I've got a 2002 civic lx sedan with 178000 miles. A few thousand miles ago I started having the typical head gasket problems, low coolant, bubbles in rad,etc. I keep the coolant topped up, bleed the air.

How long can I go before further problems? What other kinds of problems should I expect if I continue to do this? I want to change the head gasket myself for the first time and I need a few more weeks driving time before I can do it. Lately, it's rough starting and occasionally misfires on startup. I'm thinking coil packs, spark plugs, wet humid weather, not a big deal. Or, is this a possible symptom of a leaky head gasket?

 

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I intend to change the head gasket myself. I have the use of a friends shop who has done this type of repair before on other makes and models, never a honda.

This is a gasket kit from bernardi honda in massachusetts, $172. Is there anything else I should order beforehand?

 

Whoops, I linked a wrong page. 06110-PLC-010 | Honda GASKET KIT, CYLINDER HEAD - Bernardi Parts

 

At 178K miles you might as well do the timing belt package as well (belt, tensioner, waterpump) since you'll be taking it off anyways.

Valve cover gasket kit would be a good idea too.

 

I believe the timing belt and water pump was changed at 125,000. I bought the car in August 2014. I'm now about 50,000 miles later.

According to Bernardi Honda's diagram the gasket kit includes cover gasket, intake gasket, spark plug tube gaskets, head gasket, I'm not sure about exhaust gasket.

I don't understand why if the gaskets individually priced come to about $70, the assembled kit goes for $172.

I think I'm going to do a head gasket change without doing the timing belt and water pump. Does anybody know of any good threads regarding this procedure? I have searched but I haven't found much.

 

Yeah, you don't need the timing package. There's a link in the FAQ's thread. It's the bottom sticky in the 2001-2005 Civic forum

 

I found a receipt from the previous owner. He replaced the timing belt, water pump,belts,coolant (he put in green) and plugs At 140,500.

So, my plan is to detach everything from the head, slide the timing belt off the pulley and pull the head.

I'm concerned about the power steering bracket, alternator bracket, intake manifold, I can't find any good videos or pictures of these. It doesn't look like there's much room especially with the AC line going over top.

 

I've done a little more research and I have some questions.

Assuming I will mark and slide the timing belt off the cam pulley:
Does it matter if I align the #1 piston to TDC?
Can I remove the head bolts and head without removing the camshaft?
Can I remove the intake manifold from the head without depressurizing the fuel system?

I watched a youtube video of kevin122780 Honda Civic 1.6L Headgasket walk through, 4 parts. He did it this way, it looked pretty easy but my engine is a bit different and it's older and rustier.

 

yes

From the head? yes

No. Follow the fuel rail from the head and you'll see the disconnect (rear passenger side of the engine bay)

***PLEASE PLEASE GET A MANUAL. IT WILL ANSWER ALL YOUR QUESTIONS FOR YOUR SPECIFIC MODEL AND IT HAS PICTURES.***

 

Just pay someone to do it for you, seems it's way over your head.

 

I have a Haynes and a Chilton. I've got a head,cover,intake,exhaust,spark plug gaskets, thermostat, head bolts,and lots of other nuts and bolts just because. I'm going to set the piston to TDC just in case but I intend to slip the belt off the crankshaft pulley without removing it. My car still runs good in spite of the leaky gasket so I'm not going to machine the head either. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

Just so you're aware, those two books are nearly identical. Both lack as much depth as a true Helm's manual, as well.

 

I've been looking into getting a honda service manual or a bentley. I haven't looked at helms yet. The bentley manual doesn't look any better than a Haynes.

 

Honda Service Manuals are made by Helm's, bud.

 

I didn't know that, thanks.

 

 

Ok. I just did it.
I did not Depressurize the fuel injectors. The intake manifold can be pushed back out of the way. The injector rail stays with the manifold. There are 3 nuts and 2 bolts that hold the manifold. all except the middle one are easily accessible. it can be reached from underneath after the oil filter and the brackets are removed.

I did not remove the Alternator, the AC, the lower timing belt cover, tensioner, harmonic balancer, engine mount, left wheel, etc!

I slid the belt off the pulley after marking a tooth and marked the pulley to the housing. I then carefully zip tied it so it couldn't come off the lower pulleys.

Getting it back on was difficult and I needed a helper. It took 4 hands to get the belt back on about halfway or 12 o'clock. I then slipped a screwdriver under the belt and set on a tooth in the pulley. My helper put a long extension socket on the drive shaft and slowly turned the belt over and it slipped on. I could not reach the tensioner to loosen it which was the point of doing this shortcut.

All went back together smoothly, car runs great, no leaks. This is my first head gasket! definitely a milestone for a backyard mechanic!

 

If only you lived here in LA lol i think i may need this service to my '03 Honda Civic.