Blown head gasket

Tiny
ROSSIANABUDEL
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70,000 MILES
I think the head gasket of my honda accord blew because of a too high pressure bar of the radiator cap which caused overheating of the engine. Which steps should I take to replace the head gasket?
Monday, February 16th, 2009 AT 12:00 PM

44 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hello,

You must start by disconnecting the battery and draining the coolant. Also once the head is off have it remachined so it is flat or the new gasket will fail prematurely. Also change the oil in the engine when the job is complete and remove the timing chain or belt with the water pump as well for w complete job so you can use the car. Here are the instructions and diagrams on how to change the head gasket by removing the cylinder head in the images below. Click to enlarge. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Monday, February 16th, 2009 AT 12:27 PM
Tiny
KARENCAREN
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  • 72 POSTS
Yes. Block it and have a pressure test on it. That will confirm if your head gasket is really broken.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 AT 12:11 AM
Tiny
MIKEYWESTERVILLE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 155,000 MILES
Does 2.3L 4-Cyl VTEC engine in an Accord LX have oil flow through the head that would show up as an oil leak if the head gasket is blown?

I have been told this engine has a blown head gasket by a commercial chain garage. Not sure how they tested. They said visible inspection and chemical test but this was only a $25.00 general car inspection. Engine seems to start, run and sound good (?), Just not as peppy as when new.

Old upper radiator hose (hot flow to radiator) is expanded like a balloon. (But maybe just old? Will replace hoses along with thermostat and radiator cap). No overheating or smoke in exhaust! I do not see bubbles in coolant, nor is coolant blown out through reservoir. I sampled oil from cold engine via drain plug, no visible coolant in oil. I do see an oil leak somewhere around the valve cover and the oil seals around spark plug tubes seem to have failed.

Next possibly considering a chemical blown gasket/coolant test. I may also do compression and leak down tests, but saw the new 2carpros article on blown head gaskets which mentioned the oil flow through the head and possible oil leak via a blown head gasket. I had not seen this discussed before and I do have a VTEC engine wherein oil pressure is used to adjust the valve timing/lift. (But my understanding is that the VTEC solenoid actuator valve itself is under a separate cover and gasket.

I know I need to do at least a valve adjustment and replace various valve cover seals. Just trying to determine if I need to go that much farther, or maybe just do a head removal and inspection anyway (?).

Thanks.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
All cylinder heads have oil passages, there is normally only one transfer port through the head gasket and several drain back chambers. If the head was warped enough for an oil leak from the pressure port, you will have oil in the coolant and over heating problems. It is unusual for these head to crack with out being over heated. The chemical head test is normally very conclusive, the chemical used changes color when mixed with exhaust gasses, the test draws gasses from the cooling system and if reactive the head will be cracked or a gasket problem will be present. See if you can watch the test being done, as you can get a false reading if coolant is drawn up into the test chamber. So people do this with out the customer being aware and sell expensive head work when its not required. So get the test done by a recommended repairer, do not be afraid to ask questions. Now that you know a few of the details as to what you are looking for hopefully you find a good honest mechanic and you have no problems. Feel free to re post if you have any ongoing questions.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MONTREAL
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 2001 HONDA ACCORD
2001 Honda Accord Ex 2.3L 4 cylinder. I blew a head gasket and had it replaced but now Car starts but won't rev up past 2500 rpm. Was told it was ECM so we tried two different ones and it will only start with the new ones only the original ECM already in car.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MONTREAL
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Correction only starts with original ECM not the new ones.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Thats because the new ones need to be flashed before installing.

Take them back. Re check your timing before anything. If it is ok, check the cat converter as the coolant on the exhaust may have damaged the cat.

Roy
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MONTREAL
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The Two ECM parts were used so would they still need to be flashed and if so what does flashing it mean?
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MONTREAL
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And the Cat Converter is not plugged it has good exhaust flow
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MONTREAL
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
It's acting like it's not getting the fuel it needs its acting like something is shutting it down.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You need a back pressure gauge for the cat test. Feeling the exhaust is not accurate.

Used ones will never work as they have been programmed to another vehicle. Flashing is an operating system specific for the car. Runs about 150 to flash if it needs it.

Get a fuel pressure check as well.

Make sure the timing and compression are good.

Roy
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MONTREAL
  • MEMBER
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Ok so basically I need to return the used ECM's that I purchased because they won't work anyway and take my car and get the cat tested done to verify that it's not an exhaust issue and also a fuel pressure check and then if that as well as the timing and compressions are good then I would need to get my original ECM flashed and more than likely this would fix the issue?
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Why are you always going back to the pcm? Did you have this diaged for an issue prior to the repair? It is the very last item to be concerned with at this point. You are not even close to discussing this possibility

Roy
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MONTREAL
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No I didn't have a diagnostic done until after the head gasket repair and that's when the person who did the repair noticed these issues which wasn't an issue before the repair so we took it to a shop with updated equipment which at first said it was the timing and once the person working on my car went back and checked the timing and said it was lined up exactly how it was prior to the head gasket work the shop then said that it then has to be the ECM.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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You need a second opinion here from someone more familiar with these types of repair.

Roy
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MONTREAL
  • MEMBER
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Ok I will do that. Thank you so much for all of your help.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Good luck
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
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Is the MIL indicating and have you scanned for trouble codes?
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRINGIT212
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 197,000 MILES
Hi.
I recently had my car diagnosed with a blown head gasket. I have been told the cost to repair is nearly $2000. I have also been warned that when doing this kind of work on such an "old" car there can be worse problems that will follow as a result. My choice is to either fix it or retire it. Just looking for some advice. Thanks.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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It takes about 8hrs to remove and replace-headgasket about $48.00/labor ranges from $70.00-$130.00-varies with location -its too much-go somewhere else-your shot on the retirement.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)

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