Kicking Myself. Not the Tires.

When the catalytic converter fell off, I debated whether or not to give up on the Honda. Tunex told me I had a head gasket leak and it would cost over $1600 to fix. But with Tory Mesmer's help, we checked for coolant or anything else in the oil and found none. And even after added dye to the coolant I couldn't see any evidence it was leaking outside either. And, just in case, I put in some head gasket sealant. 

I then spent a couple hundred bucks replacing the ignition coils and spark plugs, and replaced the thermostat, the temperature sensor and the temperature switch (I did all these myself to save money.) I still overheated later, but then found I needed to "burp" the radiator and was low on oil. It was then working fine. I felt like I had licked the problem and could get at least another year out of the car. The catalytic converter is a very pricey thing, but I thought $900 would now be well spent.

Oops.

Driving into work Wednesday the car spiked suddenly again. And it wouldn't run right. I took it to a Tunex across the street from my office in Riverton. The radiator seam had split and I now needed a new radiator--which I had replaced in June. It is under warranty, but Layton Tunex had already diagnosed a bad head gasket. If I wanted the radiator replaced, I had to have them do the head gasket as well.

I argued. I wasn't even nice (unfortunately). But, they got me. The engine had overheated. I hadn't replaced the head gasket. I personally think I was wise not to replace the head gasket. I think the radiator would have failed anyway. But, I definitely have a head gasket problem now. I just wish I would have skipped the catalytic converter! (By the way, I have also discovered that it illegal to put on a used catalytic converter, so there is no way to recoup that loss, either.)

Anyway, I think spending another $1600+ is unwise. I like the idea of doing the head gasket myself, but with extra work hours, an ailing yard and home, two musical sets to build, limited garage space and tools, not heat in the garage, a very busy church calling, etc. ... and no guarantee that something else won't go spectacularly wrong with a car just a few miles shy of 200K miles ... I decided I better not commit to that.

So, I'm cutting my losses and letting PickNPull have the car.

This was much too long of post. I apologize for that. But, I am a little down right now. It hurts!

Mom and Dad, I am not terribly opposed to the idea of buying your car, but I don't know if that is a wise thing, especially when I don't have CNG near me anymore. I can do without another car right now.

Love y'all!

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David V. Benge