temp gauge has been at normal temp. I heard when you have a blown headgasket you lose heat to your car. my car is kinda like that. when i start it up in the morning some days I start it up and jump in the shower and when i come out (after about 15 mins) the car is warm inside. but the last week it doesnt warm up till i start driving (even after 15 mins of being started up). but today it was warm when i got in. could this be because of a hose leak in the back or is it just the headgasket that causes that?

I was already gonna do a headgasket in about a week so its no biggy.

the engine still has good power. it does not burn oil OR smoke.

 

[Sofast]

Low coolant will definitly leave you with no heat. All of your vital fluids are meant to be on the inside of your engine just like your blood. Fix the leak on the rear of your engine and verify your heat issue

 

[ZCpowerdSI]

Yeah im gonna find out whats leaking and fix it today. Is it bad to be driving with a leaking headgasket? As of today i have a loss of power. i deff feel it now. It idles in between 1000-1500rpms, could the headgasket cause that? Its still not smoking. No blue smoke.

Thanks guys.

 

[dcivic81]

how does your oil look??is it milky???

 

[ZCpowerdSI]

how does your oil look??is it milky???

I checked the oil yesterday and its good. The oil is normal. Not milky, but i'll check again and let you know. I just did an oil change 1500kms ago and looks like i just did it just yeasterday.

 

[d-mon]

head gasket leaks tend to erode (get bigger/worse) as time goes by, allowing coolant to escape faster, increasing the chance of overheating.
over a long period of time your head may warp from being subjected to higher than normal temps.

 

[ZCpowerdSI]

oh ok. makes sence, but its not gonna get that bad i already have the new headgasket for it. i just have to make time to do it.

 

[Fernpatch]

what brand of head gasket do you have? Also I am assuming you have a dohc zc?

 

[ZCpowerdSI]

yeah its a dohc zc... and i bought this cheapo kit.. but if anyone says i shouldnt waste my time on it. its no biggy just to get a new one.

88-89 1.6 Acura Integra D16A1 Dohc 16V Head Gasket Set on eBay.ca (item 220427666126 end time 30-Dec-09 16:27:34 EST)

 

[Fernpatch]

Don't use the ebay kit. been there and done that. lasted about 3 months. Cometic makes a awesome headgasket for the dohc zc. it holds all kinds of abuse and you can order it in multiple thicknesses to raise or lower your compression if you want a little more na power or plan on going turbo. I would also recommend getting arp head studs. you can get both from tunertoys.

 

[ZCpowerdSI]

well i had done a ebay head gasket kit on my last dohc zc and it took a straight pounding for 3 months every single day (i was hard as shit on this engine, poor thing, now with a spun bearing), and never had one problem. held up really well.

 

[Fernpatch]

i guess it is luck of the draw with ebay parts. The only problem i have ever had with car parts on ebay was that cheap ass head gasket. What pissed me off was I knew better than to use it but i was in a hurry to finish the motor and get it on the road.

 

[Egturbohatch]

so the COMETIC head gasket is good, even the 1s dats on ebay for 90-100 bukks. im looking for a head gasket too but in my case im rebuilding the motor....im goin turbo so would da cometic head gasket good for me?...

 

[Fernpatch]

yes, Cometic brand headgaskets are good. If you order them from an autherized vendor you can get them custome made for your application including over bore or custom thickness