Blown headgasket?
26-Jun-2003, 12:41 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Your sisters bedroom
Posts: 30,142
Blown headgasket?
I noticed since I got the car that ontop of the b16 code that there is oil coming out. Its not POURING but it comes out nicely. Would this be a blown headgasket? It looks like there is a seal there and it is coming out of there......
Any suggestions ? Could this cause a loss of power ? :cry:
Any suggestions ? Could this cause a loss of power ? :cry:
26-Jun-2003, 09:27 AM
#3
Generally the valve cover gasket will be at fault like happy said. However, I have seen instances where the head gasket leaks oil like a motherf..er. Though the seal around the combustion chamber may be fine and hence you are not losing power, the oil can get out. This is the case with most Neons that leak oil...their head gasket is starting to go, and the owner doesn't wanna hang onto it long enough for the real problems to start. 2 rice 4 u just do a valve lash adjustment and replace the valve cover gasket, clean your engine with degreaser and brake cleaner, use Permatex ultra gray in the corners of the cam end journals.... if the oil leak persists, then it's your head gasket, in which case you should have someone check the deck for straightness, and same with the head. Use a Honda OEM head gasket when replacing. It's a lot of work, and it's intimidating, but really, it's no different than a timing belt change, except for a few more bolts (head bolts) 
Make sure you get those as well from Honda... also make sure you clean the head bolt threads out using the appropriate tap. This would be a good time to get Leitner to P&P your head too, since it's off the car. FYI, oil between the head and the block is EXACTLY what neons do before the head gasket goes, and most of time time the block needs to be decked. They usually do it right at the driver's side back of the engine.... if you doubt me, go take a look at 5 used neons on the lot, I guarantee 3 of them will look like someone threw up oil on the tranny and the back of the block.
Make sure you get those as well from Honda... also make sure you clean the head bolt threads out using the appropriate tap. This would be a good time to get Leitner to P&P your head too, since it's off the car. FYI, oil between the head and the block is EXACTLY what neons do before the head gasket goes, and most of time time the block needs to be decked. They usually do it right at the driver's side back of the engine.... if you doubt me, go take a look at 5 used neons on the lot, I guarantee 3 of them will look like someone threw up oil on the tranny and the back of the block.
26-Jun-2003, 12:32 PM
#5
The valve cover gasket is around $20 anywhere you go. If it is the head gasket and not the valve cover gasket, then you are looking at more like $500-600 for a proper job with all the right parts. There is a lot of **** that gets replaced... timing belt, water pump, gaskets galore, bolts, plus machining time... it adds up right quick. I know cuz I just did a Neon one.
Be very distinct in where the oil is coming from; better yet, post me a picture close up!! I know at least one B16 that leaks from the front pass side at the head gasket.
Be very distinct in where the oil is coming from; better yet, post me a picture close up!! I know at least one B16 that leaks from the front pass side at the head gasket.
26-Jun-2003, 05:09 PM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Honda sells a kit which includes the valve cover gasket, spark plug seals, and grommets for all the nuts that hold the cover down.for the B16A it's $70+tax. don't use aftermarket gaskets.
you might wanna change other little things while you're at it.
very easy to do. did one for a friend over the weekend. he's an idiot.
you might wanna change other little things while you're at it.
very easy to do. did one for a friend over the weekend. he's an idiot.
26-Jun-2003, 05:19 PM
#10
Originally posted by Jugglez
Honda sells a kit which includes the valve cover gasket, spark plug seals, and grommets for all the nuts that hold the cover down.for the B16A it's $70+tax. don't use aftermarket gaskets.
you might wanna change other little things while you're at it.
very easy to do. did one for a friend over the weekend. he's an idiot.
Honda sells a kit which includes the valve cover gasket, spark plug seals, and grommets for all the nuts that hold the cover down.for the B16A it's $70+tax. don't use aftermarket gaskets.
you might wanna change other little things while you're at it.
very easy to do. did one for a friend over the weekend. he's an idiot.
I still think it COULD be the head gasket... but really I'd have to see it.
