I have a 94 accord LX with the 2.2 liter. I just had the timing belt kit, water pump, and radiator replaced. The shop mentioned that they saw signs of a head gasket issue but I could barely pay for the timing belt, etc. Of course, 50 miles after I leave the shop, the car starts running crazy (chugging bad and lost power like it was running on two cylinders) and then over heats. I pull over pop the hood and can see a trail of liquid (thin like coolant but brownish in color) running down the side of the block. This trail of liquid appears to start underneath the exhaust manifold. Towed the car home and there she sits.

Now, my question is... should I replace the head gasket or is it better to find a new/used motor. I have heard people say that the lower end won't last if you do any head work but don't know about replacing the gasket and leaving the head alone. It did get hot, not completely pegged out on the gauge but close. I already have way too much money in this car and can't afford to throw money at it with negative results as before.

Please give me some advice. New gasket? New motor? New car?

Thanks for any and all help!

 

Were there any problems like this before it went in?

Given what you've said....almost sounds like the shop may have sabotaged your motor for them to "notice" a head gasket problem and then it breaks on you leaving the shop. Too much of a coincidence.

 

No, never like this. It didn't run great, thats why I took it in for timing belt. But, never chugging and overheating. The shop also mentioned I should replace the plugs and wires (which kind of points back towards that chugging ssensation)

 

If engine has been cared for in the past, it's probably good to repair w/ new head gasket. New head gasket will be ~1/2 the cost (~$800-$1000) of new engine, IMO. Make sure the cylinder head is checked for cracks, valve stem seals replaced, valves reseated, and head shaved for flatness.

good luck

 

Brownish liquid????

A '94 Accord has an aluminum block and cylinder head and you just had a new radiator and water pump replaced.....

What did this shop use for newantifreeze?

In know you said the leakage looked like it was coming from the front of the block, but if the coolant was that color, you may want to pressure test the system. One real possibility would be the crossover pipe on the rear of the engine underneath the intake manifold). This pipe goes into the water pump and is a very thin steel and replaceable (it is not part of the engine block and it is black in color). If you have coolant that is "brownish" in color, the pipe could be corroded around an oring groove inside the water pump housing. This can cause a MAJOR coolant leak


Hope this helps.
Ed Brian
Accurate Automotive, Inc.
www.accuratecars.com

 

agreed, sounds like the shop guys sabotaged you. lawyer time

 

OKay, I took the day off work and took a little closer look.

I removed the heat shield from the exhaust manifold, filled the radiator with water/coolant and left the cap off, then started it up. After several minutes of running fine, the coolant started to bubble out of the radiator. I put the cap back on. Another minute and I started noticing a leak coming from the exhaust manifold on the #1 cylinder (the car started running poorly). Positively coolant, and it looks like it is being forced out of the cylinder into the exhaust. I pulled the #1 plug and it was soaked in coolant.

 

It could be either a bad head gasket, cracked head, or both. Head must be removed and inspected for cracks and reinstalled. I would recommend having the head checked for cracks, rebuilt if OK w/new valve stem seals, valves reseated, and head shaved for an absolute flat, smooth sealing surface.

My 94 EX had similar problem (engine missing and loss of coolant) for no apparent reason other than age (200k miles). It's been running fine for overtwoyears now w/ another 20K miles accumulated.

good luck

 

i smell a fish with that shop...