Rep Power: 0

So the $500 '02 EX Coupe, automatic I bought is approaching fair market value 😡 No maintenance history came with the car & basically, it's had a different owner every year for about the last 10 years. The car has about 167,000 miles on it.

I had a Timing Belt, Waterpump, Crank & Cam Seal, Sparkplug tune up done on the car. Upon picking up the car, I was told the number two sparkplug port was wobbly (I was guessing this is the misfire code I thought I was going to correct). So, I start investigating a Helicoil option & other issues that need to be addressed on the car. Sounds like a good plan so far.

Now, upon taking the car in for suspension work I asked about the oil or transmission drips I'm seeing in the parking space. The technician now informs me the headgasket is leaking externally. 😡 But, at the same time, it makes my deci$ion easier. Junkyard Cylinder Head.

Whats everyone's consensus on a Junkyard cylinder head? What would everyone recommend replacing on a junkyard cylinder head?
- Valve Seals?
- Valve Guides?

What would everyone recommend for a cylinder head gasket?
- I'm leaning towards a Genuine (dealership) Honda gasket.

What about cylinder head bolts? Reuse the old ones? Buy new ones? What brand?

What other gaskets would everyone recommend? What brand of gaskets?

I've got 2 junkyard ignition coils coming with the cylinder head.

FYI, the car is here in South Korea with me, so I've been taking it to a shop & there is a language barrier here.

 
Rep Power: 211

Very rare for these engines to leak oil through a breached head gasket. Get a large piece of cardboard, place it under car and let the engine idle for 20 minutes. Check cardboard for oil stain locations. If no stains seen place cardboard back under engine, shut the engine off and check carboard again after an hour or more.
In either case if you see stains on the cardboard correlate their location under the engine to find out where they may be emitting from. Take pics and post here.

Junkyard cylinder is an option but since you don't know the history of a junkyard car there could possibly be cracks in the head, could be past the point (marker on head) that it can no longer be milled (machine shop) past to get it back into spec tolerance for straightness/flatness.

Cylinder heads are sold refurbished online (in the US, anyway) on eBay and other sites. The refurbishing should include: ensuring no cracks, no valve leaks, hot-tank cleaned, usually new valve stem seals, springs tested for tension, and milled for flatness.
However, you should get a second opinion on supposed oil leak from headgasket, as well as use cardboard as mentioned above.

​​​​​​Use Honda genuine OEM parts. Cost a bit more but will fit better and last longer than aftermarket parts. Can reuse bolts.



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Rep Power: 368

head gasket - OEM
bolts - no need, they are not stretch type
valve seals and stuff are the most painful, so yes