Matt Mills wrote:
>
> Michael Pardee wrote:
> > "Matt Mills" <mattjmills@gmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:e3c3pe$f0c$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
> >> Hi, I have a Honda Civic 1989 Dual Carb that is leaking terribly around
> >> the Join between the black head cover and the engine so I am assuming I
> >> need a new head gasket (correct me please if I am wrong). This leaking
> >> oil is then burning up on the hot engine and manifold and smoking and
> >> causing bad smells. How easy is it for a newbie such as myself to replace
> >> the head gasket? Also, the grey plastic cover on the right of the engine
> >> would be the cover for the cambelt? If so, why do I get a sort of hissing
> >> sound from that side of the engine especially when idling? I probably
> >> need to get the cambelt changed also soon as my car has done 189,000kms.
> >>
> >> Any help would be appreciated on this subject
> >>
> >> Thanks
> >>
> >> Matt
> >
> > If I understand your description correctly, what you are describing is a
> > leak around your valve cover, which is not unusual. That's a whole lot
> > easier to change than a head gasket, which is not a job for a beginner!
> >
> > OTOH, you mention the cambelt (timing belt) has 189K km. It may also be 17
> > years old. It is definitely time to change that belt and if the belt is
> > truly the original it is way overdue. DON'T PUT THAT OFF! If the timing belt
> > fails there is a serious risk of catastrophic damage to the engine. This is
> > not a newbie job, either, although not as expensive as a head gasket to have
> > done. It is very advisable to have the water pump replaced at the same time,
> > as the belt replacement includes 90% of the water pump labor and a failed
> > pump can destroy the belt... and quite possibly your engine.
> >
> > When you have the timing belt replaced, point out the leakage. Replacing
> > that gasket is a part of the timing belt change.
> >
> > Mike
> >
> >
>
> The timing belt has been changed at least once in the cars life. ( I
> cannot read the mileage on the sticker though. I cannot afford to do
> that at the moment, so on the weekend I bought a rocker cover gasket and
> took the cover off the engine and replaced that as well as the
> air-filter which probably hasn't been changed in 40,000kms. I noticed
> that there was a thick layer of congealed/carbonised oil inside the
> rocker cover, is this normal/unusual/a concern?
>
> Honda parts aren't cheap here and seeing as this car cost me about
> US$300 2 years ago I am reluctant to spend too much money. This week I
> will take the car down to the local wash world and clean as much of the
> oil off the bottom of the engine as possible so I can see if it is
> leaking anywhere else.
>
> Matt


As Michael pointed out, the timing belt may still be a concern if one
assumes that the belt should be changed every 60K (miles). It might be
that the interval was increased for by 1989 but 60K is typical for older Hondas.

You need to assess what the car is worth as transportation. Is it worth
fixing properly or would it be better to buy a newer vehicle? Is it
worth the risk of major repairs vs. a relatively lower cost routine
maintenance action? Only you can make that decision.

JT

 

Grumpy AuContraire wrote:
>
> Matt Mills wrote:
>> Michael Pardee wrote:
>>> "Matt Mills" <mattjmills@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:e3c3pe$f0c$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>>>> Hi, I have a Honda Civic 1989 Dual Carb that is leaking terribly around
>>>> the Join between the black head cover and the engine so I am assuming I
>>>> need a new head gasket (correct me please if I am wrong). This leaking
>>>> oil is then burning up on the hot engine and manifold and smoking and
>>>> causing bad smells. How easy is it for a newbie such as myself to replace
>>>> the head gasket? Also, the grey plastic cover on the right of the engine
>>>> would be the cover for the cambelt? If so, why do I get a sort of hissing
>>>> sound from that side of the engine especially when idling? I probably
>>>> need to get the cambelt changed also soon as my car has done 189,000kms.
>>>>
>>>> Any help would be appreciated on this subject
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>> Matt
>>> If I understand your description correctly, what you are describing is a
>>> leak around your valve cover, which is not unusual. That's a whole lot
>>> easier to change than a head gasket, which is not a job for a beginner!
>>>
>>> OTOH, you mention the cambelt (timing belt) has 189K km. It may also be 17
>>> years old. It is definitely time to change that belt and if the belt is
>>> truly the original it is way overdue. DON'T PUT THAT OFF! If the timing belt
>>> fails there is a serious risk of catastrophic damage to the engine. This is
>>> not a newbie job, either, although not as expensive as a head gasket to have
>>> done. It is very advisable to have the water pump replaced at the same time,
>>> as the belt replacement includes 90% of the water pump labor and a failed
>>> pump can destroy the belt... and quite possibly your engine.
>>>
>>> When you have the timing belt replaced, point out the leakage. Replacing
>>> that gasket is a part of the timing belt change.
>>>
>>> Mike
>>>
>>>
>> The timing belt has been changed at least once in the cars life. ( I
>> cannot read the mileage on the sticker though. I cannot afford to do
>> that at the moment, so on the weekend I bought a rocker cover gasket and
>> took the cover off the engine and replaced that as well as the
>> air-filter which probably hasn't been changed in 40,000kms. I noticed
>> that there was a thick layer of congealed/carbonised oil inside the
>> rocker cover, is this normal/unusual/a concern?
>>
>> Honda parts aren't cheap here and seeing as this car cost me about
>> US$300 2 years ago I am reluctant to spend too much money. This week I
>> will take the car down to the local wash world and clean as much of the
>> oil off the bottom of the engine as possible so I can see if it is
>> leaking anywhere else.
>>
>> Matt
>
>
> As Michael pointed out, the timing belt may still be a concern if one
> assumes that the belt should be changed every 60K (miles). It might be
> that the interval was increased for by 1989 but 60K is typical for older Hondas.
>
> You need to assess what the car is worth as transportation. Is it worth
> fixing properly or would it be better to buy a newer vehicle? Is it
> worth the risk of major repairs vs. a relatively lower cost routine
> maintenance action? Only you can make that decision.
>
> JT


