Well, it does sound like the head gasket is blown. Do yourself a favor and download the 96-98 Civic manual at the Manuals link in my signature. Go to the Engine chapter and the Cylinder Head/Valve Train subsection. Follow all directions carefully. Have the head/block milled if they are not perfectly flat.

 

Thanks.. I down loaded that the first time I saw one of your responses. LOL Also I was looking at prices on NAPA for belts. Do I have an interferrance engine? Also it shows diffrent part #'s for power st. belt, A/C/ belt, and on and on. I thought it was just one belt besides the timing ?

 

It's an interference engine. Click here for a good link to changing the timing belt. The drive belts are different. Click here for genuine Honda parts at discount prices.

 

Is it really neccesary to remove the bumper?

 

It would probably make the job easier by creating more working space; however, I have done the job twice without removing the bumper.

 

i've never removed the bumber

 

Im trying to buy the crank pulley tool locally, only the parts store told me their tool measures 1 3/4" wide and told me to measure mine because there is another tool. Mine measures at 2".. Any help...

 

 

I looked at the one at the parts store and in was 1/4 " too small. I see a bunch on E-bay but They all say they are 50mm ??? Plaease help

 

i have never used that tool i usually either have somebody put car in reverse(mt) and hold brake pedal hard as possible and break bolt loose or on a (mt) i take the dust cover off the bottom of trans and use a pair of vice grips and lock them really tight and then break nut loose.


also 50mm = 2 inches..... well 1.968504 inches close enough