ninety-eight

Hi everyone,
I'm looking for some advice about my car, a 1998 TL 2.5. I recently had the displeasure of rear-ending someone, and since my insurance doesn't cover damages to MY car, I'm thinking about repairing it myself. I'm not too knowledgeable about auto repairs but I've read a decent amount and I'm pretty handy with a wrench.

After starting my car again a couple weeks later, the following happened:

smoke starting rising from the engine from near the battery housing. It did that before (I had an oil leak from my headgasket) but it's probably worse off from the crash since there seemed to be a bit more.

The car overheats. I replaced hose damaged from the crash, and my radiator fluid is still full, but the car overheats. I checked that my radiator fans are working by running the AC and checking that they spin up but I'm not sure that they're turning on when they're supposed to during idle. I didn't dare drive the car. I didn't let it overheat in my driveway but I know that it did at the accident scene.

While I was testing the radiator my engine had a severe drop in power (it seemed okay staring out), practically stalling out while idling.

I know there's no simple answer to this. I'm just looking for good advice and resources to help me decide if I should try to fix it myself, or start looking for a new ride. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!


pics:

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http://img81.imageshack.us/i/img0390v.jpg/
http://img81.imageshack.us/i/img0400ys.jpg/
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http://img23.imageshack.us/i/img0404ol.jpg/

TLin401

From the sounds of thing, it sounds like you have a blown head gasket.

The idle issue can be fixed by cleaning out the intake air control valve. Just remove the intake hose from the throttle, clean the plate and bore with throttle bod cleaner and you are good to go. Also if you are a noob to this, make sure the car is off when you do this. Then start your car. You may need to give it a little gas but you will be good.

GL!

TexasHonda

Oil leak could be from valve cover gasket, oil filter extension oring, or distributor (either internal shaft seal or drive oring). I would check all these sources carefully before replacing head gasket. Very easy to mis-diagnose an oil leak.

Overheating may be a failed thermostat. Easy replacement on 2.5TL (upper radiator house housing on engine). Use an OEM thermostat for best performance, a little pricey but works good. Don't buy a "cooler than OEM" thermostat. This is a recipe for poor fuel economy.

Looking at the engine radiator cross member, you will need to pull that forward. Perhaps by anchoring member w/ chain to a tree and backing car carefully (you monitor w/ a trusted driver backing car). Bumper may be OK, if you're not too particular. Pull and replace damaged fasteners. Hood can probably be straightened w/ some effort, but a used hood may be easier path.

good luck

bigwerm187

it doesn't look bad at all my whole front end right side was gone and i built my TL... well i bought it wrecked like that so yeah.. ur car aint bad at all..