Temp gauge and start up problems

[DM83]

Hello everyone

I have a wierd problem with my 2003 Pilot

1) Temp gauge goes up and down during driving at times.
2) 1 out of 10 times car has trouble starting.
3) At times engine will seem to be stuggling.

I brought it to many different shops including Honda.
Honda said to change spark plugs, replace temp gauge and last
resurface cylinder head, replace head gasket.

I started with temp gauge and then sparks and now the last thing to
do is resuface cylinder head which is about $2400.

Just want to see what you guys think.

Thanks

[hondacuraplanet]

If they're recommending a head gasket replacement, I would hope that they did a compression check and cylinder leakdown test to determine if that's the issue. That sure is an expensive guess.

[mclairmo]

I agree with Tim. I would not have that heads pulled unless I was certain the gaskets were leaking. Do you see any water in the oil, any oil in the radiator? What happens when you run the engine with the radiator cap off? Does water shoot out, bubble out, etc? You said you replaced the temp guage? Do you mean the temp sender unit on the engine or the actual guage in the dash? Any trouble codes? Any white sour smelling smoke coming out the tailpipe?

[DM83]

Originally Posted by mclairmo

I agree with Tim. I would not have that heads pulled unless I was certain the gaskets were leaking. Do you see any water in the oil, any oil in the radiator? What happens when you run the engine with the radiator cap off? Does water shoot out, bubble out, etc? You said you replaced the temp guage? Do you mean the temp sender unit on the engine or the actual guage in the dash? Any trouble codes? Any white sour smelling smoke coming out the tailpipe?

I got my temp guage unit replace on the engine cost me about $230 with the part. I dont know the trouble codes. I was told to always check my oil to see if it look milky. I have tryed to start the engine with the radiator cap off. I'll try that before I go to work. Tailpipe has bad smoke and doesnt seem normal, smells like its not gas isnt burning right.

I will test it today before I go to work.
Thanks for the info guys !!

[thorgrim]

Get the compression test done. I had my head gasket go on a 99 Pont Grand AM GT, and had work done, but after about 2 years started to have the problem again, from what I hear if it is a head gasket issue there is potential that it can come back. So I went and bought a Honda Civic in 08. Cant complain car gave me 10 years, but i feel your pain, it is very expensive, and I did not want to go through that again.

[hondacuraplanet]

It's also important to do a cylinder leakdown check if you've got one cylinder with bad compression. This test consists of pumping the cylinder fill of air and seeing where the air is escaping, showing where the lost compression is going.

[rocky]

I'm with Tim/hondacuraplanet on this. Start with a leakdown test and come back to us.