Rep Power: 0

Ok to start, I own an 03 civic base model. I have ac and electronic locks but manual windows. It currently has around 195000km on the dash.
I bought the car about a year ago and havent had any problems except my sway arms which I replaced.
Yesterday, I drove to work no problems but on my way home any time I was under 4000 rpm the heat guage would start to climb rapidly and so ive been forced to run my car in the higher rpms then I would normally. Ive read manyyyy threads and most with my issue have been a toast head gasket. What other symptoms should I be looking for? Is it possible its my water pump? How difficult is it to change the whole engine versus the head gasket, pump, timing belt and tensioner? If I go the route of the gasket, is there other things I should change out too? Anything else you gurus of these cars could lend me in my pursuit of knowledge is greatly appreciated.

I plan to start work on it on friday morning around 5 am, advice and things I should try before enter the dragons den of tearing it apart is also appreciated.

 
Rep Power: 209

chances are its your head gasket,

is your overflow bottle filling up with coolant?

that is the number one sign of head gasket failure,

 
Rep Power: 0

Yes, the over flow bottle has twice theamount of fluid its supposed to have in it. How do I tell what motor I have ? Single oh or dounble and all that? Its a replaced hood, so no stickers.

Andddd I cant upload pictures..ugh. any help guys?

 
Rep Power: 209

that is for sure a faulty head gasket,

i would repair the motor you have, not replace it, the "new' motor you buy could easily develop these same symptoms very quickly

 
Rep Power: 0

How can I find out the information on my motor?

 
Rep Power: 517

Engine code is stamped into the front of the flat pad here:




Yours will probably say D17A1
SOHC, non-VTEC