If it’s been overheated several times, my choice would be to replace the whole engine with a good used one, then sell your old one as a rebuildable core. The only person who can tell you if it’s worth putting money into is you. What’s more financially wise - spending a few thousand on a vehicle you know is otherwise solid, or spending a lot more money on a used but unknown vehicle? Only you can say.

 

I guess I didn't pose this question correctly. If this new mechanic is correct and the overheating could have caused the head gasket issue as well as possible engine block warp, and there is no easy way to check to verify this, than it sounds like a major issue that will need a lot of money to correct.

Hi,
If the Head is warped that's one thing, but the block.

Looking at a complete rebuild.

Might see what Jasper or Eagle want's for a rebuild short block?

Not a fan of the used engines from Japan.

Yes, I think that's what the mechanic said.
It's out of the question to replace an engine. It would cost as much as the car is worth.
Thanks!!

 

Hi,
If the Head is warped that's one thing, but the block.

Looking at a complete rebuild.

Might see what Jasper or Eagle want's for a rebuild short block?

Not a fan of the used engines from Japan.

 

Not a fan of the used engines from Japan.

Why not? Just last weekend I swapped my 3rd k24 in the past couple of years, nothing wrong with used…if you find a respectable supplier. Just make sure you pull the valve cover and check the exhaust cam lobes for wear before buying.

 

I used these guys as a supplier of a JDM K24A back in 2019 for a CRV:

JDM of California – Used Japanese engines, transmissions and parts. Directly imported from Japan.

www.jdmcalifornia.com

Basically only used the long block, so no “Jerry rigging” of any sensors or computers needed. They had a 2 month warranty on the engine.

I had searched for a used USDM engine for 3 months, and nothing in my area was acceptable to me, which is why I went with a JDM. It’s been fine for the last 4 years.

 

I had my engine replaced with a “low mileage jdm” motor and it burns a lot of oil. Lucky for me the mechanic I took it too has a 12 month warranty.
I’ll be doing a wet/dry compression check to see if it’s the rings otherwise I have no idea what it could be.

mid i has the time and space to do it myself I would have purchased a remanufactured engine.

With jdm engines there is no guarantee it’s a low mileage engine and unless you can and know what to look for then you are putting a lot of trust into upper mechanic/supplier.

 

No way you can warp a block unless you drop it from a crane. A head... easy... I had the head planed and the valves ground and seated for $150 at a shop about three years ago at 218K.... 293K now

 

You absolutely can, quite frequent when I worked at an engine rebuild shop.

 

An off-hand remark about the possibility of block warpage should be taken with a grain of salt.

The fact is that the only thing you know right now is that you have a head gasket leak. There is no way to know if the block is warped without pulling the head, and you've got to pull the head for any of the anticipated repairs. So if you want to keep the car you might as well have them pull the head. If they don't want to do it, find someone who will.

When the head is pulled the first thing they should check for is block warpage (0.004" max). If they find the block is warped, it's time to replace the engine, or sell the car. Resolving a warped block is VERY expensive because you have to pull the engine and get the block down to a bare block. But if no block warpage, then there is no reason not to complete the head gasket repair. Part of the head gasket repair is to examine the head for warpage (0.008" max.), which is regularly resolved by planing the head.

So, avert your eyes to the glaring headlight that mechanic is shinning in your eyes and focus on something other than the worst case scenario.

 

Thank you!!! Great advice. I'll try to call around or ask my mechanic again what it would cost to just do the gasket, because I'm loosing coolant and I'll have to monitor if it's not getting worse. Other than that the car seems to be running decently, except for a few minor things. I'd love to get another 100K out of it if possible.

 

If you know this element has had a great service history, then its probably worth fixing. Do a pressure leak test and then a compression test. If it's only the head gasket, I would pull the head, have it surface checked and valve checked. Then reassemble with all new gaskets.

 

So my 2003 EX w 217K miles overheated... several times, but not to an extreme. Maybe 90% was the max one time.

There was a slow coolant leak, but it was making noise too (water pump). Reluctantly I took it to my old mechanic. (I had no luck finding someone good and/or more versed in Elements on this forum a few months ago...)

1 Job: Thermostat + Housing
I was told the noise was coming from the water pump and I should "try to replace it soon"

-Only made the overheating issue worse. It overheated same day. In hindsight,I noticed coolant splatter on grille, which wasn't there prior to this repair.

Job 2: Radiator, Water Pump + misc.
Car overheated within days.

Found a new mechanic, from a fellow Element owner locally. Not E expert but solid guy.
He bled the system and replaced a hose, which had a leak. Charge was steep but it was worth it. He said there is likely an issue with the head gasket and it wouldn't be worth doing on a car with 217K miles. Plus the overheating may have caused aluminum block to warp, etc.

The car is running, but there is still a small leak. Maybe needs a 1/2 gallon every 2-3 weeks. I just found out that it's coming from the head gasket.

Wondering if it is worth it to dig into this and try to fix it? Other than this there aren't any major issues with the car.

Thanks!!

I don't believe you need a mechanic versed in Elements. This is probably the most common engine Honda has made. Any mechanic who knows how to work on a Honda should be very comfortable working on the engine. Mechanically I think it is a CRV with a different body.

 

So my 2003 EX w 217K miles overheated... several times, but not to an extreme. Maybe 90% was the max one time.

There was a slow coolant leak, but it was making noise too (water pump). Reluctantly I took it to my old mechanic. (I had no luck finding someone good and/or more versed in Elements on this forum a few months ago...)

1 Job: Thermostat + Housing
I was told the noise was coming from the water pump and I should "try to replace it soon"

-Only made the overheating issue worse. It overheated same day. In hindsight,I noticed coolant splatter on grille, which wasn't there prior to this repair.

Job 2: Radiator, Water Pump + misc.
Car overheated within days.

Found a new mechanic, from a fellow Element owner locally. Not E expert but solid guy.
He bled the system and replaced a hose, which had a leak. Charge was steep but it was worth it. He said there is likely an issue with the head gasket and it wouldn't be worth doing on a car with 217K miles. Plus the overheating may have caused aluminum block to warp, etc.

The car is running, but there is still a small leak. Maybe needs a 1/2 gallon every 2-3 weeks. I just found out that it's coming from the head gasket.

Wondering if it is worth it to dig into this and try to fix it? Other than this there aren't any major issues with the car.

Thanks!!

I have a 2006 Element with nearly the same mileage. I love this car so my vote is to repair it. I also found, over the years, I have always had better experience and better repairs at the Honda dealer in San Marcos, TX. Most things I can do (such as change the starter). But if it's beyond my capability and tools, I take it to the dealer. I wish you the best whatever you decide.