OK guys, I'm new here so sorry if I'm posting in the wrong spot. I just got a 1995 Honda Civic DX, or what I was told. I was also told it was a VTec how ever it does not say any where on the car that it is a VTec. Starting off, I got the car, drove it and it was ok. I was told it had an over heating problem but I would be able to drive it daily. That was not true, I left from buying it and over heated about 5 miles down the road. Spitting coolant from the over flow. I got it back home and then replaced the over flow and noticed that the fans were not coming on when I was over heating. I got the fans working. I also noticed white smoke coming from the exhaust. I'm assuming that is due to a blown head gasket. What I'm needing to know is what can I do, how hard is it to replace the head gasket. I have already got the haynes repair manual. Just needing some inside help here. I really know nothing about these cars and I have been out of a shop for a long time now. Thank you for your help.

 

ok never mind, there was a post right below mine that had the same problem..Should have read a little

 

If it's the stock engine then it's not vtec. Sounds like someone took you to the cleaners.

 

Fans not coming on sounds like a simply fix. It usually is, however, if it is let go, or unnoticed it can ruin everything.

I am sure there are a few DIY guides. For a first timer, plan to spend most of a weekend on this. Get yourself a torque wrench, too. You may want to check the head for levelness, too.

You could also just pull the entire motor out of the car and replace it.