Car is a mess mechanically

GAILNJILL

MEMBER
1990 HONDA CIVIC
261,366 MILES

Car has hesitation when accelerating, also has 2missing bolts on head, oil seem to be all over engine area, smell of coolant after you drive it and engine is hot, but I really don't know what to check first. The temp gauge stays on cooler side of half. Need to do any repairs myself cause I have no money to hire mechanic. I am hoping you can help me with this car. I am a grandmother supporting 4 people on my social security. But I am determined to be educated about my car. I watched a video and changed a heater core on a friend's truck. So I am teachable, please help me! Bought car three weeks ago, had oil change then, plugs replaced, fluids topped, and was no coolant in radiator when I looked in it, added just water til I could go buy coolant, but afraid to drive it til I get answers.

1 Reply

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Which 2 bolts are missing?

Is coolant still depleting from the radiator? What about the recovery tank, increasing in level or depleting? Smell of coolant indicates a leak somewhere and you need to get this rectified. What I am worried is that the head gasket has already been damaged due to lack of coolant.

Oil leaking all over is common due to bad valve cover gaskets, oil seals and distributor O'rings.
Misfiring could be due to oil getting to the spark plug tubes due to bad plug seals and this could damage plug wires as well.