How many miles on your *original* headgasket? Protecting headgaskets? - Page 5

toyotas4life86 · 05-16-07, 10:48 PM

I have 260k Miles and am runing on orignal headgasket on my 94 coupe 6spd
Im using NON OEm green coolant and started to have a leak from orignal waterpump at 199k so i replaced orignal timing belt and waterpump at 199k car is runing strong even with aftermarket coolant
but i do agree TOYOTA red coolant or Honda Red coolant is the best

legendtype2 · 05-17-07, 02:28 AM

I love color of toyota and honda coolant. toyota ones look like pomegranate juice and honda looks like kiwi juice... Makes me wanna drink some lol... anyway my 1st legend's hg gave at 167K that's because I was a poor college student and didn't really maintain it right but now 2nd legend has 188K miles ... I believe it's got original gaskets. I hope it lasts another 50K and I'll be happy... *knock on wood*

Pito11213 · 05-17-07, 08:06 AM

So how about the few guys that did all the preventative work and still got a blown head gasket. Why cant we just admit that it is a design flaw with this engine? I could understand if there was a case here and there, but go into that overheating thread and you see countless new guys posting up the exact same problems. Then you never hear from them again.

These legends must have something poorly designed for this problem to be so frequent, that it makes people want to upgrade to another engine just to not have to deal the HG issues.

oldacura · 05-17-07, 09:46 AM

I think there is a design problem with the engine and with the cooling system - where the throttle cable bracket attaches to the top radiator tank. If the cooling system has a problem, the engine is likely to have a BHG. A more robust engine design would likely survive occasional overheating.

I have not yet had a BHG. I think this is a combination of good preventive maintenance and luck.

LEgEND-FEiGN · 05-17-07, 10:23 AM

270k on my 92 sedan with original headgasket

**Mike Diaz** · 05-17-07, 10:26 AM

If you guys read my vibration theory from a few years ago, then look at the addition of the balance shaft in the 3.5L engines (which have very few head gasket problems), you'll see that the vibration from the engine causes the top of the cylinder wall to eat away at the gasket, eventually allowing coolant to enter the cylinder.

Pito11213 · 05-17-07, 10:30 AM

So can we be fair and say that it is mostly design flaw and not always poor ownershipt that causes the BHG. It sounds like most owner want an excuse as to why these cars get the BHG. Lets face it, its the engine.

**Mike Diaz** · 05-17-07, 10:32 AM

Head gasket theory

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Diaz

Here's my theory that I discussed with a long time Acura tech. There's a few reasons why the Legend engine blows head gaskets.

Theory #1. The Vibration effect - once you remove the heads, you'll notice that the cyilnder walls sit out in the open by themselves with the coolant jacket surrounding it. No structural support at the top of the cylinder walls. What we discussed was the fact that engines vibrate, and the vibration eventually eats away at the gasket allowing coolant to flow into the cylinder. Typically it does this more at the rear of the engine (#3 and #6 cylinders). Next time you're in your car, rev it up to about 1500-2000 RPM's and feel the vibration that I'm talking about. Think about that vibration happening for 100k-150k miles and how that affects this area of the engine.

Theory #2. Improperly torqued heads - We talked a little about overtorquing heads and he claims that he overtorques the C32a heads to 59-60 lb ft. The theory is that when the engines were built at the factory, the engineers of the C series engines underestimated the torque specs for the heads. The factory torque spec should have probably been 60-62 lb. ft.

Theory #3. Non-Honda coolant - Basically any non-Honda coolant can cause deterioration of the head gasket. See this post for more info: Why you should use Honda Brand Antifreeze

LEgEND-FEiGN · 05-17-07, 10:53 AM

so is my 270 the highest?..lol j/p. but i do think it doesnt matter with miles, as long as the car is taken care of...

legendtype2 · 05-17-07, 11:24 AM

so all we can do is good preventive maintenance with oem stuff and wish for the best?

Pito11213 · 05-17-07, 11:58 AM

Yep. Pretty much.

4cruizn · 05-17-07, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEgEND-FEiGN

so is my 270 the highest?..

286 here... Obsessive compulsive about maintenance, 100% OEM parts, all new hoses, recent radiator, Honda coolant, driven gently most of the time.

antik · 05-17-07, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4cruizn

286 here... Obsessive compulsive about maintenance, 100% OEM parts, all new hoses, recent radiator, Honda coolant, driven gently most of the time.

And on the original clutch, correct?

LEgEND-FEiGN · 05-17-07, 12:30 PM

damn looks like i got some drivin to do to catch up..lol

4cruizn · 05-17-07, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antik

And on the original clutch, correct?

Been in the car since October, 1993 baby!

