How much would replacing either of these cost at a normal shop? Also, on a 99 I30, can you replace valve seals without removing the heads? I heard that you have to remove the heads and timing chain on this model.

 

Don't know about the VQ, but generally speaking you are going to have a helluva an easier time replacing the seals with the heads off the engine....have you done the proper testing to confirm whether or not you have a blown headgasket? If you indeed do, might was well do the seals at the same time since the heads gotta come off anyway...

Dont know where you live, but out here in SoCal, I could imagine that job ranging anywhere from $1300-$2000 at a reputable shop that will do it right the first time and stand behind their work...

 

Proper testing is just compression tests right?

 

Ah BHG is my *****. coming from an Acura Legend, I know entirely too much about it...

Here's a quick checklist:

1) WHITE smoke coming from the exchaust. This may be hard to see, but get someone to follow you in your car and tell you if ANY white smoke is coming out of the back

2) Los of coolant. Coolant should not just "disappear". If you are having to fill up your coolant with any type of frequency, you might have a BHG.

3) Milky oil. Check your dipstick, and confirm there are no traces of coolant. If the oil looks even slightly white or cream colred, you probably have a BHG

4) Loss of power. If under acceleration you can feel the car working harder to get to the desired speed, this is also worth noting


If any of the above are true, go get a compression test. They will be able to tell you which cylinder is losing compression, and you can go from there. Just because a cylinder is lower in compression doesn't really mean a BHG. Find a good shop to do the test, and they will be able to tell you hat the deal is. Check those things above first, however, and see if you have enough info to give the shop beforehand (save on diagnostic charges)

Hope it all works out

I know with the Legend, if it overheated AT ALL your Head Gasket was done. Amazing car, but the cooling system for it was always its weakest point.

Good luck man

 

I recently took it to a place and left it a few days. They did a compression test and checked everything on the car. The only thing they said was there was too much oil. They did the oil change and it didnt smoke at all for a few days. Now its doing it again upon starting.

 

that sounds more like the valves. Check your oil level, if it's dropped since they changed it-a valve job may be in your future. It could easily be just the valve stems too.

If you put it in park and rev the engine does it smoke?

 

Would bad valves create lower compression? I'll have to check and see about reving in neutral. As far as I know, its just at startup, but its white thick smoke, not simply condensation.

 

Not neutral, but park. Leave your e-brake on.

About the compression, I have no idea. If it's white smoke, it's almost clearly the heads burning coolant. Valve smoke will be grey/black, and smell like oil....