Should Head Gasket Paranoia Deter me from buying a 7th Gen??
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Hello guys this is my first post here and I really need advice from seasoned 7th gen owners. I am wanting to buy an 01-05 sedan or coupe, preferably the EX model, but my major worry is the potential for it to develop a HG leak. I've never owned a 7th gen model before and was unaware of how prevalent the issue is until just recently through researching online.
Based on your own experiences and observations of other owners, what is the probability that Ill end up with a bad one? I know nothing can be predicted for sure, but is there a statistical estimate of it? From what you've witnessed, would you say 4/10 develop bad HG's? 50% do? More perhaps? Ive read a few threads that the HGs can go bad on these cars no matter how well taken care of and maintained they were.
I just wrecked my 8th gen ex sedan (not my fault) and have always wanted a 7th gen model, but I really dont want to deal with a HG issue in the future. I need something reliable for work and for my wife to drive on the weekends with our kids. Thanks
Based on your own experiences and observations of other owners, what is the probability that Ill end up with a bad one? I know nothing can be predicted for sure, but is there a statistical estimate of it? From what you've witnessed, would you say 4/10 develop bad HG's? 50% do? More perhaps? Ive read a few threads that the HGs can go bad on these cars no matter how well taken care of and maintained they were.
I just wrecked my 8th gen ex sedan (not my fault) and have always wanted a 7th gen model, but I really dont want to deal with a HG issue in the future. I need something reliable for work and for my wife to drive on the weekends with our kids. Thanks
#2
Dr Krieger of Modification
Re: Should Head Gasket Paranoia Deter me from buying a 7th Gen??
It's an old car it could happen.
Mine went after the fan switch blew, which lead to overheating.
...I've been driving her for about a year with the blown head gasket, I just add coolant every now and then, for all the coolant she drinks.
I'm at 170,000km oil changed with synthetic every 5,000km (everywell looked after car).
I'd say if you don't want to fix it your self don't take the risk, or, have some extra cash on hand.
Mine went after the fan switch blew, which lead to overheating.
...I've been driving her for about a year with the blown head gasket, I just add coolant every now and then, for all the coolant she drinks.
I'm at 170,000km oil changed with synthetic every 5,000km (everywell looked after car).
I'd say if you don't want to fix it your self don't take the risk, or, have some extra cash on hand.
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It's an old car it could happen.
Mine went after the fan switch blew, which lead to overheating.
...I've been driving her for about a year with the blown head gasket, I just add coolant every now and then, for all the coolant she drinks.
I'm at 170,000km oil changed with synthetic every 5,000km (everywell looked after car).
I'd say if you don't want to fix it your self don't take the risk, or, have some extra cash on hand.
Mine went after the fan switch blew, which lead to overheating.
...I've been driving her for about a year with the blown head gasket, I just add coolant every now and then, for all the coolant she drinks.
I'm at 170,000km oil changed with synthetic every 5,000km (everywell looked after car).
I'd say if you don't want to fix it your self don't take the risk, or, have some extra cash on hand.
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Some one is posting about a blown head gasket once a week it seems. So it does appear to be a common problem.
Another thing to consider will be replacing the timing belt as well which is recommended every 100K. If your car already has some good mileage on it and you don't know the date of the last TB replacement. You might want to put that on your to-do list sooner than later.
Just another thing to consider. But if your looking for a car to work and learn on, it's a good car for it. If you're not inclined to work on it yourself then I guess you can roll the dice and see what happens.
Another thing to consider will be replacing the timing belt as well which is recommended every 100K. If your car already has some good mileage on it and you don't know the date of the last TB replacement. You might want to put that on your to-do list sooner than later.
Just another thing to consider. But if your looking for a car to work and learn on, it's a good car for it. If you're not inclined to work on it yourself then I guess you can roll the dice and see what happens.
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Some one is posting about a blown head gasket once a week it seems. So it does appear to be a common problem.
Another thing to consider will be replacing the timing belt as well which is recommended every 100K. If your car already has some good mileage on it and you don't know the date of the last TB replacement. You might want to put that on your to-do list sooner than later.
Just another thing to consider. But if your looking for a car to work and learn on, it's a good car for it. If you're not inclined to work on it yourself then I guess you can roll the dice and see what happens.
