2003 Honda Odyssey HEAD GASKET

RJATA66

MEMBER
2003 HONDA ODYSSEY
3.5L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

REPLACED A CRACKED EXHAUST VALVE ON THE REAR HEAD, INSTALLED NEW HEAD GASKET AND TORQUED DOWN TO SPECS, WHEN I STARTED IT WHITE SMOKE COMES OUT OF EXHAUST LIKE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I TIGHENED DOWN HEAD BOLTS MORE WITH NO LUCK. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

Friday, September 5th, 2014 AT 1:37 PM

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,864 POSTS

How long did you run the engine? It's common for coolant to run into the exhaust pipe when the head is removed. That might be what's burning off. If you don't suspect that, do a cylinder leakage test on those three cylinders. If the head gasket isn't sealing, you'll find bubbles in the radiator.

What did you do for the surface prep on the head? Any chance there's pieces of old gasket that didn't get cleaned off? Especially around locating dowel pins?

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Friday, September 5th, 2014 AT 8:22 PM

RJATA66

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I checked the matting surfaces though lay and cleaned them well, I was wondering if there is a o ring that goes between the head and the cylinder on that engine, I checked the parts diagram on Honda site but couldn't find any o rings. I will do a compression check and let you know. Is it necessary to mill the head when it's removed?

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Sunday, September 7th, 2014 AT 10:28 AM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,864 POSTS

Overhead cam cylinder heads can't be machined if they're warped. They have to be straightened or replaced. If you machine the sealing surface, that leaves the camshaft journals out of line and the cam will bind.

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Sunday, September 7th, 2014 AT 10:20 PM