Black & Green modding thread (1998 Civic DX Coupe base)

[California98Civic]

I guess it is. Are there other indicators I should be seeking? I'm doing the gasket partly because I'm going in to do the timing belt 90K mile replacement. So it seems like a convenient time.

[j12piprius]

I don't know. I am curious because they didn't check mine.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by johnlvs2run

I don't know. I am curious because they didn't check mine.

I went back to the mantra of "test don't guess" and got a block tester to test for exhaust gasses in my coolant. Warmed the engine running some necessary errands, then let it sit in the driveway until the fan turned on automatically twice. Drained enough coolant with a dropper to prevent contaminating coolant from getting into the tester. Pumped the hand pump gently maybe 7 or 10 times, watching the bubbles run through the filter thing. Here are the results:



Blue fluid means no exhaust gasses present. My head gasket is fine.

If the head gasket were leaking, exhaust gasses would turn this blue fluid yellow. There is no head gasket leak. For the cost of $7 in testing, I saved maybe $40 on the replacement head gasket. And of course the labor. And the risk of messing up the factory job, which is apparently still very good.

EDIT: And thanks johnluvstorun for the question that made me explore whether my head gasket conclusion was warranted. It was not. Hahaha! "Test, don't guess."

[j12piprius]

Thanks much for the feedback. I'm glad your head gasket is okay!

I asked the mechanic again, who said everything looked clean and there was no indication of any head gasket issues.

Where did you get a tester kit for $7?

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by johnlvs2run

Where did you get a tester kit for $7?

O'Reilley Auto Parts. The tester itself is rental and they give you back your full $29 when you return it. The fluid to go into the tester you have to buy and it cost me $7. Totally worth it.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

If the head gasket were leaking, exhaust gasses would turn this blue fluid yellow. There is no head gasket leak. For the cost of $7 in testing, I saved maybe $100 on the replacement head gasket. And of course the labor. And the risk of messing up the factory job, which is apparently still very good.

For reference, here's what a failed test looks like:


The test ran me only $35 from Napa which came with plenty of fluid if you prefer to buy than rent one.

[California98Civic]

"Maintain before mod"

If I will ever have a full undertray (bellypan) I need to resolve persistent fluid leaks in the engine compartment.

So today I replaced the two valve cover bolt grommets that have been leaking. They visibly leaked a little oil regularly, but they might have been leaking a lot when the engine got really hot on the 100-150 mile trips the car sometimes does.

1. Here is one of the OEM bolt/grommet/washer combos:

Notice there is a bump on the bolt neck. It will prevent removing the grommet. So you have to cut the grommet with shears:

2. The grommets, cut, and the washer, which need not be cut, and the bolts:

The slightly tricky part is installing the new grommet.

3. To install the new grommet, you first clean the bolt. Then lubricate the it and its threads. Finally, you need a method to push the grommet past the bulbous section of the bolt. I decided to use a 3/4 socket to contact the grommet, and a 3/8 deep socket as a head to gently hammer on until the grommet slipped into place. Was amazingly easy, but the FSM was not helpful on this point. A pic of the results and the stuff I used:


4. I then MADE A MISTAKE that I wouldn't mind some advice on. The factory service manual has torque specs for the bolt in the valve cover. I tried to meet those and over tightened one of the two bolts, definitely compromising the threads, but apparently not so badly to produce an oil leak when I took the car for a long test drive to see if it would leak. Here it is in place:


I imagine I'll probably have a heli-coil adventure in my future sometime, but do you think I can leave it alone for now? I can't loosen it with my fingers and it has no visible play. Just watch for leaking? Ugh. I tightened the other bolt with a simple ratchet and it seated perfectly. Any thoughts?

Also:
I resolved the coolant leak a few days ago simply by remaking a seal on the upper rad hose. No thermostat needed, apparently. Also bled the coolant. Old stuff on the left, new on the right (yikes):

[j12piprius]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

O'Reilley Auto Parts. The tester itself is rental and they give you back your full $29 when you return it. The fluid to go into the tester you have to buy and it cost me $7. Totally worth it.

I used the block tester Monday, the fluid stayed blue and there's plenty for next time.

[California98Civic]

After replacing (1) the oil drain plug washer I suspected of leaking when hot, (2) valve cover grommets that I could see leaked when hot, and (3) a leaking coolant seal on the engine block, I now have noticeably less fluid dripping from the engine bay. I still need to investigate the distributor seal and the oil pan seal. But I couldn't wait any longer and so I started the planned undertray at the diffuser end.

Step one is a little Cardboard Aided Design. I put the car on blocks and crawled under with big sections of cardboard I have saved. Rear diffuser template:



At the bottom of the pic is the little tongue that will bolt into existing bolt holes on the rear suspension (non moving parts) and the cuts to accommodate the tires and moving suspension parts. The top of the picture will be the rear bumper, but I have not shaped that part yet so it's still just square.

You can also see three of the four aluminum rails I'll use for the frame when the time comes.

I spent some time remaking my side skirts today, adding drill points and replacing screws that had come out somewhere on the road. I have learned how important it is to use the right hardware for attachments like this, for safety and for the sake of only doing the job once.

[jedi_sol]

Good to see you're finally getting around to building your undertray.

Can't wait to see the finished product!