- 2005 Honda Civic VP
- 115k
- automatic
- No OBDII codes but was almost to red area of temperature gauge. I believe there to be a head gasket leak although oil and coolant seem clean. There is minor bubbling in the radiator and coolant overflow tank gets dark inside. In any case I'm changing the head gasket and a ton of other seals and gaskets.
Pics: https://stellar7.org/05civic/
Hey guys, I have a 2005 Honda Civic VP (same as LX) with around 115k. It's my go to work vehicle and has been excellent. I suspected a head gasket minor leak and as I took the head off the block, I noticed the exhaust manifold is super rusted near the mating surface with the block. Please see the pics. https://stellar7.org/05civic/ I'm not a professional mechanic so I have no experience to judge how bad it is. I can see carbon buildup around the duct perimeters and a bit further in the case of the outer 2 ducts. Looking at the pic of the front of the manifold, I don't see any obvious metal fatigue failure.
I've heard that these manifolds have a manufacturer defect where they crack in the center outer part of the ducts which causes bowing on the mating surface. Based on the photos, it appears the outer ducts may be sealing less?
Is the amount of rust on the mating surface too much to seal properly with a new gasket? Can it be sanded down? I doesn't appear the mating surface was designed to be completely flat... there is a rectangular area in the center that protrudes the main surface by design so I don't know if the entire flange can be sanded down without causing problems. I'd hate to buy a new exhaust manifold since it costs $800!!, unless someone knows where to get a cheap/good one.
Are there any tolerances on curvature for the exhaust manifold flange like there is on the head?
Any advice is appreciated.
You so fine wire brushes you can put on a drill bit I use air tools myself but you can use a drill bit and find round wire brush and you clean that rust off and it will still seal fine
Thanks Scotty. I'm not a professional mechanic like you but I've learned so much from you over the years that I was able to connect the dots enough to do most work myself. I'll still leave automatic transmissions to guys who do this professionally.