Rep Power: 0

Hello I have a 2002 Honda Civic with a possibly head gasket leak ? This car has never overheated and has no issues but it is losing coolant somewhere , it has no visual leaks but is looking coolant in the overflow tank , the car does not smoke or smell like burning antifreeze the top radiator is soft after it cools down and the car has no loss in power or anything , the car does have bubbles in the overflow tank when hot and the cars temp gauge takes a long time to warm up and will fluctuate all the time when driving , from cold too operating temp then too a little on the hot side ... trying to figure out my best options before doing a head gasket , what could be the other issues if it’s not the head gasket ? Thanks

 
Rep Power: 224

I would be astonished if it wasn't the head gasket. If you have the tools and know how you can DIY it for $100-200. If you take it to a shop to do it'll probably be $700+.

 
Rep Power: 0

Alright thank you ! I’m looking into doing it , does the head always have to be decked ? Or can u get away with just cleaning it up and doing gaskets

 
Rep Power: 224

I have done around five head gaskets on these engines. Every time I have taken it to a machine shop to be checked, every time they have had to take off a good amount to get it flat. If you don't have a machine shop check it you're risking more head gasket issues soon afterwards.

 
Rep Power: 367

head gasket.

 
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I have the head off and headgasket , what should I be looking for to determine it was exactly the head gasket ? I see no cracks or visual issues with the headgasket it’s self , also no places on the head or block indicating a intrusion of antifreeze ...

 
Rep Power: 367

this

if you wanted to prove, engine would need to be running. testing method in the 1st post.

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/3...reference.html