Head Gasket Replacement on '91 Honda Civic

Step 2 Dig in!

All those hoses and tubes and wires! It's pretty intimidating, isn't it? Before you try to get too deep into it, you will have to get some parts out of your way....for example, removing the exhaust manifold is next to impossible without removing the radiator fans first, and you can't remove the radiator fans without first removing the air intake assembly. So:

1) Remove the large air intake hose from above the radiator fans (easy)

2) Remove the other air intake that joins the air filter box to the carburetor (easy).

3) Mark the spark plug boots and the valve cover and the distributor cap, so you don't have to guess which one goes where, later. Remove the spark plug wires and set aside in a safe place (easy).

4) Put a pan under the radiator hose area and remove the fan brackets, the radiator hose, and the reservoir hose (easy).

5) Gently lift out the driver side fan first....there will likely be a wire that must be disconnected. Watch your knuckles around the radiator fins; they are sharp! Put a bucket underneath to catch your knuckle-blood (not so easy).

6) Gently lift out the other fan....a large harness under and near bottom radiator hose must be disconnected from under the car (you might need extra hands)

7) You don't have to completely disconnect the fans; I didn't. I set them aside near the fuse box.

8) Remove the dipstick.....no, not your helper.....the one in the car (easy). You now have free access to the exhaust manifold.