95 Prelude-Coolant in oil & oil in coolant

DEROB

MEMBER
1995 HONDA PRELUDE

I have a '95 Honda Prelude SI 2.3l with 185k miles. While driving, I noticed the temp. Gauge rising and reached the red zone. I stopped the car immediately. Upon investigating, I found both the coolant and oil milky. I took it to a mechanic and he said that it is a blown gasket and that the engine might be damaged. How high is the possibility that the engine might be damaged? Should I change just the gasket or the whole engine?

1 Reply

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,753 POSTS

Knowing the engine design as they are pretty much all the same in general. It is possible that the oil being pumped to the head is leaking and getting in to the coolant and coolant in to the oil. The chances of the head be warped or cracked and the gasket being bad are much much greater than the chance of a crack in the block. Go with that information and make the decision. I would try the head if it were me.