26-Jun-2003, 05:23 PM
#11
-- site donator --
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: THE OAK
Posts: 10,423
Originally posted by bbarbulo
Oh, you did BOND007's gasket?
I still think it COULD be the head gasket... but really I'd have to see it.
Oh, you did BOND007's gasket?
I still think it COULD be the head gasket... but really I'd have to see it.
Jackass
26-Jun-2003, 05:32 PM
#13
Originally posted by BOND007
No he did my spark plugs ..... He did your head gasket ...
Jackass
No he did my spark plugs ..... He did your head gasket ...
Jackass
no one did my head gasket... mine is a virgin
BOND007.....
still luv ya
26-Jun-2003, 06:37 PM
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: No fixed address
Posts: 2,990
Yo Steve, just some FYI - I know it is the valve cover gasket cause I had Joe from Altech confirm just before selling the car. I was just going to leave it for a few months until I replaced the timing belt but...you know the rest of the story...sold the car an all.
$20 is about the cost everywhere. I really haven't had any problems with the other seals but as Juggz said, you may just want to do them all dependant on your budget. As for gaskets, go Hondo or go home.
$20 is about the cost everywhere. I really haven't had any problems with the other seals but as Juggz said, you may just want to do them all dependant on your budget. As for gaskets, go Hondo or go home.
26-Jun-2003, 08:26 PM
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Your sisters bedroom
Posts: 30,142
Originally posted by Happy???
Yo Steve, just some FYI - I know it is the valve cover gasket cause I had Joe from Altech confirm just before selling the car. I was just going to leave it for a few months until I replaced the timing belt but...you know the rest of the story...sold the car an all.
$20 is about the cost everywhere. I really haven't had any problems with the other seals but as Juggz said, you may just want to do them all dependant on your budget. As for gaskets, go Hondo or go home.
Yo Steve, just some FYI - I know it is the valve cover gasket cause I had Joe from Altech confirm just before selling the car. I was just going to leave it for a few months until I replaced the timing belt but...you know the rest of the story...sold the car an all.
$20 is about the cost everywhere. I really haven't had any problems with the other seals but as Juggz said, you may just want to do them all dependant on your budget. As for gaskets, go Hondo or go home.
Ok, so I should go to "Hondo" and get a b16a valve cover seal? Also, what other things should I replace that you were going to replace ? I want this car to be running mint. The fuel, oil filters were changed as well with a new battery. The alarm can stay on over night now :d Also, how hard is it to change a valve cover seal ? Is there any info or any pictures on how to do it ? I will like to do it myself because it doesn't seem too hard and I want some practice and experience. And oh yeah, my future mods that I will be doing in the next year,month, all depends (jugglez knows why) are an edlebrock intake manifold, DC sports headers, and crane cams. Will this be sufficient ?
27-Jun-2003, 09:30 AM
#18
Honda seals are the best! Use permatex ultra gray for corners. Be VERY VERY careful NOT TO BREAK off the cover bolts... very easy to do. Get a good little torque wrench and double and triple check the torque settings before you start torquing. Remember, it's INCH POUNDS in the case of valve cover bolts. Almost just hand tight.
27-Jun-2003, 09:31 AM
#19
Replace the distributor rotor and cap. That can never hurt
Look, the only reason the car may NOT be running mint is cuz the VAFC is not tuned right... go to a dyno, spend the $100+tuning and have it done. You'll be a lot happier. If you have the manifold, headers and cams done, then just wait for that and do the tuning then.
BTW, manifold is a good choice, though the B16 one is known to be quite good. Headers, I'd use Kamikaze (read endyn's site), and I'd use CTR cams.
just my preference.
Look, the only reason the car may NOT be running mint is cuz the VAFC is not tuned right... go to a dyno, spend the $100+tuning and have it done. You'll be a lot happier. If you have the manifold, headers and cams done, then just wait for that and do the tuning then.
BTW, manifold is a good choice, though the B16 one is known to be quite good. Headers, I'd use Kamikaze (read endyn's site), and I'd use CTR cams.
just my preference.
