Random Overheating in Traffic
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They didn't say, I'll ask when I go pick up the car.
I talked to an independent shop run by a friend of mine, she said around $1,900...but said I could prob get a new engine for like $1,000 and another $1,000 to install. Still a little high for me, I might just wait until there's a cool day and trade it in.
I talked to an independent shop run by a friend of mine, she said around $1,900...but said I could prob get a new engine for like $1,000 and another $1,000 to install. Still a little high for me, I might just wait until there's a cool day and trade it in.
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I'm really hesitant to dump another $1,000+ into the car. This is actually the second Honda Civic that screwed me over exactly at 100k miles (previous one was a 1994 ex coupe and the transmission went at 100,001 miles).
I might donate it, trade it in, or craigslist it cheap.
I might donate it, trade it in, or craigslist it cheap.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 184
ongoing
Sorry I haven't kept up, I kinda forgot about this thread as I wasn't notified when there was a reply. (my bad)
Ron's question is key: What exactly led to the diagnosis of a "bad head". When you pay the dealer's rate for diagnostics you are entitled to see, hear, smell, touch their findings. It is not that they are withholding this information, but are sometimes not used to customers wanting to know fully what is going on so that they can do a logic check before committing funds/work to the repair. I have nothing against dealers; they are usually the most informed diagnosticians on the product for which they are most familiar. That is why they are paid well, just like a specialist in the medical profession. I have a very good friend that is a Master Mechanic in a Toyota dealership and he must constantly go to school to remain up to speed on the latest technology, etc. Knowledge does not come cheap, as anyone with an upper level education can attest. I digress; ask the dealership exactly how they reached this conclusion, as Ron suggested, then report back here.
One other question: After the burp of the air bubble, did you drive it for a while and replicate the problem? I cannot tell by the posts that you did, and I wondered if the problem had the same frequency or had diminished slightly. In addition, head gaskets can sometimes “open up” at temperature given that the thermal coefficients are at work, so the somewhat random nature of this fail may point to that as the cause. I guess I am a little su****ious of a head failure without removing it from the car and checking the deck for flatness, etc. They may have witnessed a hairline crack somewhere though that was seeping coolant which would call for a replacement. This is unknown at this time. I believe you should get more informed and ask more questions and trust your power of observation a little more before you commit a bunch of money with an engine swap. This may be repairable with less funds than you believe with the correct assessment.
Ron's question is key: What exactly led to the diagnosis of a "bad head". When you pay the dealer's rate for diagnostics you are entitled to see, hear, smell, touch their findings. It is not that they are withholding this information, but are sometimes not used to customers wanting to know fully what is going on so that they can do a logic check before committing funds/work to the repair. I have nothing against dealers; they are usually the most informed diagnosticians on the product for which they are most familiar. That is why they are paid well, just like a specialist in the medical profession. I have a very good friend that is a Master Mechanic in a Toyota dealership and he must constantly go to school to remain up to speed on the latest technology, etc. Knowledge does not come cheap, as anyone with an upper level education can attest. I digress; ask the dealership exactly how they reached this conclusion, as Ron suggested, then report back here.
One other question: After the burp of the air bubble, did you drive it for a while and replicate the problem? I cannot tell by the posts that you did, and I wondered if the problem had the same frequency or had diminished slightly. In addition, head gaskets can sometimes “open up” at temperature given that the thermal coefficients are at work, so the somewhat random nature of this fail may point to that as the cause. I guess I am a little su****ious of a head failure without removing it from the car and checking the deck for flatness, etc. They may have witnessed a hairline crack somewhere though that was seeping coolant which would call for a replacement. This is unknown at this time. I believe you should get more informed and ask more questions and trust your power of observation a little more before you commit a bunch of money with an engine swap. This may be repairable with less funds than you believe with the correct assessment.
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I will call them as soon as I get to my office. I did not drive the car after doing the open air bleeding. I figured nothing really happened so I just parked it.
If the car only is randomly doing this, would I be able to drive the car throughout the winter? I'm thinking that if it is cold (NY) the car shouldn't overheat until next spring/summer...at least I could get some use out of it. what do you think?
If the car only is randomly doing this, would I be able to drive the car throughout the winter? I'm thinking that if it is cold (NY) the car shouldn't overheat until next spring/summer...at least I could get some use out of it. what do you think?
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No, overheating is independent of outside ambient air temperature except to a small degree. The coolant temperature is indicative of what is happening within the engine and the outside temp has very little to do with that. Sorry. Getting it fixed properly and nailing down the cause is the only way to peace of mind and reliance on your vehicle again.
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Ok,
The technician said that he ran a test on the car that checks all the seals and it was apparent that the car was running without ANY anti-freeze for a period of time (news to me). The insides warped and 90% of these cases need a new head. He also said that the dipstick was welded to the car (again, news to me).
His advice, get rid of it.
The technician said that he ran a test on the car that checks all the seals and it was apparent that the car was running without ANY anti-freeze for a period of time (news to me). The insides warped and 90% of these cases need a new head. He also said that the dipstick was welded to the car (again, news to me).
His advice, get rid of it.
