Valve seals?

Hello,

1990 Honda Civic. Check engine light came on, starting to bog down on
acceleration. Pulled the plugs, 2 of 4 are dripping oil. I BELIEVE this is
the valve cover gasket leaking.

If so, can anyone tell me how difficult it is as a do it yourself project,
and if I am wrong, what else it could be?

Thanks,

J Hennelly

 

It's more likely the seals for the valve cover's spark plug tubes are leaking
(rather than the valve cover gasket). These spark plug tube seals fit into the
valve cover. With that much leakage, it seems to me you might be able to remove
the valve cover, inspect the holes in it through which the spark plug holders
pass, look for the rubber seals, and see if they're seriously
damaged/deteriorated.

Replacing the valve cover gasket and these spark plug tube seals is not
difficult if you're at all handy. Be careful that the valve cover gasket doesn't
twist as you're installing the valve cover. Make sure you torque down evenly on
the four or so screws that hold the valve cover in place.

Many folks here say to buy only OEM for these seals. The rubber quality is said
to be notably different with non-OEM seals.

www.autozone.com will have a free repair guide for this Civic to do the valve
cover gasket.

I replaced my valve cover gasket, spark plug tube seals, and valve cover screw
grommets on my 1991 Civic over the last two years. No leaks anywhere.

Others will comment on other possible causes, but I'd say this is where you
should start, as the parts are cheap enough, and these seals do fail after a
long while.

 

Thank you very much for the info, I'll give it a try.

Happy Holidays and thanks again.

JH

 

Looked at AUTOZONE, couldn't find the repair guide, if you have a link that
would be great. Also, do I have to remove anything after I get the camshaft
cover off?

Thanks again,

JH

 

Hi,

Here are the directions to get to the free repair guide:

1. Go to www.autozone.com
2. On the left, click on "Repair Info."
3. Again on the left, click on "Vehicle Repair Guides."
4. Click on "1990"
5. Click on "Honda"
6. Click on "Civic"
7. Click on "Engine & Engine Overhaul."
8. Click on "Engine Mechanical."
9. Click on "Cylinder Head Cover."

The cylinder head cover is the same as the valve cover.

On my 1991 Civic, I remove the air cleaner downstream piping before starting, as
the first step at the Autozone site suggests. The point is to disconnect
everything that would keep you from easily lifting off and replacing the valve
cover.

Dunno if you've ever worked with car manuals before, but there's often a little
bit of "playing it by ear" to complete jobs. E.g. you'll have to notice what
screws to remove to disconnect the pipe downstream of the air filter.

If you get stuck somewhere, consider checking the guide's other sections to see
if they'll help. Or ask here.

 

replace both e the upper and lower tube seals. you'll have to
remaove the rocker arm assembly to do it and re adjust the valve lash.
Chip