Overheating

Post by **4th Gen Doug** » Mon May 27, 2013 5:23 pm

Hi guys,
Driving home last night, I noticed that for the first time since I have owned my 'lude, it was overheating - the temp was on the red..

So anyway, being as it was 1:30am, I thought to myself I'll take a look in the morning.
I get out of the car to hear an alarming boiling noise coming from under the bonnet..

SO First question is why is my car overheating - does anyone have any pointers I should be checking in the first instance? Any obvious things that would cause overheating? (while running up the engine today, I did notice the fan did not kick in at any point - even when it started getting very hot.)

Secondly...
I did investigate today not really having a bloody clue what I'm looking for and find this in my water...

WTF is that goop in my water?

Please, PLEASE don't tell me it's the headgasket gone to ratshit, I only just got the bloody thing back on the road after a year in the garage..

taz8520 · Post by **taz8520** » Mon May 27, 2013 5:30 pm

Did it have any coolant in? it def looks like headgastet though

, what does the oil filler cap look like ?

Bludge · Post by **Bludge** » Mon May 27, 2013 5:54 pm

Yikes. yeah looks like oil getting into the coolant.

If thats what is running through the coolant system it isnt going to do anything good for engine temp.
As others have said check the oil cap and the dipstick and see if you have the mayo like substance. if you do its likely a blown head gasket.

If the oil looks ok it might be worth flushing the coolant system and refilling it. you will soon know if the oil is getting in.

Post by **DaveyBa8** » Mon May 27, 2013 5:56 pm

Looks like the head gasket.

Post by **Vtecmec** » Mon May 27, 2013 5:59 pm

Sorry to say but the boiling coolant is probably added pressure in the system from combustion leak and due to the head gasket.

If its been stood for a year, might be worth flushing the coolant out, but its a long shot.

If you run it for a while, then leave it for half hour or so, just long enough to get the rad cap off without it blowing up in your face (tricky), then run it and look at the fluid where the cap normally is, if there is a steady stream of bubbles appearing out of the coolant, then it'll definitely be the HG.

Post by **4th Gen Doug** » Mon May 27, 2013 6:00 pm

Just checked the dipstick & oil filler cap - Same goop.. Fekit!

Does anyone have any experience with this stuff as a temporary fix?
Also, what sort of money am I looking at to have the gasket replaced?
Cheers
Doug

Post by **4th Gen Doug** » Mon May 27, 2013 6:07 pm

newkid wrote: Several hundred to do the headgasket as once you have the head of your as well doing the timing belt etc as all that comes off anyway.

^^^
That's why I'm asking!

Bludge · Post by **Bludge** » Mon May 27, 2013 6:12 pm

I have heard very mixed reviews of that sort of stuff, but never used it myself. if they offer a guarantee that its not gonna be detrimental to the cooling system or engine i dont see the harm in trying it, especially as it seems you can get your money back if it doesnt work.

I have been tempted to try it as i am losing coolant and suspecting head gasket, but i dont overheat and my coolant is clean.
If you do decide to try it i would be interested to hear how you get on with it.

Post by **vanzep** » Mon May 27, 2013 6:13 pm

thats unlucky Doug

like others have said there is no quick fix for something like that
you need to sit down, have a cup of tea and have a think

Bludge · Post by **Bludge** » Mon May 27, 2013 6:21 pm

I did look into the possibility of doing the head gasket myself. there is a video on youtube that is about 7 weeks long that shows the procedure in detail on a h22a engine that is in a civic.