ikata

I was changing the spark plugs today and noticed that #s 3 and 5 have oil on the ceramic insluation. I am assuming leaking spark plug seals!? Are these pretty straightforward to replace as on other Hondas or are there any tricks on the Legend i need to know before i tare down the valve cover?

Also do you guys have to remove the strutbar to change the two plugs closest to the firewall? It seems like you wouldn't have to but i cannot get the coils to clear.

N.

 

AznLegendCpe

i dunno wat causes the oil to be on the spark plug, i have the same problem on my 90 ls cpe. i was changed plugs every few months untill i started using valvoline max life products into the cpe and noticed that there wasnt oil on the plugs anymore. i guessed in my case that the seals or gaskets was pretty warn.

for the strutbar question. yes we all have to unbolt the bar and push it out of the way to pull out the coil pack. well as far as i know with my 91 cpe and my bro 94GS

steamyz

It's the muffler bearing!

joeman

No, (I'm assuming you mean the stock one) but it helps to loosen it...

It sounds like you have leaking valve seals, allowing oil to seep into your combustion chamber when it has been sitting for awhile~ you will have oil on the plugs. Do you have smoke coming out your exhaust when you first start the car? Does your car use alot of oil?

__________________

99 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4... 1 of 263 produced


TT/AWD/6 spd/ 5Zigen FN01RC, roller bearing SS, Passport SR1, HIDs, LEDs, custom berber mats, Alpine IVA-D300, MP3 changer, 2000 watts custom plexi & neon Alpine rack /2x Brahma 10's, Seas Lotus, SQL setup, 20% F1 Tint, Tein Flex, Maximal Adj C arms, Greddy BOV, 3SX poly mounts, Carbotech/Hawk/SS lines, DR-650 turbos, next... 19x10 RH J5 Pro

ikata

joeman, the oil is on the top part of the plug (the ceramic insulator) and it is there before i remove it from the head. There is no way that oil from the combustion chamber will seep through the threads. It has to come from the top and the only way i can see this happening is if either the plug seals between the valve cover and the head or the small rubber O-rings between the rocker arm assembly and the head are leaking. On Accords and Civics the first are usually easy to replace; the second - a PITA. I was just checking if anybody had any other suggestion and/or experience with changing these. Thanks for the input as always. The muffler bearing one was especially useful :p Seriously though... AznLegendCpe's case is consistent with leaking seals. That valvoline max stuff is supposed to tighten up the seals. I think i'd rather change mine and stick with synthetic. Thanks again!

DJPolak

yup its the seals just get new ones and at the same time change your valve cover gasket Easy thing to do it takes me maybe and 40 min per cover

__________________
http://home.comcast.net/~nosferatu2xlc/94LS.jpg
Sarasota FL
91 Gold Sedan L sold
94 Green Sedan LS sold
94 Milano Red Coupe LS sold

WTB G2 6spd LS coupe

Hotstartup

why woudl it not be the rings that are causing this? why is everyone thinking its the valve seal? also dont the spark plugs have "pockets" (this is what the dealer told me) which might have a leak and thus are causing oil ont he plugs?

MikeD

Ikata at 1st I´d like to know where you got the oil? Outside or inside your spark plugs?

Outside:
If the oil on the removed spark plug was on the outside top of the plug, you probably have a leaky valve cover gasket. If your car has not been tuned up recently, you may be ready for a major tune-up and compression check

Inside:
It would appear from what you described that the rings and/or valve stem seals have failed in the cylinder with the spark plug that was covered in oil.


Yes, we all have to unbolt the bar to get the coils out. That´s just 6 bolts - not more, ok? -Mike

BTW: Here a link with useful info... [Spark Plug Diagnosis] Good luck! -Mike

Tinkindling

The dealer gave you a line of crap. If the plugs leaked like that, there'd be very serious problems with how the engine runs.

The oil is on the top of his plugs, and it leaks into the "well" that the plugs sit in in the valve cover.

__________________
92 LS Coupe
83,000 Miles & Counting
Stock except
-GS RIMS
-Clear Bumpers

Jetdoc

Autozone sells a Felpro gasket set that includes the valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals. p/n VS50448R. $35.99. I used this set to correct the same problem.

Hotstartup

i am talking about oil on the threads of the plug, thats whats happening on my car.

joeman

Do a compression check, then you will know. The valve seals are a much more common place to leak than the rings. If your rings were bad you would have all sorts of other problems, cuz your compression would leak right down into your crank case.

__________________

99 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4... 1 of 263 produced


TT/AWD/6 spd/ 5Zigen FN01RC, roller bearing SS, Passport SR1, HIDs, LEDs, custom berber mats, Alpine IVA-D300, MP3 changer, 2000 watts custom plexi & neon Alpine rack /2x Brahma 10's, Seas Lotus, SQL setup, 20% F1 Tint, Tein Flex, Maximal Adj C arms, Greddy BOV, 3SX poly mounts, Carbotech/Hawk/SS lines, DR-650 turbos, next... 19x10 RH J5 Pro

Hotstartup

i had a compression test done last year, all the cylniders were arnd 180 i think

Hotstartup

what kind of other problems would i have if my rings were worn?

Jetdoc

Blue exaust smoke. Some loss of power.