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

[California98Civic]

I blanked another wheel for a "smooth" MINI seven hole mod. Aerohead remarked once in a thread that the issue with these wheels is largely the higher pressure air working its way through the wheel to the lower pressure area behind the wheel. So blanking, even though not smooth like a disc, might provide a substantial benefit. I wanna see, if I can.



I think the foil & weed barrier may not hold long. If it does not, I will look for another method, maybe make a mold of the rim inside for a fiberglass piece?

To reinforce the foil, I sprayed four layers of clear plastidip onto it. Should keep water and dust/grime out of the tape seams. I might do that on the front, too, for same purposes.

Also, I arranged my Ultragauge on the flat instrument panel I installed where the drink holder used to be. It is flush with the panel so I can press the face of the gauge and activate the buttons on the back... Here you see it in mid screen switch as I depress the face of the gauge.

[California98Civic]

With nearly 260,000 miles on the OEM head gasket from 1998, I suspect a failure has been slowly growing more severe for about a year or more. But I want to be sure. So, I decided to do and document three tests for the head gasket failure I think has happened: (1) for oil in coolant, (2) for exhaust gas in coolant, and (3) for white smoke from the tailpipe.

TEST 1: oil in coolant

Took this blob off the bootom of the radiator cap


Looking into the overflow reservoir


New unused coolant (bright yellowy green)


Used coolant from my reservoir (milky-pale green)


Green coolant droplets sticking to oil on reservoir tube


TEST 2: exhaust gas in coolant

Fresh unused block testing fluid is blue


If combustion gasses are present, it turns yellow


TEST 3: white smoke from tail pipe

Warmed up into the 180s/190s, revving


Spitting water, lol


CONCLUSION: SURPRISE, HEAD GASKET LEAK. BUT NOW I REALLY KNOW. TEST, DON'T GUESS.

P.S. Good news is my wife's 2010 Forester shows no exhaust gas in the coolant at 115,000 miles.

[Xist]

I hope everything else checks out. When are you replacing the gasket?

It should be easier on the Civic than my Forester. Good luck!

[California98Civic]

I have been thinking I had better prioritize this one or risk losing my engine to a bigger failure. I think it is progressive. Bummer. Sooner, rather than later, in days/weeks, not months, is the answer to when.

A Forester would be a pain, with the two caskets, on horizontal heads low on the engine. This Civic should be relatively easy.

[Xist]

Just changing the spark plugs on a Forester is time-consuming.

[hayden55]

Be brave big dude! The reason why a lot of people get into modding 90s civics is because they are easy. Head gaslets are common failures on these cars with high mileage and typically your joe blow can replacing a tractoring civics head gasket and get it running again. Word of advice on gaskets and seals: they are cheap... buy Honda. If you wwanna save 10 bucks you risk all the labor to do it again. Dont buy anything but honda when it comes to alternators and gaskets from my pita experience.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by hayden55

Be brave big dude! The reason why a lot of people get into modding 90s civics is because they are easy. Head gaslets are common failures on these cars with high mileage ... word of advice on gaskets and seals: they are cheap... buy Honda....

Received the head gasket from Honda dealer last night. Hopefully get to start this job Sunday.



Got the P0420 DTC on the freeway this morning (secondary O2 sensor). Cleared it after reading it and CEL has stayed off. Maybe that is burnt oil deposits messing with the sensor momentarily? When it happened I was very atypically steady-cruising at about 55 mph behind a camper, instead of P&G and EOC.

Calibration:

Because I have new 15" 175/70s replacing my 13" 175/70s I need to recalibrate speedo and Odo. Not finalized yet but it looks like about a 9% swing deep into undercount territory. I am using Google maps, a free GPS app on my tablet, and two police speed-check radar displays on the side of two area streets.

[California98Civic]

Car is off the road again. Been servicing the transmission but most importantly, I have begun the head gasket too. Gotta get 'er done soonish but be patient enough to do the new process correctly. Right now, waiting for penetrant to loosen intake manifold bolts.

Transmission service pro-tip: I have been using a cleaner in the oil. The process has revealed to me that it had too much oil in it and that was largely responsible for my shifting stiffness. I had initially filled the trans the way dudes on honda-tech recommend: get to level ground and fill until it drips out the filler hole. But that is too much, in my case at least. I got foamy tan-colored oil out of the top of the transmission when I opened the filler hole. So, the lesson is that the FSM says it takes 1.9 liters, folks: measure it precisely and benefit immensely.

[California98Civic]

Rain and house repairs claiming what project time I have but I need my car badly so I went out just now to fix an error and get the head off finally. Machinist also wants extra $$ if I have him remove the camshaft before testing and resurfacing for flatness, so more new territory. But I cannot worry about that 'cause I am stuck again, anyway.

Here is the stuck area:


I cut the heater hose on left when nothing could budge it after 20 years and 260,000 miles. Used my grandfather in-law's old butchering saw (made in Hollywood!). He was owned a little grocery once upon a time:



Thx Pop-pop!

But I am stuck with this one: what is it and what besides penetrant can I used to get it loose? Honda FSM not helpful.



Lastly, when I took out the plugs there was an oily sludge on #4 (on the left) and a sweeter oily smell in cylinder #4. There was also a smell of gasoline in cylinder #2. Blown head gasket alright. Seems like oil and coolant mixing and even causing maybe minor misfiring. Honestly, the car was still running and idling and not overheating, so I hope I got to this early enough to save the block and head.



DUNNO WHY PICS KEEP GETTING ROTATED! LOL

[freebeard]

Oil pressure/temperature? Where do the wires go?

Wrap it with something for heat insulation and then heat the block locally with a propane torch?