My wife's '98 Honda Civic EX is being a real pain in my ***. Since last summer, I have been trying to fix a coolant problem. I replaced the radiator, the hoses, the temp sensor, the radiator fan sensor, the thermostat, and the water pump (and the timing belt), all in an effort to fix this issue. Now, it's exhibiting a related issue, so it's not fixed. Today, she calls me and tells me that there is coolant everywhere under the hood and obviously it's smoking like mad.

At this point, I can only assume with a warped/cracked head or a bad gasket (or a cracked block, god forbid). Any idea what I'm looking at to fix this? I'm talkin used parts, here. I can find a new head for $700, but I think a salvage one would work just fine even if I have to have it shaved.

 

If it is a warped head you should be able to get it redecked. Im not sure on how much you can take off.

 

^True. Take the head to a shop and have them check it. They will be able to tell you exactly what it needs. If they have to shave too much off and it wont work, check ebay. I've seen rebuilt y8 heads for under $300 there, just as good as new.

 

Helps to get some simple green or other cleaner/degreaser and scrub as much of the block as you can. Get it clean and it becomes easy to see what's leaking.

 

i say fill the car up and let it run, check the small hoses for a leak.