2002 Honda Civic LX auto - repair & modding

[Daox]

I would imagine the valve thing had to happen after taking the head off since the compression numbers looked pretty good before then.

[Daox]

I picked up the head and control arms the other day and had a bit of time to work on it. The control arms got mounted up, but I still don't have the ball joints yet. They should be in at the end of the week.




I then cleaned up the sealing surface on the block. To do this, I used a knife to get the crusties off, then I went at it with a green scotch brite pad. Lastly, I hit it with some brake cleaner and a clean rag.





Here we have the head. Its a little cleaner now!





And, voala, it fits!

I didn't have time to bolt it back down or anything yet. I also have to adjust the valve clearance. Any idea how often this is supposed to be done? I doubt it ever has been... I will get to that this weekend hopefully.

[sarguy01]

[California98Civic]

Wow. I am doing some of the same work right now. Last night bean checking the valve clearances, and though I only did the #1, I found the exhaust pretty badly out of spec and the intake slightly out. On my car I know it has not been done in at least 110,000 miles, the last time the timing belt was done. The 1996-1998 Honda FSM says every 12 or 15k miles! Bad clearances can screw-up FE and emissions I would bet. So here I go... first time ever. (Btw, cleanup looks great on you machine.)

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Daox

I then cleaned up the sealing surface on the block. To do this, I used a knife to get the crusties off, then I went at it with a green scotch brite pad. Lastly, I hit it with some brake cleaner and a clean rag.

Here we have the head. Its a little cleaner now!

And, voala, it fits!

I didn't have time to bolt it back down or anything yet. I also have to adjust the valve clearance. Any idea how often this is supposed to be done? I doubt it ever has been... I will get to that this weekend hopefully.

Good work!

Are you doing anything about the cracked manifold?

Where did you get the parts from? OEM? I need to get a set of gaskets ordered. I think my car is going under the knife next week...

[Daox]

I have yet to find a good way to get the manifold OUT of the car. There is one bolt/bracket that is holding it on yet and it does not seem easy to get to. I will take it out and weld up the manifold though.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Daox

I have yet to find a good way to get the manifold OUT of the car. There is one bolt/bracket that is holding it on yet and it does not seem easy to get to. I will take it out and weld up the manifold though.

I was wondering if I could weld it in place and use the head as a fixture to keep it from warping. Not sure if that is a good idea or not.

I'm planning to buy 06110-PLD-010 - GASKET KIT, CYLINDER HEAD which should include:
12251-PLC-004 Head Gasket
17055-PLD-004 Intake Mani Gasket
18115-PLC-J01 Exhaust Mani Gasket
12210-PZ1-004 Valve Seal A (x8)
12211-PZ1-004 Valve Seal B (x8)
12342-P2A-005 Spark Plug Tube Seals (x4)
91213-P2F-A01 Camshaft Oil Seal
90442-PLC-000 Rubber grommet-washers for the Valve Cover bolts (x5)
12341-PLC-000 Valve Cover Gasket
19411-PLC-003 Water Passage Gasket

Now that you are "done", is there anything else you think I would need to replace? I think head bolts are needed, but I'm having trouble finding them on Majestic.

[Daox]

Sorry, I forgot to answer that question. I got all my parts from rockauto.com. I have yet to find a place that can beat most of their prices. I am not replacing the head bolts on mine. I've done both on previous engine repairs (used new and reused) and have never had issues. A new set of head bolts seems a bit steep at $55 for a set. I did a search and a lot of guys say they have reused them. I'm also not replacing a lot of the gaskets either. I've never had issues reusing an exhaust manifold gasket. If the intake or coolant passage leaks, I'll put some rtv on it. I know its cheap, but I've also done it before and it works fine.

Here is my parts list:
head gasket
timing belt, idler & water pump
spark plugs (iridium)
valve cover gasket
control arm bushings
camshaft seal
front motor mount
accessory belt (2)
oil filter
ball joints
cabin air filter
intake air filter

The total for all that was $216 shipped.

[Daox]

I'm not done yet, but I think the rest I'll get locally. I think the only thing left on my list after that is replacing the tranny fluid.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Daox

Sorry, I forgot to answer that question. I got all my parts from rockauto.com. I have yet to find a place that can beat most of their prices. I am not replacing the head bolts on mine. I've done both on previous engine repairs (used new and reused) and have never had issues. A new set of head bolts seems a bit steep at $55 for a set. I did a search and a lot of guys say they have reused them. I'm also not replacing a lot of the gaskets either. I've never had issues reusing an exhaust manifold gasket. If the intake or coolant passage leaks, I'll put some rtv on it. I know its cheap, but I've also done it before and it works fine.

Here is my parts list:
head gasket
timing belt, idler & water pump
spark plugs (iridium)
valve cover gasket
control arm bushings
camshaft seal
front motor mount
accessory belt (2)
oil filter
ball joints
cabin air filter
intake air filter

The total for all that was $216 shipped.

OK thanks.


I ended up getting:
12251-PLC-004 GASKET, CYLINDER HEAD (NIPPON LEAKLESS)
90005-PM3-003 BOLT-WASHER (10X140)
17055-PLD-004 GASKET, FR. INJECTOR BASE (NIPPON LEAKLESS)
18115-PLC-J01 GASKET, EX. MANIFOLD (ISHINO GASKET)
15825-P2M-005 FILTER ASSY., SPOOL VALVE

Since many items out of the kit wouldn't be used (I just did the timing belt last year and replaced valve cover gaskets, so I think they are still fine).

I'm not comfortable reusing the head bolts, so I got those too. Even OEM parts from Honda, it's only $128 shipped. Dealer quoted me ~$1400 for the job... yeah... no sale.