Honda Forum

[w4rdee]

Hi guys , really need some guidance . Ive just bought a HRV from a garage . The head gasket was replaced and head skimmed just prior to me picking the car up . The guy at the garage told me it would smoke a bit for the first week or so until all the crap had burnt off ( When i collected the car there was no smoke at all )
I cold started it this morning and there is quite a lot of white smoke coming from the exhaust and the tappets are noisy . As soon as the engine has warmed slightly , both problems stop ( engine is very quiet and no smoke at all ) .
Would just like some reassurance that what ive been told is true and ive not bought a lemon

Thanks

[marky]

Hiya, I would get the car checked by another mechanic. You can get oil deposits in the manifolds when a head gasket has been done, but this should only last whilst the engine is being checked at the time of the work being carried out by the mechanic.
Have a look in your oil cap and make sure there is no whitey/mayonaisey deposits in there, and check your coolant bottle and make sure there are no brown/oily stuff floating in the water and sure you do it when the engine is cold.
If there is any deposits then suspect a problem.
But first and foremost if your not sure, get it checked by someone else.


Mark.

[w4rdee]

Thanks Marky ,

Will do this as a matter of urgency . Its got a 6 month RAC warranty and im also a member so may get them to inspect it for me . See what they find

[marky]

What you could do is call the RAC out with a suspected head gasket and they will diagnose the fault for you. Saves you having to take it to a garage.
Just an idea.

Mark

[w4rdee]

Yeah , might do that instead . Just looked up an RAC inspection on the internet . Prices start from £175 ......ouch .

On the plus side the tappets arent noisy on cold starting now . Im thinking a can of Ametech engine restorer will cure all my issues !!