The only way to repair the head gasket in an Acura Legend is to install a new head gasket on the cylinder block. You can try to reuse the damaged head gasket, but you will likely run into the same problem you had in the first place. Whether you need to fix it due to an overheated engine, a defective head gasket or an improperly installed component, the procedure requires the removal of most of the car parts located near the engine. Regardless of the type of Acura Legend engine, the procedure is similar in each vehicle with the exception of the tightening sequence.
Make sure the engine is cold before you start working. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Drain the cooling system by placing a clean pan under the radiator and unscrewing the drain plug to allow the coolant to flow. Place another pan beneath the oil reservoir so the engine oil can empty.
Label and ticket every car component situated close to the upper section of the motor. Remove, disconnect, unhook or glide off the various assemblies, belts, covers, cap, mounting bolts, wires and tubes. Remove the intake duct, upper engine cover, spark plug wires, heater hose, canister hose and wires.
Disconnect the various hoses: water bypass hose, vacuum hose connected to the throttle body, positive crankcase ventilation or "VCP" tube, breather tube, brake booster vacuum hose and water bypass hose.
Disconnect the various connectors for the following: fuel injector, engine coolant temperature or "ECT" sensor, intake air temperature or "IAT" sensor, ignition coil, throttle position or "TP" sensor, purge control solenoid valve, manifold absolute pressure or "MAP" sensor and variable valve timing and electronic lift control or "VTEC" solenoid.
Align the crankshaft marks and the camshaft pulley to position the motor to top dead center "TDC." Remove the timing belt, exhaust manifold and camshaft pulley.
Unscrew the cylinder head bolts one-third counterclockwise in the reverse tightening sequence. For the instance, the upper cylinder head bolt number tighten sequence for an Acura Legend with a 1.8-liter B18C1 or B18C5 engine is 9, 5, 1, 3 and 7 and the low cylinder head bolt numbers are 8, 4, 2, 6 and 10. Raise the cylinder head and remove the oil control orifice.
Sanitize the cylinder head, cylinder bolt holes and mating surface. Inspect the cylinder block for cracks, dents, leaks or damage. Position the oil control orifice and install a new head gasket on the cylinder block. Make sure the engine is positioned in TDC. Lower the cylinder head in position.
Lubricate the cylinder head bolts and bolt threads with engine oil. Position and tighten the new bolts in a two-step process. The two long cylinder bolts go in position 1 and 2. Torque bolts to 22 foot-pounds on the first pass. Torque the new bolts to 63 foot-pounds on the second pass.
Position the Acura Legend automotive component back in place in the reverse removal order. Note the tag to help identify individual components. Replace and connect the intake manifold, exhaust manifold, VTEC solenoid connector, accelerator, spark plug wires, ground wire, camshaft pulleys and distributor.
Replace the coolant in the coolant system. Attach the negative battery cable to the battery terminal. Turn the Legend on and let it run for five minutes. Look for leaks.
