ok, I'm almost 100% sure it's the head gasket. It started overheatng last week, but only for one day, then it stopped and as been running fine for a few days, but my overflow tank keeps on filling up and overflowing a little, not a lot, but the car isn't overheating. Also, every time I take off the radiator cap, it lets out a lot of pressure. I'm also finding oil in my overflow tank. I have the factory manual on CD, and it looks like a BIG job to remove the head. this blows!

 

Nah, head removal is pretty easy actually. Just get a nice sharp knife... Alright that was a retarded joke, but realy it's not difficult even if it's your first time changing the headgasket. Probably will take you an afternoon, but it's no big deal.

 

I don't know how to adjust my timing, and I have to take off my belt, is that going to be a problem? and I have to get this thing done asap b/c I'm driving from Michigan to Kansas...next week

 

On a SOHC? D16z6 is what your sig. say's, but no it's easy as hell. You'll be able to have it running again in 1 day.

 

do I need the whole head gasket kit for like $105, or jsut the head gasket for like $30? also I need to take off my turbo and all that crap too don't I?

 

just the HG.

 

how do you know if no.1 piston is at top dead center? and how do you relieve the fuel pressure?

 

better if you buy the entire kit and change at the same time the intake header gasket and all the other ones as well. when you removing the head try to do everything proper bcaus it sucks to do job twice

 

the steps are pretty simple on a SOHC, I changed mine in about 2.5 hours. Just make sure you set it at TDC, to do so you will need find the marking on the crank pully(it will have a white dot)find it and line it up with the pointer found on the lower timing belt cover. Asuming you removed the valve cover, line up the markings on your cam spocket using your manual. My method is to remove the plug on the no.1 cylinder(closest to the timing belt)and take a long screw driver or extension and stick it down in there, as you crank the motor by hand, the screwdriver should move up, stop, then down, the point where it slightly stops is TDC. slip off the timing belt, remove the dizzy, head bolts and all the hoses,sensors and fuel line that attaches the head to the block or anything else, don't forget the intake manifold bracket, you need to get under the car for this, two bolts, 10mm or 12mm I forget. the head and inake manifold will come off as a unit. Just follow the manual and have a freind help, you can do it. any one have something to add if I missed anything