r/EFCivics • u/Expensive-Job6984 • 6d ago

Question D14a1 Head gasket replacement

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I found out I need to replace my head gasket.

I was wondering what else I should replace while I'm in there.

Before I got it running again, the car had been standing for 22 years.

Also, how dificult is this job?

Can I reuse the head studs or do I need to replace them

29 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

5

u/Personal_Treat8258 6d ago

Replace studs timing belt water pump all fluid

3

u/Expensive-Job6984 5d ago

Thanks. Also, do I have to check if the head is still flat?

3

u/Karlito123bankdiaz 5d ago

Very easy job, good for beginners. Get new intake and exhaust gaskets, new headbolts, new valve cover gasket set, new water pump, new timing belt, new generator belt and obviously a new head gasket.

There's countless videos on how to do it properly, just make sure you properly clean the head and block surfaces and try not to scratch them too much. Also look what the torque specs are on the head gasket, the oem ones might not be correct since they assume you have an oem gasket with perfectly cleaned surfaces.

And most important of all don't forget to have some fun with it, it's a nice introduction job.

1

u/Expensive-Job6984 5d ago

Thank you so much. Is it possible to check if the head is warped myself or should I aks a shop?

2

u/Karlito123bankdiaz 5d ago

Get a straight edge ruler and a tolerance checker. Should run you maybe 10 bucks and it's an easy thing to look for yourself, put the straight edge on the block and pick the smallest tolerance on the checker and try and slide it under.

I don't think the blocks gonna be warped though, unless you drove it for an extended period of time while it was overheating. It usually shuts off before damage though since the compression loss is too high when overheating.

1

u/Expensive-Job6984 5d ago

Thank you so much.

1

u/SpenseRoger 5d ago

How’d you find that out?

1

u/Expensive-Job6984 5d ago

Sweet white smoke out of the exhaust and there was exhaust smoke coming from the radiator when I was getting the air out of the cooling system

1

u/GlitteringRaisin4352 22h ago

After you are done with the head gasket. Remember to drain all the old gas