Rep Power: 0

So I ended up with a car off craigslist. When we looked at it everything seemed great, started up no problem, run cool, and sounded great. A few weeks after getting the car I noticed it was having trouble starting when cool. It would drag and sputter. Sometimes it would die before it cleaned out but most of the time it would run rough for a bit then start to smooth out.

A few days later while driving around I noticed the car start to red line at a stop while the AC was on. Pulled over, popped the hood as it was dripping water. Sat for maybe 10 minutes and the car was fine. Drove it and I noticed the needle was slowly going up and then back down. I got home and the next day made sure the cooling system was full. I filled the head, put the hose back on and run the car while filling the radiator until the bubbles stopped. Once I did that it seemed to take care of the starting issue for a few days. Now the starting issue is back and the car seems to run more hot then it should while the AC is on.

Today while driving with the AC on I noticed something else happening. While driving the temp gauge would go up then down but never red line. The car could be running cool but be blowing warmish air out of the vents. Then it would start to blow cool air for awhile. I've got a feeling it could be a warped head but I'd like further input.

The cars got problems and he fooled me. I found a water jug in the trunk under the spare tire cover.....seems it's had this problem for some time. Another thing I noticed last night was that the SRS light came on. The car only has 89k miles and this pisses me off!

 
Rep Power: 209

yes he sure did......you bought a car with a blown head gasket, and odds are you will need a new head also

 
Rep Power: 517

The computer will shut the AC compressor off when the engine is overheating.

You bought someone elses problem car.
Blown head gasket at the minimum.
Possible (likely) warped head, probably can be machined if not severe.
If it's truly severe, replacement would be necessary. (Your machine shop should make that call when they measure it.)

 
Rep Power: 0

That's why I drive a jeep, I understand them! Why would I spend money on a new head when I can have it resurfaced?

Someone will be dealing with some broken windows Since it's taking so long for the car to over heat like this, and only really gets bad when the AC is on does that sound like it's not to bad? Just driving around town the car doesn't get hot to were it's a problem since I burped the system. I'm guessing more air has gotten in though since it does have a blown gasket.

So I guess in the mean time I'll be filling her up and watching the gauge around town with no ac until I can get it apart.

 
Rep Power: 517

That's like saying someone is "only a little bit pregnant".



If it's really blown. Proof is in the pudding.

 
Rep Power: 209

because if its bad enough it can not be resurfaced,

i guess its not "too bad"

but it will only get worse

 
Rep Power: 0

I am so sorry to hear this. Looks like you got a problem car. However, from your writing I am getting that you only got this car few weeks ago. I am wondering about the following. Can you check the relevant laws in your state or city. Can you return the car?

You can find this out at a local Honda dealer or any dealerships, I am sure they will know. May be they can check and let you know how old the problems are and you will have an argument and the law on your side.

Hope this helps.

 
Rep Power: 0

Personally I don't much care for cops so I'd rather just fix the car and handle the person in my own ways ha. The car is for my fiance and she knows the issues it's having. I'm going to take the head off this weekend and see about having it resurfaced and just replace gaskets. The car only has 89k, I think fixing the issue with the head, replacing the thermostat and rad cap should be good to go.

 
Rep Power: 0

Also, what could be the cause of the rough start/idle when first started. If the engine is hot it starts no issue. But if it's cool it has a hard time starting. Pumping the pedal a bit helps.

 
Rep Power: 517

Antifreeze getting past the head gasket into a cylinder while it sits overnight, then getting a spark plug wet when you crank it up in the morning.


Pretty easy to prove this, shut it off before it clears itself out and pull the plugs to see if one is wet.


Could be other stuff, but this rates pretty damn high on the probability list right now.

 
Rep Power: 0

Yea after starting on the removal of the head last night I thought about that. I seems as though the battery was taking a **** as well. Was leaking all over the pan it sits in! Also when I pulled the spark plugs it looked like cylinder #3 was a bit more burnt. I'm guessing that is where the water/antifreeze was getting in. I'll be taking it down tomorrow and having it resurfaced. Almost had to buy a new head.....spark plugs almost seemed stuck. Since I figured I was going to have to replace the head anyways I took all of them out. And once I got them all out and I checked them out, none of them cross threaded or damaged the treads So just gotta have it resurfaced!

 
Rep Power: 517

Battery leaking acid? Wow. Better get the baking soda and neutralize all the sulfuric acid before it eats everything it touches.