This car has done 189,000 kms (not miles - we stopped using imperial
measurements back in the 70s) so it has not reached the second 60K
(miles) that you keep writing.

>"Is it worth
> fixing properly or would it be better to buy a newer vehicle? Is it
> worth the risk of major repairs vs. a relatively lower cost routine
> maintenance action?"

On all those question, the answer would be yes if I could afford any of
the repairs but my finances do not cover much more than the petrol,
luckily I live only 10 minutes from work.

Thanks for your advice.

Matt

 

Grumpy AuContraire wrote:
>
> Matt Mills wrote:
>> Michael Pardee wrote:
>>> "Matt Mills" <mattjmills@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:e3c3pe$f0c$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>>>> Hi, I have a Honda Civic 1989 Dual Carb that is leaking terribly around
>>>> the Join between the black head cover and the engine so I am assuming I
>>>> need a new head gasket (correct me please if I am wrong). This leaking
>>>> oil is then burning up on the hot engine and manifold and smoking and
>>>> causing bad smells. How easy is it for a newbie such as myself to replace
>>>> the head gasket? Also, the grey plastic cover on the right of the engine
>>>> would be the cover for the cambelt? If so, why do I get a sort of hissing
>>>> sound from that side of the engine especially when idling? I probably
>>>> need to get the cambelt changed also soon as my car has done 189,000kms.
>>>>
>>>> Any help would be appreciated on this subject
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>> Matt
>>> If I understand your description correctly, what you are describing is a
>>> leak around your valve cover, which is not unusual. That's a whole lot
>>> easier to change than a head gasket, which is not a job for a beginner!
>>>
>>> OTOH, you mention the cambelt (timing belt) has 189K km. It may also be 17
>>> years old. It is definitely time to change that belt and if the belt is
>>> truly the original it is way overdue. DON'T PUT THAT OFF! If the timing belt
>>> fails there is a serious risk of catastrophic damage to the engine. This is
>>> not a newbie job, either, although not as expensive as a head gasket to have
>>> done. It is very advisable to have the water pump replaced at the same time,
>>> as the belt replacement includes 90% of the water pump labor and a failed
>>> pump can destroy the belt... and quite possibly your engine.
>>>
>>> When you have the timing belt replaced, point out the leakage. Replacing
>>> that gasket is a part of the timing belt change.
>>>
>>> Mike
>>>
>>>
>> The timing belt has been changed at least once in the cars life. ( I
>> cannot read the mileage on the sticker though. I cannot afford to do
>> that at the moment, so on the weekend I bought a rocker cover gasket and
>> took the cover off the engine and replaced that as well as the
>> air-filter which probably hasn't been changed in 40,000kms. I noticed
>> that there was a thick layer of congealed/carbonised oil inside the
>> rocker cover, is this normal/unusual/a concern?
>>
>> Honda parts aren't cheap here and seeing as this car cost me about
>> US$300 2 years ago I am reluctant to spend too much money. This week I
>> will take the car down to the local wash world and clean as much of the
>> oil off the bottom of the engine as possible so I can see if it is
>> leaking anywhere else.
>>
>> Matt
>
>
> As Michael pointed out, the timing belt may still be a concern if one
> assumes that the belt should be changed every 60K (miles). It might be
> that the interval was increased for by 1989 but 60K is typical for older Hondas.
>
> You need to assess what the car is worth as transportation. Is it worth
> fixing properly or would it be better to buy a newer vehicle? Is it
> worth the risk of major repairs vs. a relatively lower cost routine
> maintenance action? Only you can make that decision.
>
> JT


This car has done 189,000 kms (not miles - we stopped using imperial
measurements back in the 70s) so it has not reached the second 60K
(miles) that you keep writing.

