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First let me say, i know there are plenty of threads like this, but i have not been able to find a thread that has met all of my issues. I have been reading this forum religiously (to the best of my abilities) for the past 3 days trying to figure what exactly the problem is. Now, i know to some/most this might be straight forward, i need to ask just to be 100 percent sure. I am assuming its a head gasket issue, but i do not see any white smoke coming out of the exhaust.

I own a 2005 Honda Civic Si and i am in need of a timing belt change (150 km).

(This is 4 months ago)For a week or so, my car would only shoot out cold air when parked, though when i was accelerating, heat would come out. Then again, once i stop at a red light, back to cold air. One night, i was sitting in my car, while the car started overheating, engine light coming on. I immediately turned the car off and saw the coolant tank was empty. I refilled it and drove off home. After about 20 minute of driving home, the car started overheating again; this time on the road. Stopped again, waited for the car to cool down, and drive a little more. Since by that time, i was close to home, I managed to get it home safely without red lining the car. Next morning i check the engine coolant tank, and it is empty. Though by this time, the engine light goes away. Not having this problem ever happen to me before, i drive it to the closest mechanic which is Canadian Tire (those from Canada). My oil had been burnt, almost non existent and and the mechanic suggested an engine flush along with trying to seal any potential small cracks with lubricant. So i did that and didn't touch the car for the next 4 months (school).

Now, the overheating has yet to come, though i have not been driving much, but again, when my car is stopped or going slow, cold air comes out. Underneath the car, passenger side, there is leakage and part of the internal bumper has stains it. I opened the radiator valve and it looks empty.

Can someone please help me figuring out how i should go figuring out what the problem is and also, i need a mechanic in GTA (greater Toronto area) that can do a good job on my timing belt and potential head gasket that doesnt charge an arm and a leg(generic prices are welcome).

Thank you

 
Rep Power: 285

If it's consuming both oil and coolant then that would suggest you have a blown head gasket, but it would need to be very badly blown to loose that much coolant. Are you sure the radiator doesn't have a leak?

A head gasket and timing belt could should run you around $1500 at a respectable shop. If the engine ran on very low oil though then I would consider just looking for a new engine, you could probably find one with low kms for under $800, add another $200 for parts for a timing belt and $600-700 in labour to install the engine.

 
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Well... I agree with the advice above but even a minor head gasket leak can displace a large amount of coolant if left over a long period of time. That being said I'm from the Hamilton area and have done the job before, but I don't ever touch anyone elses cars... 1500 is a good number here in Canada but it can be done for cheaper. It depends on how much crap you change. I.E. water pump, timing belt, p/s belt, seals etc. It's not a hard job but very time consuming and you do have to know what your doing or you can have catastrophic results. I'd aim for 1250 if I were you parts included or less.

 
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Ahh! No stop in Toronto on the way back from NV?

 
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i have not checked the radiator. I will do some research into that. Though, today i took the car for a drive and the heater was working while in park for a good 20-30 minutes and no overheating what so ever. Can i use this as a good sign or no? Reason for my asking is that my mechanic who is a licensed honda mechanic is 30-40 minute drive for me. Im not sure if i should be driving that far.

 
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whats NV? if nevada, then i mean toronto ontario

 
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Running joke from other thread, sorry.

And, yes, NV is Nevada.

 
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i took the car for a drive. Doing a check up after and before, i noticed a few things. The dip stick before was a little over the max, and after taking a short drive, and checking, it increased two fold. I also noticed that there were no leaks; and the mechanic that did my oil change and engine coolant, put both over the max. The oil doesnt seem milky, but tail pipe was shooting what seemed like water. I also checked to see if any bubbles form in the radiator cap while the car running with the cap off. My engine line immediately came on when i turned the car on with the cap off and inside it looked completely empty. Does this help with anything?

 
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Water is a normal product of the exhaust reactions in the cat, so water in your tail pipe is fine.

 
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