Another thing to consider will be replacing the timing belt as well which is recommended every 100K. If your car already has some good mileage on it and you don't know the date of the last TB replacement. You might want to put that on your to-do list sooner than later.
Just another thing to consider. But if your looking for a car to work and learn on, it's a good car for it. If you're not inclined to work on it yourself then I guess you can roll the dice and see what happens.
Ive done a few t-belt/wp replacements on d16s, which is basically the same as on the 17s--easy as ****. HG job looks more involved. Its not worth the hassle to me, which is a shame because i love the body style and interior of the 7th g.
#6
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: Should Head Gasket Paranoia Deter me from buying a 7th Gen??
Head gasket jobs used to be routine services on many many different brands of cars, and some were well known for going bad sooner than later.
Know what the symptoms are so you know if it happens to you, know how to deal with it to get home (refill the radiator!), then fix it and go on.
IDK why everyone seems so scared of these.
Maybe its because when it happens to a car that old and the owner can't DIY, the repair in a shop can be worth more than the car itself.
Know what the symptoms are so you know if it happens to you, know how to deal with it to get home (refill the radiator!), then fix it and go on.
IDK why everyone seems so scared of these.
Maybe its because when it happens to a car that old and the owner can't DIY, the repair in a shop can be worth more than the car itself.
#7
Re: Should Head Gasket Paranoia Deter me from buying a 7th Gen??
people dont come here and post something like "my car is running perfect!"
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Re: Should Head Gasket Paranoia Deter me from buying a 7th Gen??
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In reading back through some of the bad HG threads over the past few months it has me wondering something...
Are the headgaskets themselves the problem, or is it another component that is failing, then in turn causing an overheat condition thus leading to the HG blowing?
Some uers have indicated that their thermostat was stuck closed, or their fan switch wasnt working. What do you guys think?
Are the headgaskets themselves the problem, or is it another component that is failing, then in turn causing an overheat condition thus leading to the HG blowing?
Some uers have indicated that their thermostat was stuck closed, or their fan switch wasnt working. What do you guys think?
#10
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: Should Head Gasket Paranoia Deter me from buying a 7th Gen??
lulz
The biggest reason you can find so many threads about this head gasket problem is these are so hard to for most people to get figured out, they try replacing everything except the head gasket first.
#11
Prelude Owner
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Re: Should Head Gasket Paranoia Deter me from buying a 7th Gen??
Never had a HG issue with my 01. Had 200k miles on it.
People do mis diagnose 7th gen HG issues all the time like ezone said. It doesn't follow "traditional" headgasket signs.
People do mis diagnose 7th gen HG issues all the time like ezone said. It doesn't follow "traditional" headgasket signs.
#12
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Re: Should Head Gasket Paranoia Deter me from buying a 7th Gen??
Hello guys this is my first post here and I really need advice from seasoned 7th gen owners. I am wanting to buy an 01-05 sedan or coupe, preferably the EX model, but my major worry is the potential for it to develop a HG leak. I've never owned a 7th gen model before and was unaware of how prevalent the issue is until just recently through researching online.
#13
Re: Should Head Gasket Paranoia Deter me from buying a 7th Gen??
Yes. It is very confusing. Mine happened twice on my 05. At 283k I decided to get an 8th Gen. I figure it will be fixed and run a bit more, but the design of it...and it is very strange coming on at first. I just did not wish to ruin the engine and keep on with it but refill and get fixed fast. So sorry this happens! It is making me crazy paranoid to check the fluid in the "new" 08 I just acquired. It is something about the gasket and just aluminum and steel meeting together.
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You shouldn't let it scare you away from a great deal; it's simple to do and doesn't take much in the way of specialized tools. The closest I can think of that you could consider specialized would be a torque wrench and that's something you should have a few of anyhow, if you do any maintenance yourself.
It would be a simple one day job if you have all the tools at hand, but having the head inspected and, if needed, corrected will probably add two days to that.
The timing belt, which should be done at the same time, is simple as well since there aren't multiple cams to gum up the works.
It would be a simple one day job if you have all the tools at hand, but having the head inspected and, if needed, corrected will probably add two days to that.
The timing belt, which should be done at the same time, is simple as well since there aren't multiple cams to gum up the works.
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