few questions about my car

1998 HONDA CIVIC
148,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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PMP
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How do i know if i have a bad head gasket. My head gasket was changed when the people that had my car changed the engine block. The resirvor tank seems to smell like gas or exhaust fumes a little bit. When i start the car when its cold also the oil light flickers really quick im not sure if that means anything. I just added a bottle of coolant in the radiator yesterday and resivor because a heater hose popped when i was driving but i shu the car off imeediately the temp guage barely went up.

also i wnt to move the hot/cold **** on the dash and i think it broke. The switch seems really loose now. I checked the heater control valve and its still connected to that. How would i be able to fix it?

Also i have a pop noise in my right wheel when i go over a speed bump. Inner tie rods are within a year old and are moogs. Any suggestions

Thanks
Oct 5, 2011 at 12:24 AM
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PMP
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Also i was loosing coolant before the hose popped but it could of been leaking a drop so im monitoring it now.
Oct 5, 2011 at 12:25 AM
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PMP
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I was losing coolant really slow.
Oct 5, 2011 at 12:28 AM
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RASMATAZ
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To find out on a bad headgasket -have it block and pressure tested be concern on this problem before the other ones-start here
Oct 5, 2011 at 12:32 AM
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PMP
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Also how do you kno if the head bolts are loose and how would you tighten them where are they?
Oct 5, 2011 at 12:34 AM
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PMP
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can i rent the tools from like autozone and test myself?
Oct 5, 2011 at 12:41 AM
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RASMATAZ
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Use a torque wrench to tighten it by torque specs and sequences the head bolts are right underneath the valve cover. Your best bet is get help you got so many problems you need an experience person to help out-
Oct 5, 2011 at 12:43 AM
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PMP
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ever since ive been using this kendall problem i think ive had a problem is that possible?
Oct 5, 2011 at 12:44 AM
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PMP
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what about the oil light. why does it flicker sometimes when i start the car. A mechanic told me its building up pressure and its alright. Doesn't make sense though. How would i know if the head was loose i have a friend thats a mechanic that can prolly tighten it if it needs to be.
Oct 5, 2011 at 12:46 AM
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PMP
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What about the ac switch also the hot/cold switch
Oct 5, 2011 at 12:53 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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As far as the oil light, it could be very low oil pressure or a bad oil sending unit. You can check pressure with a mechanical gauge to make sure it is within spec. Have a helper move the temp from hot to cool while you check the heater control valve. Is it moving? You could have a broken cable or the valve itself could be broken.
Oct 7, 2011 at 3:55 AM
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