I have a 1998 2.3 CL that is having engine problems. I have been told that the problem could be anything from blow heads to a completly bad engine. Most people are saying that it is blown heads but nothing I would trust 100% at this point. I have also been told that this is a common problem when it comes to this ear and model. I obviously know nothing about cars so any help would be appreciated. I live in Phoenix, AZ and I have a few quotes from people in the area however I haven't been able to afford it up to this point. I am starting a new job in early November and need my car to be back in working condition in order to get there. If anyone knows of anyone who can help please let me know. I am either looking for low-cost engine work or if need be a new engine for my lovely CL! Thanks a million and I hope to hear form you all soon!

C-Dub

 

maybee if u said what the car is doing, we could help a little better....

 

 

The car was overheating for a while prior to this so I replaced the radiator only to see it overheat again. The car will not start now and will not even turn over. Before it completly went out on me it took a while for it to start but it did after a minute or so of trying. Like I said before, I have been told that the heads are blown due to the overheating. That is all I have at this point. Hope it helps.

 

Yeap yeap, let us know what the symptons are....

Odds of it being a blown head gasket are unlikely. I'm going to have to guess this won't be too major of a problem. Probably gonna end up being his egr valve, or something little.

Let us know the miles on your car, how long have you had it, any services done to it, and so forward.

 

The car is a 1998, has about 86k miles on it and I have had it for the past 1.5 years. I have no idea about the service history as I bought it from a man who has since dissappeared.

 

Her.

Hello Corinne

 

hm, get a h22

 

If the car is over heating, you should check the radiator cap. The radiator cap is what holds the pressure in the cooling systems which allows for the boiling point to be raised. That could be "a" cause of over-heating.

If your coolant was bad, then that would cause electrocitice (not sure how to spell) to build up. If this was the case, then yes, the electricity built in the cooling system "can" destroy head gaskets, aluminum heads, and water pumps over a period of time. You do not check the "color" of the coolant to determine if it is bad. You have to have it checked with a "volt meter". If the volt meter shows more than 1/2 a volt in your coolant system, then your coolant is bad and has electrocitice in it. To use the volt meter, you put the positive terminal in the radiator, and the negative terminal to the neg terminal on your battery.

If you do have electrocitice, then you must do a "Full Flush" to get ALL the coolant out of your engine block.

If you got an aftermarket radiator which cools your motor more than your stock, then that can be a cause for the engine to act up. If it cools it too much, the engine will run bad. You want your engine to run at 200+ degrees F.

If the car isnt starting, just remeber, that in order for an engine to run, you must have the following:
Compression
Air
Fuel
Spark
Timing

If your head gaskets are blown, that would cause for you to lose compression.

So considering that your car wont start, and it had over heating probelms, it seems as if your coolant was really bad which at time formed electrocitice which damaged/destroyed your head gaskets, having your engine lose compression, which could be the reason for you having a hard time to start the car.

So if I were you, I'd get the coolant checked for voltage. Remeber, if it has 1/2 volt or more, than electrocitice formed, which would eat your head gaskets.

 

The coolant should be change every 24,000 miles.

 

This is just a theory of what could have happened to your car. But couldn't tell you for sure, untill you get it checked. (based on what I read, I gave you a scenario of what it could be). Anyone can say it's a blown head gasket but what you have to figure out, is what caused it (if that's the case), so that you can get it ALL fixed right the first time

 

One of the simpliest things you can do to "upgrade" your coolant system, is get a better radiator cap Let's say you have a 14psi radiator cap, well get a 16psi and that will increase the boiling point in your coolant 6.5 degrees F.

For every additional 1 psi = can increase 3.25 degrees F in boiling point of coolant

 

Thanks so much for all your help. I have been told that because there is no pressure, it must be the blown heads.

 

It could also be your thermostat, which caused it to over heat. If you replace it, be sure to replace it with the same temp thermostat. Having a lower temp thermostat is actually not good for the car. (it could cause worse gas milage, lose in performance, etc....remember, your car must run at 200+ degress F. Having it too cold, is like racing a car from a cold start.

For starting problems, it could be your battery, or your starter.

 

Just remember to see what caused it to lose pressure (radiator cap, hoses)....before thinking replacing head gaskets would fix the problem. You might not even have to do so.

 

If you didnt live so far, I'd love to help you out.

 

If your car has been over heating and youve contined to drive it, you can totally mess up the car.

First of all, the cylinder head gasket is probably toasted, second if you kept driving it, you could have warped the head.

Check the radiator fluid and reserve, any oil?