05-17-07, 02:28 AM	#62 (permalink)
legendtype2 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,675 Car 1: 2006 Mercedes C230 Car 2: 1991 L coupe iTrader: (3)	I love color of toyota and honda coolant. toyota ones look like pomegranate juice and honda looks like kiwi juice... Makes me wanna drink some lol... anyway my 1st legend's hg gave at 167K that's because I was a poor college student and didn't really maintain it right but now 2nd legend has 188K miles ... I believe it's got original gaskets. I hope it lasts another 50K and I'll be happy... knock on wood __________________ 91 KA8 Legend Gallery

05-17-07, 10:26 AM	#66 (permalink)
Mike Diaz WHAAAAAH! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N Canton, Ohio Posts: 10,983 Car 1: 3.5L 1991 LS Coupe 5 Spd Blk/Blk Car 2: 1994 Civic EG Hatch Car 3: 03 Honda TRX400EX iTrader: (2)	If you guys read my vibration theory from a few years ago, then look at the addition of the balance shaft in the 3.5L engines (which have very few head gasket problems), you'll see that the vibration from the engine causes the top of the cylinder wall to eat away at the gasket, eventually allowing coolant to enter the cylinder. __________________ 2nd Gen FAQ \| Newbie FAQ \| Bleeding Coolant DIY \| Manual Trans Flush DIY 3.5L DIY \| Crank-No Start Diagnosis \| How I built My Legend

05-17-07, 11:24 AM	#70 (permalink)
legendtype2 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,675 Car 1: 2006 Mercedes C230 Car 2: 1991 L coupe iTrader: (3)	so all we can do is good preventive maintenance with oem stuff and wish for the best? __________________ 91 KA8 Legend Gallery

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05-16-07, 10:48 PM	#61 (permalink)
toyotas4life86 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: bay area Posts: 171 Car 1: looking for sumthing iTrader: (1)	I have 260k Miles and am runing on orignal headgasket on my 94 coupe 6spd Im using NON OEm green coolant and started to have a leak from orignal waterpump at 199k so i replaced orignal timing belt and waterpump at 199k car is runing strong even with aftermarket coolant but i do agree TOYOTA red coolant or Honda Red coolant is the best

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05-17-07, 08:06 AM	#63 (permalink)
Pito11213 Banned Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 2,446 Car 1: 1992 Coupe LS {sold} Car 2: 1992 Lexus LS 400 iTrader: (1)	So how about the few guys that did all the preventative work and still got a blown head gasket. Why cant we just admit that it is a design flaw with this engine? I could understand if there was a case here and there, but go into that overheating thread and you see countless new guys posting up the exact same problems. Then you never hear from them again. These legends must have something poorly designed for this problem to be so frequent, that it makes people want to upgrade to another engine just to not have to deal the HG issues.

05-17-07, 09:46 AM	#64 (permalink)
oldacura Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, Colorado Posts: 418 Car 1: 1995 Legend LS Coupe iTrader: (0)	I think there is a design problem with the engine and with the cooling system - where the throttle cable bracket attaches to the top radiator tank. If the cooling system has a problem, the engine is likely to have a BHG. A more robust engine design would likely survive occasional overheating. I have not yet had a BHG. I think this is a combination of good preventive maintenance and luck.

05-17-07, 10:23 AM	#65 (permalink)
LEgEND-FEiGN Gangster Legend Owner Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Capitol of NY..Albany Posts: 244 Car 1: 1992 Legend L Sedan 270k Car 2: 2000 infiniti i30 iTrader: (1)	270k on my 92 sedan with original headgasket

05-17-07, 10:30 AM	#67 (permalink)
Pito11213 Banned Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 2,446 Car 1: 1992 Coupe LS {sold} Car 2: 1992 Lexus LS 400 iTrader: (1)	So can we be fair and say that it is mostly design flaw and not always poor ownershipt that causes the BHG. It sounds like most owner want an excuse as to why these cars get the BHG. Lets face it, its the engine.

05-17-07, 10:53 AM	#69 (permalink)
LEgEND-FEiGN Gangster Legend Owner Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Capitol of NY..Albany Posts: 244 Car 1: 1992 Legend L Sedan 270k Car 2: 2000 infiniti i30 iTrader: (1)	so is my 270 the highest?..lol j/p. but i do think it doesnt matter with miles, as long as the car is taken care of...

05-17-07, 11:58 AM	#71 (permalink)
Pito11213 Banned Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 2,446 Car 1: 1992 Coupe LS {sold} Car 2: 1992 Lexus LS 400 iTrader: (1)	Yep. Pretty much.

05-17-07, 12:30 PM	#74 (permalink)
LEgEND-FEiGN Gangster Legend Owner Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Capitol of NY..Albany Posts: 244 Car 1: 1992 Legend L Sedan 270k Car 2: 2000 infiniti i30 iTrader: (1)	damn looks like i got some drivin to do to catch up..lol

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