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Blown head gasket


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Jammin6996
New User

Jul 20, 2023, 1:16 PM

Post #1 of 7 (1461 views)
Blown head gasket Sign In

2004
Honda
Civic Hybrid
1.3L
250k Miles

Yesterday, my coolant reservoir overfilled with what appears to be mostly oil. I assume the head gasket is blown and tbh it's not worth fixing, I just need to buy some time to get a new vehicle.
Would it be a good idea to drain the oil and coolant and refill? Or should I just run it as is until it seizes or catches fire?
Thank you in advance for your help and advice!


(This post was edited by Jammin6996 on Jul 20, 2023, 1:17 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 20, 2023, 1:35 PM

Post #2 of 7 (1451 views)
Re: Blown head gasket Sign In

Do all checks for the blown gasket that's pretty sure about now. Worse is oil in coolant will swell up hoses if going for it soap and water it clean NOW maybe prevent the next one or being doing all hoses and water pump now (has a rubber gasket.)

If engine is worth a damn send head out for a check or o fixing this if not would just be faking it,

Tom



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 20, 2023, 2:26 PM

Post #3 of 7 (1445 views)
Re: Blown head gasket Sign In

Don't automatically assume it's a head gasket. It's very rare for a head gasket to mix coolant with oil. It would be more likely to be a cracked head.

If that oil has a red or orange tinge to it then it could be a broken trans cooler in the radiator.
Even if it is the radiator, the damage could be severe. It would be very difficult to get all the oil out of the cooling system and if any coolant at all got into the trans it will be trash.

That car has way too many miles to put a lot of money into.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Jammin6996
New User

Jul 20, 2023, 4:28 PM

Post #4 of 7 (1431 views)
Re: Blown head gasket Sign In

Thank you for the reply,
The bluebook value of the car is around $1500 - $2000. At this moment it needs a new exhaust. Catalytic converter and all, I'm on NY so it will be much more expensive. Plus now the oil in the coolant. Either a head gasket or cracked block, I still can't see it being worth fixing.

The coolant looks like pure oil at this moment. And is overflowing as soon as it gets any heat to it. As said the car is too old with too many miles, I plan on replacing it. Just hoping to be able to drive it as is, short distances to work and back only, for a month, maybe 2 max to get my finances straight, that way my next car can be a new one instead of another used one.

Do you think emptying the oil and coolant and replacing with new would buy me any extra time?


(This post was edited by Jammin6996 on Jul 20, 2023, 4:30 PM)


Jammin6996
New User

Jul 20, 2023, 4:33 PM

Post #5 of 7 (1428 views)
Re: Blown head gasket Sign In

I'm pretty certain fixing it would cost more then the car is worth at this point. I plan to buy a new car, just hoping to be able to drive it as is for a month, maybe 2 max.

The coolant looks like pure oil at this point, to drive it as is, do you think it would be better to drain both the oil and coolant and replace, or leave it as is, so far the car has not overheated yet, and I only need the car to get to work and back, 2 - 3 miles each way.

Thank you for the help and advice.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jul 20, 2023, 4:42 PM

Post #6 of 7 (1422 views)
Re: Blown head gasket Sign In

No, I wouldn't drive it even a little. The mud in your crankcase has no lubrication properties at all and will shortly spin a bearing and seize up the engine.

You can't get rid of it as it is as think as molasses and sticks to everything. New oil will turn to mud immediately and the cooling system is totally FUBAR.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Jammin6996
New User

Jul 20, 2023, 4:49 PM

Post #7 of 7 (1415 views)
Re: Blown head gasket Sign In


In Reply To
No, I wouldn't drive it even a little. The mud in your crankcase has no lubrication properties at all and will shortly spin a bearing and seize up the engine.

You can't get rid of it as it is as think as molasses and sticks to everything. New oil will turn to mud immediately and the cooling system is totally FUBAR.


Thank you. I guess off to the junkyard it goes.






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