My 98 2.3 CL with 210K mile appears to be leaking exhaust gas into my coolant (the issue that is causing my strange temp problem as posted earlier).

My mechanic tells me it could be a head gasket or cracked head. Now I was planning on doing the a timing belt / water pump job myself anyway and I know at that point the head gasket is not too much more work / cost.

For those of you that work on these engines what’s the chance of it being a cracked head? I guess I won’t know till the head comes off, but I can do that with not too much work )and do it before I get al the stuff for the timing belt). Also with the head coming off what work should I do to it at this point (plane the surface, etc). I’m getting my car back tonight and might just start working on getting the head off so I can make an intelligent decision on what to do.

BTW my mechanic also mentioned that shaving the head will increase compression putting stress on other parts of the motor. But if it makes a difference I’m the original owner of this car, I’ve maintained it well, and the engine still runs and pulls great!!!!!

 

Good news,, it seens my temp issue is not head gasket related. My mechanic didn't find anything unussual in my coolant or gasses... But see this!!!!

http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191995

which might be the stem of my problem...