wardhaines

For those of you who have had to, did the head require machining?

I have water being blown out of the coolent overflow so I will need to at least replace the gasket.

The dealership gave me the "you probably need the head replaced since machining an aluminum head rarely works......" and quoted 3 times the cost of what a head and gasket set can be gotten for.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

almost always it will. the head can usually be machined within spec and work fine. just take it to a machine shop and have them do the works (compression test, cleaning, milling, etc) for maybe $150. but it may not even be the headgasket. what other signs do you have, aside from coolant spilling from the tank? that could be caused by other issues too. did the car ever overheat, do the cooling fans work, is there any white smoke or white deposits on the spark plugs, is there air in the cooling system...

04 Honda Civic

iTrader: (2)

When mine was blown they never had to do anything to it. Just needed a new gasket. I think its hit or miss.. But in any case the head needs to be pulled..so why not spend extra $100 or so to get it compression tested and checked for warpage?

Hondaguy89

Is replacing a head gasket hard to do in these cars? Mine isnt blown, but it has happened in the past in another car. It is an SOHC engine so maybe its not too hard, or expensive? For those that have done it, what is the average cost?

04 Honda Civic

iTrader: (2)

Average cost is around $800-$1200 its not hard, but it is very time consuming work. You have to remove alternator ps and all that fun stuff motor mount valve cover tb cam..lots to remove.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

yeah almost everything in the bay comes out, and you need to know how stuff goes back and the torque values for alot of different bolts. also how to time the engine.

04 Honda Civic

iTrader: (2)

If you have never done a timing belt before, I reccomend you either get help from someone who knows what they are doing, or take it to a shop.

Hondaguy89

Ok, thanks guys. So, maybe its good preventative maintenance to replace the headgasket when replacing the timing belt/water pump? Again, I dont have any problems, just curious because the belt will need to be replaced about 10,000 miles down the road.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

No not really, the headgasket is way more work than just changing a timing belt. and no reason to change something thats not broken. you need alot more parts and time to do the gasket.

wardhaines

hondaguy - You don't want to do a head gasket if you don't have to.
Believe me, it isn't as fun as it sounds.
It's not difficult but time consuming.

Gearbox - Those prices were close to what I found locally. I went ahead with a rebuilt for $340, deilvered from the "net".

TRIZ

iTrader: (14)

I got a D17 full head gasket kit if your going to do, so get at me- I'm not going to use it.

wardhaines

Well it is done.
I replaced the gasket/head, timing belt/idler and water pump for a total purchase price of just under $800 plus about 32 hours of work. It would probably take me a little less time if I had to do it again but I hope I never have to find out.
It is running great and I am not losing any water. Woo Hoo!!

In the attached photo you can see where the #4 cylinder sleeve overall has a lot of corrosion on the top and a lot toward the intake side. I think that is where the exhaust was forcing its way into the water passage.

T.j. Sturm

You did the work yourself....how did it still cost so much?!?

Colin42

thread was 8 years ago....

BrotatoChip

Using Honda genuine parts only it's nearly $600.

Timing belt: $40
Tensioner kit: $140
Water pump: $110
Head gasket: $50
Head bolts: $90
Head machining: $100
Coolant: $50

ezone

Scratch those head bolts off the list, save $$
May want a few other gaskets as well

BrotatoChip

Shoot, you're correct. I thought the D headbolts were TTY like the K series, I should've checked first. Every time I pull the head on a K series I have to replace the headbolts.

Julz.vanj

In the past month i have done 4 or 5 head gasket replacements now. All done on my own vehicle,1998 civic ex with a d15block and a y8 head.. reason is because my first time. But i noticed after each one, it took less and less time. Just last night i had to pull the head gasket again cause i blew it coming home from work. This time it took only 30 mins to completely take off the gasket. It is time consuming at first, but now its a snap...