Own a 1991 Honda Civic Si 3dr Hatchback that may possibly need a new head.
I bought this car brand new in Oct 1990 and drove it to 515k miles until it just died on me while driving on the freeway.
I drove with bad valve stem seals and with a disconnected temp gauge switch for years. Finally caught up to me. The car over heated
There are traces of a milky substance on the underside of the oil cap
The car starts up fine without any hesitation.
The fan does turn on now when leaving the engine running for a while.
I have yet to pull the thermostat to see its condition
Not sure where to start
I do know that the car needed the valve steam seals replaced prior to it dying on me. I was getting blue smoke at idle.
Is there a chance that the thermostat just got stuck and maybe, just maybe, the head gasket is fine and all it needs is some attention.
I have no check engine lights and car starts up fine. Again, the oil cap does have minor traces of a milky like substance but I'm no expert.
If the head gasket was blown then what should I do next?
Can anyone here provide me with the Do's and Dont's when removing the head?
If head needs to be repaired I want to remove the head and take it in to a shop for the repair.
I will be removing it and reinstalling it
What is expected of the repair shop as far as what should be done to the head, what gets repaired and what gets replaced?
I have no experience with this type of engine work but I want to tackle it myself.
Just need to know what things to watch out for.
I almost junked the car the other day and I stopped for a second and told myself that I would give the car another chance.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
I bought this car brand new in Oct 1990 and drove it to 515k miles until it just died on me while driving on the freeway.
I drove with bad valve stem seals and with a disconnected temp gauge switch for years. Finally caught up to me. The car over heated
There are traces of a milky substance on the underside of the oil cap
The car starts up fine without any hesitation.
The fan does turn on now when leaving the engine running for a while.
I have yet to pull the thermostat to see its condition
Not sure where to start
I do know that the car needed the valve steam seals replaced prior to it dying on me. I was getting blue smoke at idle.
Is there a chance that the thermostat just got stuck and maybe, just maybe, the head gasket is fine and all it needs is some attention.
I have no check engine lights and car starts up fine. Again, the oil cap does have minor traces of a milky like substance but I'm no expert.
If the head gasket was blown then what should I do next?
Can anyone here provide me with the Do's and Dont's when removing the head?
If head needs to be repaired I want to remove the head and take it in to a shop for the repair.
I will be removing it and reinstalling it
What is expected of the repair shop as far as what should be done to the head, what gets repaired and what gets replaced?
I have no experience with this type of engine work but I want to tackle it myself.
Just need to know what things to watch out for.
I almost junked the car the other day and I stopped for a second and told myself that I would give the car another chance.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.