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So, I have a 2000 Honda civic DX. We removed the head gasket and there was coolant around the heads in the rings that you can see in the link below (this is just a picture from google not mine). http://loughlinfamily.com/blog/uploa...ic9-733080.JPG

I want to know if there is not supposed to be coolant there and do we need to get it out? If there isn't then it must have been a pretty bad leak.

 
Rep Power: 313

I don't totally understand what you are trying to say there but coolant is supposed to be in the water jackets around the cylinders, but not in the cylinders themselves.

 
Rep Power: 189

If you drained the coolant prior to taking the head off and there is coolant down around where the pistons are then that is a bad leak that you are dealing with, as mentioned by tbohar, Either way make sure that the head and block are not warped prior to replacing the head gasket and also make sure that you are using new head bolts, the old ones stretch overtime causing the head gaskets to blow stretch them to much and they tend to break off. Make sure that all surfaces are both clean and dry prior to install.

 
Rep Power: 313

Don't forget too when you remove the head sometimes coolant leaks into the cylinders just from head removal. Honda head bolts don't need to be replaced every time. They aren't stretch install like many other manufacturers. If you remove the head a second or third time change the bolts. Save yourself the money and keep the originals for now.

To properly drain the coolant before head removal you actually have to pull the drain plug thats directly above the oil filter, thats the head drain. If you didnt do that that explains the coolant in your cylinders.

 
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Yeah we drained the coolant and oil, and we are going to take the head to a machine shop to be checked. Also I want to explain the original problem further. The car was overheating and it did not feel like there was any coolant moving through the hoses like they were pressurizing. Could that be because the leak was soo bad at the gasket or could the water pump be out? Also should the thermostat be replaced as well as it could be damaged from overheating.

Thanks.

 
Rep Power: 189

The rad cap is what keeps pressure in the system if it were pushing combustion gases into the coolant it would overheat the water pump does not generate pressure so if you had no pressure in the coolant lines then the rad cap would be suspect. if you have the head off then I would replace the thermostat just because its easier that way and just as well to do it while your working on the car. In your case its an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure, anything that you can replace at this time is a good idea.

 
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I am tempted to replace the timing belt and water pump as well but would like to save money if possible.

 
Rep Power: 189

well I would most certianly replace the timing belt, if you are pressed for cash then just check the bearing in the water pump, and if they are good then skimp there but please don't do a new head gasket and reuse the timing belt, the only time I have done that is when the belt is damn near new which usually is not the case. Its cheap insurance of doing the job right the first time and with these engines being an interference engine I would not want to take the chance on it snapping and bending valves up or worse on you.

 
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Is there a recommended DIY post for replacing the head gasket? My civic is having the issue mentioned above in the post. Thanks.

 
Rep Power: 511

I was going to make a DIY guide for changing a HG, but ¼ of the way through, I figure you gotta have an idea of how to work under the hood to replace your HG. There is, however, a thread with a parts list that I made and tbohar contributed to. since you have an 02 (assuming your profile is correct) it's applicable to you. There's also some good tips and stuff in that thread.

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/3...arts-list.html

 
Rep Power: 189

download the manual in my sig it has a complete breakdown on the procedure in there. You will need winace or some other program to unzip it and adobe acrobat reader to read it since its in pdf format.

 
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Thanks for the site. That is great stuff!!!!!!!!