So, after spending like 4 days completely rebuilding the nastiest carbs I've ever seen, I squirted a little WD40 down into the engine through the spark plug holes. A moment later I see it coming out the side of the engine. YES! So it looks like I need a head gasket and was wondering if anyone knows of any to recommend of that I should stay away from. After a quick search I found a couple sources (thankfully). But like $140 for an engine gasket kit?! Wow. This project is going a little deeper than expected.

And I've rebuilt single cylinder engines before but never removed heads from a multi-cylinder engine so I am both a little nervous but also excited to do this because I've always wanted to learn but was always too much of a chicken to try.

 

Also, if anyone has any tips for doing this job, I'm all ears. I do have a Honda Service manual but the pics are just crap. Very dark.

 

hi. are you sure it's not the spark plug draining holes where WD40 came out ?

 

yeah, put plugs back in. clean everything off and drip some water down there. Does it come out same place as earlier?

Also do compression-test. Most of time, headgasket burns away between 2-cylinders or out to water-jacket. Never from between water-jacket to outside.

 

Hmmm.. Now I am glad I asked. I will look next chance I get. That would be most excellent if its just coming out of these drain holes you mention.

It looks like its coming through the seam or joint between the head and the cylinder, but I will try that experiment to be sure.
Thanks all.

 

So before leaving for work this morning I squirted some water down into the spark plug hole (plug installed) and watched it come out the drain hole and collect at the same spot as in my picture. I guess its possible that that’s what was happening with the WD40 and maybe I just never saw it come out that hole. Didn’t know the hole even existed or what it was. It kind of hides behind the frame.
Looks like this could be great news! Thank you so much for the tip!!! Saved me lots of time and money!!

 

Awesome!!!

I've replaced enough headgaskets, any mention of them makes me shiver!!!