coolant issues (update on post 6)
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Originally Posted by streetglower
Footnote:
One of the bigger challenges for the engineer is to design a head gasket that'll seal the aluminum head to the cast iron block. Aluminum has roughly three times the thermal expansion characteristics of iron. That makes it tougher for the head gasket to maintain a seal with all that thermal cycling than in years past with iron heads. Aluminum heads cannot withstand overheating as iron heads could in the past. It is critical to not let your engine overheat. Overheating is the No. 1 cause of scrapping an engine, not oil neglect as some people believe. Even if you don't blow a head gasket, the head may warp and cause premature wear on the valvetrain components as in some early 4-cylinder Mopar engines from the early 80s"
I think the article was talking about crysler vehicles, but should be the same for any vehicle
One of the bigger challenges for the engineer is to design a head gasket that'll seal the aluminum head to the cast iron block. Aluminum has roughly three times the thermal expansion characteristics of iron. That makes it tougher for the head gasket to maintain a seal with all that thermal cycling than in years past with iron heads. Aluminum heads cannot withstand overheating as iron heads could in the past. It is critical to not let your engine overheat. Overheating is the No. 1 cause of scrapping an engine, not oil neglect as some people believe. Even if you don't blow a head gasket, the head may warp and cause premature wear on the valvetrain components as in some early 4-cylinder Mopar engines from the early 80s"
I think the article was talking about crysler vehicles, but should be the same for any vehicle
Honda's use aluminum head and blocks.... I thought. Should be that big a of a problem, if I'm right.
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Originally Posted by Jrfish007
Honda's use aluminum head and blocks.... I thought. Should be that big a of a problem, if I'm right.
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Originally Posted by streetglower
I am not sure. When I read the beginning of the statement, all the problems that he described was the exact same symptoms of a blown head gasket, so it could possibly help him. This one just said it was talking about crysler vehicles, but all cars should be the same when it refers to checking causes of blown headgaskets. I think.
Yeah, I know and agree, I was just mentioning that the Honda uses aluminum everything
I too think it's a blow headgasket, and yeah the symptons should be the same regardless of what the engine is made of.
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Rep Power: 0 Yes. I agree. The conclusion is you have a headgasket leak which worsens as the car heats up. The coolant will be pushed into the overflow tank in an overheat situation as well, but this will only happen if your thermostat is stuck closed and/or your fans aren't functioning. Since we have eliminated those possibilities, you are only left with a headgasket leak. I believe your car is under warranty so the Honda mechanic would have to verify this with a compression test of each cylinder.
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Rep Power: 319 Make sure they send the heads to a machine shop to have them checked fro cracks and resurfacing, they BETTER know to do this, but you never know.
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Rep Power: 0 well i took the car to the dealer at 6 am. just waiting to see whats going on. i told the service rep that the level in the reserve keeps rising until it spews out the top. She said that she "never ever" heard of that happening. Then she proceeds to tell me that this may be caused by an accident i was in 3 weeks after i got the car. The hit was to the rear quarter panel and i said its impossible. she told me im being arrogant and it may be possible. I was pretty pissed and sleepy so i just went home. I hope its something with the reserve tank. Im praying its not a hg. Btw, the engine oil and coolant both look normal...
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Originally Posted by Farage
well i took the car to the dealer at 6 am. just waiting to see whats going on. i told the service rep that the level in the reserve keeps rising until it spews out the top. She said that she "never ever" heard of that happening. Then she proceeds to tell me that this may be caused by an accident i was in 3 weeks after i got the car. The hit was to the rear quarter panel and i said its impossible. she told me im being arrogant and it may be possible. I was pretty pissed and sleepy so i just went home. I hope its something with the reserve tank. Im praying its not a hg. Btw, the engine oil and coolant both look normal...
Geez... where does Honda find these people??
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Rep Power: 0 damn i just got off the phone with that biach... she says they dont see a problem and are getting one of their mechanics to drive it on the highways tonight. i said take a look at the big puddle of coolant in the engine bay. anyway she refused my request for a rental car because she doesnt see a problem yet. i also asked why she wouldnt do a pressure test or compression test first. she says they have to drive it first. i hate honda dealers with a passion. 
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From: Joliette
Rep Power: 0 I had the EXACT SAME PROBLEM! Stop scratching your head, it's definitely the head gasket. I took my head off myself and saw it with my own eyes. The machine shop where I went to get it ressurfaced told me the Honda dealer sends MANY heads from 01+ EX's for him to ressurface. I raised compression and gave it a port and polish job. Worst part is that it is the head surface warping and not the actual gasket letting go.
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Originally Posted by Farage
you think its just a factory defect or because i drive too hard?
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From: Joliette
Rep Power: 0 I should have mentionned... before removing the head I went and bought a new thermostat, removed the original one (+/-85 000 milles) and tested both. The original one was much slower to open, I replaced it. It didn't solve the problem, as I said, it was the head/gasket. But chances are the problem was created by a slow tired thermostat.
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Rep Power: 0 im so pissed off. the rep calls me up early this morning and says that the mechanic took it out and it never overheated. wtf??? just because it wont overheat, they wont do the necessary tests to determine the problem. I ****in HATE the honda dealers. wtf should i do??? honestly i dont care, the car is a lease so im just gona drive it until the engine dies and then they have to replace that. idiots!
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Originally Posted by Farage
im so pissed off. the rep calls me up early this morning and says that the mechanic took it out and it never overheated. wtf??? just because it wont overheat, they wont do the necessary tests to determine the problem. I ****in HATE the honda dealers. wtf should i do??? honestly i dont care, the car is a lease so im just gona drive it until the engine dies and then they have to replace that. idiots!
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Rep Power: 0 thanks for all the help guys. well i have been driving the car very lightly lately. no revs above 3k and the car hasn't been overheating. however if i drive just a bit hard, it starts overheating right away. still bothers me but whatever, i guess they wanna replace an engine instead of a head gasket.
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Originally Posted by Farage
btw, some people have been telling me it may be a bad waterpump. can this be?
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Rep Power: 812 this is kinda related, but my car makes a loud, constant squeaking noise when its raining. I thought it was a belt that was too tight but maybe its water pump?
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Originally Posted by gearbox
this is kinda related, but my car makes a loud, constant squeaking noise when its raining. I thought it was a belt that was too tight but maybe its water pump?
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Rep Power: 812 the engine bay. i can't get out cause its always pouring rain. Dry weather nothing happens? meh. Started doing it after the alternator was replaced so i'm thinkin he tightened the belt too much. I sprayed dressing and it didn't help.
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Originally Posted by Farage
btw, where is the water pump located?
