Quote:
Originally Posted by darcane
I haven't had time to do anything with it, and I'm still driving it (shh, don't tell anyone). Actually, got farther on my last tank than ever before (624 miles). I suspect the headgasket has been slowly failing for quite some time, maybe since before I owned it. It really doesn't show many symptoms other than getting warm. With the digital gauge, I keep very close tabs on it and have just been adding coolant to compensate for the coolant displaced by the exhaust gases.
For now the manifold just seals itself up when it gets warm. My concern for it is mostly when I remove it and reinstall it that the crack will grow significantly and it will need to be replaced. I did figure out that the manifold is not cast, but a two-piece stamped steel part that is welded together.
Here's a decent pic I found online w/o the shroud:
There are aftermarket versions in the $300-400 range, that claim to be for both LX and HX. I still need to decide if I want to try welding of just replace. I figure I've actually got a decent chance that the weld will hold now that I've seen the construction.
I haven't torn it apart since I have to fix my replacement commuter: my wife's Mustang 'vert. It needs a fuel pump and steering rack and I'm really starting to hate working on it.
How handy are you with working on cars? Do you have a FSM? I picked up a used HX tranny for $100 because the input shaft bearing was fried (VERY common problem). A buddy of mine was training to be an ASE certified mechanic, so I had him do it, but I would have done it myself otherwise. I think you'd get the most benefit just from the tranny, especially if you P&G heavily. I wouldn't bother with the rest unless you found someone giving away the parts.
|
Wow. 624 miles. My best is 470ish.
The head gasket issue sucks. Especially since you really can't see it coming on the 7th gens. Mine is good for now. I am doing the timing belt this weekend and thought about replacing the head gasket, but decided that mine isn't showing symptoms. If it goes, I'll just tear it apart again!
If the manifold isn't cast, then I would definitely try to weld it. What's the worst that could happen, you need to replace it anyway??
I can turn a wrench. There isn't much on a car I can't/won't do. An alignment is about it, but I don't have a rack. I do have a lot of tools and a two car garage that both cars fit in, so I have the room as well. I also have a auto hobby shop on base that has a press, parts washer, air tools, etc. I am going tomorrow afternoon to put the Civic on a lift and break the crank pulley bolt loose with the crank tool and an impact wrench. Once I do, I will tighten it back down and drive the car home to actually perform the timing belt surgery.
I also have new axle seals on the way and just got new Moog ball joints and LCA bushings. My passenger side front LCA bushing is about toast. I am going to replace both front and rear with the ball joints, probably next weekend. I just replaced the sway bar links (not cheap for the Moog greasables...$80).
I am always on the lookout for a HX transmission on craigslist. I have the "can of marbles" going on right now in first gear. It isn't too bad, but I will continue to monitor. Worst case, I'll buy an HX trans for a replacement and then sell mine. But, I am putting new bearings in the HX transmission before I install it. That would also be the time I install a new clutch, since everything is apart.
If I change the transmission, will the speedometer stay the same??