Rough idle, stall and smoking from tailpipe

XKCS

MEMBER
1994 HONDA ACCORD
2.3L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
250,000 MILES

Just replaced the head on the car and upon starting it up the car ran fine but after a lap around the block it shut off. Now it idles very rough, shakes and shuts off. If it’s not being given gas. Any ideas on what this could be?

Monday, June 17th, 2019 AT 1:27 PM

3 Replies

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello,

Did you have the cylinder head shaved by a machine shop before reinstalling? I would suggest that you do a compression test to see where you stand. I have included a link below for you to go to:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Please go through this guide and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

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Monday, June 17th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM

XKCS

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you for the response, and yes I got the head resurfaced by a machine shop and it was tested for compression by them right after. I would buy the tools needed and do one myself, however right after I posted the car started pluming with white smoke from the tailpipe and underneath he exhaust manifold. So we towed it to my mechanics shop to see if he could find the issue. My worst fear is that the heads messed up before even getting to drive the car.

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Monday, June 17th, 2019 AT 11:57 PM

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello,

I do believe it is going to be a head gasket issue. White smoke is usually caused by coolant being burnt in the combustion chamber. That is only really caused by three things, cracked engine block, cracked cylinder head, or, most likely in your case, a blown head gasket. The shop that did the head gasket job for you should be responsible for making this right for you. Anyway here is a link below for you explaining white smoke coming from your exhaust:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/white-smoke-or-steam-coming-from-the-exhaust-pipe

Please go through this guide and I hope everything works out for you. Please keep us informed as to what is going on, and if you have any other questions, please, feel free to ask. We are here to help.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

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Tuesday, June 18th, 2019 AT 5:13 AM