Check the thermostat, Thermo fan switches - make sure your fans turn on.
Like cocoa said, check hoses, and maybe have it pressure tested for any leaks, if there is a leak the boiling point drops. Also are you using a correct 50/50 solution mix?

if you cant get the car to turn over....goodluck, you prolly warped something.

 

hate to say it but it sounds like ur head is done. it wont turn over cause one or more cylinders is hydro locked, meaning the cylinder is totally full of water/antifreeze. before u take this to heart make sire ur battery isnt dead, causing it not to turn over. but overheating it till it shuts off, 99% of the time emans u got a warped head, whuch u may be able to have resurfaced which is usually the case. which would save u $$$$. total woth resurfacing the head and replacing the timing belt, water pump, and head gasket bout 700$ if for some reason u get it started do not run it for long or fast, cause u will do more dammage to the motor. hit me up if u got any more q's...good luck

 

All of this sounds like great stuff. I have spoken to a few people as of yesterday and it seems like they are going to be able to help here in my area. I have changed the radiator, radiator cap, hoses, thermostat, etc. I am thinking that I am going to try and have the heads resurfaced before I go the new engine route. Thanks for a ll the help, I never realized that there were still people out there willing to help like this. Have a great day everyone!

 

alternator?????? just a thought if you don't find out what it is

 

Okay, thanks. I will ask about that. I am going to have a few different people and shops look at it before I make any moves! Thanks again!

 

CDubs--I feel your pain. About 3 weeks ago I purchased a 1998 2.3 CL with 95,000 miles on it and the day after I bought it, it started overheating. I brought it back to the dealership to see if they could help and they said that the radiator needed to be flushed. After that was done, it was fine for a few days until the check engine light started coming on. It only comes on occasionally and since it has been running fine and I have no money whatsoever, I haven't taken it in.

Well today I had been driving about 4 blocks when my car suddenly died. I waited a couple minutes and started it back up. I drove about another 2 blocks when I noticed that my temperature gauge was going up. I managed to make it to my destination before the gauge made it all the way to the "H" but it sure shot up in a hurry.

I've taken everyone's ideas into account but I don't know what exactly applies to my problem since CDubs' problem is a little different, and I did just recently have my radiator flushed. I also don't know if this makes a difference but I just filled my tank with gas right before the problem happened.

Any thoughts on the matter would be very much appreciated!

 

As you probably know already, DON'T RIVE THE CAR EVEN IF IT WORKS. Many have said that this is what made my car act up. Let me know if you find out anything. Good luck!

 

Oh how I wish I had read those words of wisdom sooner! The day after I had those problems, I put a coolant/water mixture in my radiator. It took a lot so it must have been low. The check engine light finally went off and the temp gauge didn't go up past the 1/4 mark so I thought life was good. Ha ha!

Today the ol' check engine light came back on and after running a couple errands, my car decided just not to start back up again. I don't know if it was related to overheating because the temperature gauge didn't go up at all today. However, when I turned the key it would turn over, just wouldn't start. The tow truck guy got it to start by giving it a lot of gas, but I had him tow it anyhow.

Any of you car-smart people have any suggestions as to what I can ask the mechanic about so I sound knowledgeable and not so easy to take advantage of?



And CDubs--I'll let you know what I find out. Thanks already to everyone for being so generous with the advice! It's a relief to have somewhere to look to for help with my car.

 

I agree, thanks for all the help eberyone. Cornfed, let me know what you find out. I have an appointment with an honest mechanic this week so I will let you know what he says.

 

So I just talked to the mechanic and he said that it is either a cracked cylinder head or head gasket. He said that to remove the top part of the engine for parts and labor alone will be $1300. If it is cracked, it will be another $500 to replace it.

Needless to say, I'm not a happy camper right now. It's always nice to pay another $2000 to get a car fixed after I just bought it!

CDubs--let me know if you find out anything different. I'm not having anything done yet, until I do some research. Anyone know if this assessment and cost sounds reasonable?

 

To replace a head gasket yourself, it would cost you about what, 10 bucks? Nevertheless, damn cheaper than paying them. A shop wanted to charge me 900 bucks just to install cams, lol (i asked for fun).

Do it yourself, if you don't know how, buy the service manual from acura (should be about 2000 pages), usually costs about 200 bucks, or download it online at our site. It should be a sticky at the top of our 1st gen threads.

For it to be a cracked head, it should have been through some rough shit in it's life. Take it to other places, tell them the symptoms, and see what they have to say. Check around and see if they all suspect the same problem.

 

1300$$$ nawww that is way too high. u prolly just got a blown head gasket. that dude is smokin crack. get ur car back and go back to the dealer u just bought it from, see what they say. maybee they know someone who can get u a better deal on that fix.