How to Change the Head Gasket In 94 Honda Civic EX

[JohnnyReb454]

I need some help changing the head gasket on my civic... I heard you have to take the head bolts off in a certain pattern and put them back in a certain pattern... I need to know how to take it off and once i replace it how much do I need to torque the head bolts back on at??? Stuff like that... Also do i need any gasket sealant like "form a gasket" to put on the new head gasket or what??? If anyone knows any sites about replacing the head gasket please let me know because im doing this by myself and I need to know.... I need all the help I can get because this is my only economical ride and right now im SOL... Thanks Alot...

[AudioGuy93DelSol]

Here are the step by step instructions on how to take your head off (Taken from helms. I recommend you have the actual manual in front of you because it includes detailed pictures and diagrams.) Installation is reverse of removal and for torque specs, you need a manual because some engines have different specs than others.
1. Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery.
2. Drain the coolant.
3. Relieve fuel pressure (take the gas cap off)
4. Remove the air flow tube (intake)
5. Remove the fuel feed hose and charcoal canister hose from the intake manifold.
6. Remove the throttle cable at the throttle body.
7. Remove the throttle control cable from the throttle body (A/T only).
8. Remove the fuel return hose and brake booster vacuum hose.
9. Remove the engine wire harness connectors and wire harness clamps from the cylinder head and intake manifold (Basically any hose or plug that’s connected to the intake manifold or head, needs to come off)
10. Disconnect spark plug wires at spark plugs and remove them from the distributor.
11. Remove the engine ground cable on the cylinder head cover.
12. Remove the power steering belt and pump (Do NOT disconnect the hoses)
13. Remove the power steering bracket (4 bolts)
14. Remove the emission vacuum hoses and water bypass hoses from intake manifold assembly (included in step 9)
15. Remove the radiator upper hose and heater hose from the cylinder head (included in step 9)
16. Remove the water bypass hose from the thermostat housing.
17. Remove the intake manifold bracket.
18. Remove the self locking nuts and disconnect the exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe A.
19. Remove the exhaust manifold bracket.
20. Remove the PCV hose, then remove the cylinder head cover.
21. Remove the timing belt upper cover.
22. Loosen the timing belt adjusting bolt 180 degrees to release the belt tension.
23. Push the tensioner to release tension from the timing belt, then retighten the adjusting bolt.
24. Remove the belt from the cam pulley (gear)
25. Remove the cylinder head bolts, then remove the cylinder head (loosen bolts starting from the outside, then coming in).

[JohnnyReb454]

Do I really have to take stuff like the... power steering belt and pump, throttle cable, exhaust manifold bracket to take the head off??? I dunno why you would have too... Just wondering b/c im about to go pull the head off

[CivicSpoon]

Throttle cable for sure will need to come off. But you should be able to see what else needs to be taken off, pretty much anything that is attached to the head that will keep you from freely removing it.

[Volume_Civics]

I've changed my headgasket in my 94 dx two seperate times. With the intake manifold I only unbolted it from the head and pulled the manifold back for me just to have enough room to take of the head. There are alot of steps you can kinda cheat yourself around on.

[lilwhitelude]

Honestly if you never done it,well don't do it without someone assisting you that has.
If leaving the intake on the car while removeing head, be careful. Make sure there are no sensors below the intake that can be injured by the weight of the intake. I busted a $120 knock sensor that way. Im not saying that it cannot be done, just be very careful. Oh yeah be familiar with the marks on the cam gear. DO NOT get the timing belt in the wrong position. You'll end up pulling the head back off to replace all of the valves that you will bend.
Im not big on telling people to jump in and attemp this themselves. There are so many variables to look at. I am a mechanic and have had to work on many of cars that someone has tried to repair themselves. It always cost more when you take a car to the mechanic in peices. So find a friend that has done this stuff before and get his assistance or take it to a mechanic.
hope this helps.
lilwhitelude