Coolant ingestion

1986 Accord, 225,000 miles.

Left home a week ago, all seemed normal. After a couple of miles, I noted
no heat and temp gage still on Cold. Then I noticed white smoke in exhaust
behind me. I stopped and refilled radiator and drove 4-5 miles with white
smoke the whole way.

Pulled the plugs and cranked it over and water was spraying out #4 spark
plug hole. Drained radiator and checked compression.
#1 150 psi
#2 140 psi
#3 170 psi
#4 150 psi

I'm guessing that the head gasket is blown, but if the head gasket is
leaking that much coolant, would I still be getting 150 psi pressure on that
cylinder? Any other diagnosis for these symptoms?

With the age and mileage on this car, I don't want to spend much. I was
planning on pulling the head, replace head gasket, timing belt, and water
pump and hope I get another couple of years out of it.


TIA

John

 

definitely gasket. compression tests are relatively rapid so no slow
leakage will show.

 

definitely gasket. compression tests are relatively rapid so no slow
leakage will show.

 

Definitely head gasket; I've never seen such clear-cut symptoms as you have
collected. Good job.

Your plan is sound, with the addition of having the head checked for warp
and planed if out of tolerance. If the car were a decade older I'd suggest a
JDM engine. If you're doing the work yourself I'd say you're on track.

Mike

 

Definitely head gasket; I've never seen such clear-cut symptoms as you have
collected. Good job.

Your plan is sound, with the addition of having the head checked for warp
and planed if out of tolerance. If the car were a decade older I'd suggest a
JDM engine. If you're doing the work yourself I'd say you're on track.

Mike

 

For a head gasket replacement would you recommend Honda OEM or is there
something that’ll last longer? Let’s assume we’re keeping the car for
the next 10 years.

 

OEM

 

cool, thanks. :thumbsup: