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California98Civic · 03-25-2018, 05:47 PM

Asking for pro-tips and pointers...

"Black and Green" has engine oil in its coolant reserve tank. It has been a minor phenomenon for a loooong time, but in the last year it seems to have become more significant. So, I am planning to replace my head gasket during my daughter's spring break.

This will be the first time I will ever have done this job.

I understand that when the head gasket fails, generally oil escapes into the coolant and not the other way around because the oil is under higher pressure.

I have not noticed white smoke from the tailpipe, indicating coolant in the combustion mix, but I also have not seriously checked (and can't right now).

How likely is it that I also have coolant in the engine? How would that happen and how might I check? And how should I check for damage when I get into the head?

Thx

03-25-2018, 05:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
California98Civic Cyborg ECU Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Coastal Southern California Posts: 6,299 Black and Green - '98 Honda Civic DX Coupe Team Honda 90 day: 66.42 mpg (US) Black and Red - '00 Nashbar Custom built eBike 90 day: 3671.43 mpg (US) Thanks: 2,373 Thanked 2,174 Times in 1,470 Posts	Engine oil in coolant Asking for pro-tips and pointers... "Black and Green" has engine oil in its coolant reserve tank. It has been a minor phenomenon for a loooong time, but in the last year it seems to have become more significant. So, I am planning to replace my head gasket during my daughter's spring break. This will be the first time I will ever have done this job. I understand that when the head gasket fails, generally oil escapes into the coolant and not the other way around because the oil is under higher pressure. I have not noticed white smoke from the tailpipe, indicating coolant in the combustion mix, but I also have not seriously checked (and can't right now). How likely is it that I also have coolant in the engine? How would that happen and how might I check? And how should I check for damage when I get into the head? Thx __________________ See my car's mod & maintenance thread and my electric bicycle's thread for ongoing projects. I will rebuild Black and Green over decades as parts die, until it becomes a different car of roughly the same shape and color. My minimum fuel economy goal is 55 mpg while averaging posted speed limits. I generally top 60 mpg. See also my Honda manual transmission specs thread.