>"Is it worth
> fixing properly or would it be better to buy a newer vehicle? Is it
> worth the risk of major repairs vs. a relatively lower cost routine
> maintenance action?"

On all those question, the answer would be yes if I could afford any of
the repairs but my finances do not cover much more than the petrol,
luckily I live only 10 minutes from work.

Thanks for your advice.

Matt

 

Grumpy AuContraire wrote:
>
> Matt Mills wrote:
>> Michael Pardee wrote:
>>> "Matt Mills" <mattjmills@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:e3c3pe$f0c$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>>>> Hi, I have a Honda Civic 1989 Dual Carb that is leaking terribly around
>>>> the Join between the black head cover and the engine so I am assuming I
>>>> need a new head gasket (correct me please if I am wrong). This leaking
>>>> oil is then burning up on the hot engine and manifold and smoking and
>>>> causing bad smells. How easy is it for a newbie such as myself to replace
>>>> the head gasket? Also, the grey plastic cover on the right of the engine
>>>> would be the cover for the cambelt? If so, why do I get a sort of hissing
>>>> sound from that side of the engine especially when idling? I probably
>>>> need to get the cambelt changed also soon as my car has done 189,000kms.
>>>>
>>>> Any help would be appreciated on this subject
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>> Matt
>>> If I understand your description correctly, what you are describing is a
>>> leak around your valve cover, which is not unusual. That's a whole lot
>>> easier to change than a head gasket, which is not a job for a beginner!
>>>
>>> OTOH, you mention the cambelt (timing belt) has 189K km. It may also be 17
>>> years old. It is definitely time to change that belt and if the belt is
>>> truly the original it is way overdue. DON'T PUT THAT OFF! If the timing belt
>>> fails there is a serious risk of catastrophic damage to the engine. This is
>>> not a newbie job, either, although not as expensive as a head gasket to have
>>> done. It is very advisable to have the water pump replaced at the same time,
>>> as the belt replacement includes 90% of the water pump labor and a failed
>>> pump can destroy the belt... and quite possibly your engine.
>>>
>>> When you have the timing belt replaced, point out the leakage. Replacing
>>> that gasket is a part of the timing belt change.
>>>
>>> Mike
>>>
>>>
>> The timing belt has been changed at least once in the cars life. ( I
>> cannot read the mileage on the sticker though. I cannot afford to do
>> that at the moment, so on the weekend I bought a rocker cover gasket and
>> took the cover off the engine and replaced that as well as the
>> air-filter which probably hasn't been changed in 40,000kms. I noticed
>> that there was a thick layer of congealed/carbonised oil inside the
>> rocker cover, is this normal/unusual/a concern?
>>
>> Honda parts aren't cheap here and seeing as this car cost me about
>> US$300 2 years ago I am reluctant to spend too much money. This week I
>> will take the car down to the local wash world and clean as much of the
>> oil off the bottom of the engine as possible so I can see if it is
>> leaking anywhere else.
>>
>> Matt
>
>
> As Michael pointed out, the timing belt may still be a concern if one
> assumes that the belt should be changed every 60K (miles). It might be
> that the interval was increased for by 1989 but 60K is typical for older Hondas.
>
> You need to assess what the car is worth as transportation. Is it worth
> fixing properly or would it be better to buy a newer vehicle? Is it
> worth the risk of major repairs vs. a relatively lower cost routine
> maintenance action? Only you can make that decision.
>
> JT


This car has done 189,000 kms (not miles - we stopped using imperial
measurements back in the 70s) so it has not reached the second 60K
(miles) that you keep writing.

>"Is it worth
> fixing properly or would it be better to buy a newer vehicle? Is it
> worth the risk of major repairs vs. a relatively lower cost routine
> maintenance action?"

On all those question, the answer would be yes if I could afford any of
the repairs but my finances do not cover much more than the petrol,
luckily I live only 10 minutes from work.

Thanks for your advice.

Matt