DIY Head Gasket write up??? - Honda Prelude Forum

Mikeman101 · 10-20-2008, 08:53 PM

Hey guys. A short while ago I started getting a lot of oil in my coolant overflow tank. So I figured that I need a new head gasket. I have plans on having a shop rebuild the engine down the road but I can't afford that right now. So right now I was going to replace the head gasket on my own over this long Minnesota winter that's coming up.

I was wondering, has anyone seen any good head gasket replacement write up's anywhere? I searched the forums and checked the stickies and couldn't find anything anywhere. I have the service manual for the 97-99 preludes and they seem to have a lot of unnecessary steps, such as taking apart the head, for getting to the head gasket.

Anyone seen anything?

SNsLude · 10-20-2008, 09:04 PM

what? What do you mean unecessary steps? Do you think there is some magical way of removing the head gasket without taking the head off?

Mikeman101 · 10-20-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNsLude

what? What do you mean unecessary steps? Do you think there is some magical way of removing the head gasket without taking the head off?

I know full well that removing the head is a necessary step in getting to and replacing the head gasket, obviously. However I question taking the head apart as the service manual suggests, such as removing the cams and what not.

EDIT: I guess removing the cams is a necessary step to get to the head bolts. It would still be nice if anyone has done this previously and taken some pictures along the way.

SNsLude · 10-21-2008, 10:38 PM

Search... its been done at least as many times Lindsay Lohan has shown us her nipples.

97VTEC_SH · 10-21-2008, 11:24 PM

thanks im off to google lindsey lohans nipples lol

petern101 · 10-22-2008, 12:03 AM

If you have the service manual (I assume helms) what more do you need?

Mikeman101 · 10-22-2008, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petern101

If you have the service manual (I assume helms) what more do you need?

I like to see the pictures of the parts themselves and their relative location in the engine bay.

Solid · 10-22-2008, 12:29 PM

You don't have to take apart the head, but it makes it much easier if you don't have the equipment.

Most shops can take the head off with the IM and everything else in place. If you don't have experience working on engines or honda engines, then a head gasket replacement may be too much for you.

The HELMS manual is pretty much the bible for Preludes and has great information for any repair. Sometimes they do things the long way though.

petern101 · 10-22-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikeman101

I like to see the pictures of the parts themselves and their relative location in the engine bay.

There is a blow up of the engine in front part (at least for mine).

But I agree, if you really need that detailed of instructions, I would take it somewhere or to someone to deal with.

Solid · 10-22-2008, 01:49 PM

Yea, it is better to pay for something once rather than twice.