New face checking in, questions also!

[CB7dummy]

Hey everyone, I just bought a 92 Accord over the weekend, and thought I'd join the forums and get to know some peoples. That, and ask dumb questions :P

So, let me start out by saying, I have close to no mechanical knowledge about cars. I get some of the theories behind how stuff works, but I've never really gotten my hands dirty, so to speak.

Anyways, the Accord smokes for a few minutes when it starts up and then it'll run fine. I saw oil and gunk around the valve cover, and so I decided to take off the cover and put a new gasket on. so i bought the gasket set, and set about disconnecting the plug wires, only to find them covered in oil. I looked around a bit and found a how-to thread on replacing the plug tube seals, and began the project today. However, I have a few questions about the process.

So far, I have successfully removed the valve cover, and rocker assembly, and replaced the spark plugs with new ones. However, when I went to replace the rocker assembly, it doesn't want to seat correctly. Am I just being to gentle, and need to tap it into place with a hammer, or is there some trick to getting it to align properly?

My second question is about checking valve clearance. when I do it, I need to put each cylinder at TDC on the compression to check its corresponding valve clearance, right? Also, it looks pretty cramped in there, I'm not sure how to get to the crankshaft so I can rotate it.

Thanks in advance for all the help, and I'm sure I'll have more noob questions to answer :P

[ErwinM619]

if u take off ur driver side front wheel there will be a hole in the wheel well that will give u the access to turn ur crank pulley u might have to use an extension for ur ratchet

[CB7dummy]

oh, ok. Thanks

[CB7 EX]

I had the same problem with a 90 accord that I had. it would leak oil into the spark plugs. the only thing I did was replace the gasket and o rings but before the i made sure that all the oil was remove from the spark plug area. I sprayed it with some carb cleaner put the plugs in and wires and let it run for a while the car quit smokin.

[CB7lx91]

cb7dummy -


make sure when turning your crank pulley to "loosen it". The engine spins counter clockwise, so take your 1/2" ratchet and your 19mm socket and set your ratchet to "loosen" and then turn the crank.

[CB7dummy]

Alrighty, time for an update.

I got the rocker assembly back together, and I think I did the valve clearance checky thing right *fingers crossed*

It's all back together except for the plug wires, because it got dark on me, so I'll finish it tomorrow morning since I have the rest of the week off.

Just out of curiosity though, what happens if the valve clearance is off?

Also, thanks for the advice, it really helped speed things up

[jst_4_kiks]

Alrighty, time for an update.

I got the rocker assembly back together, and I think I did the valve clearance checky thing right *fingers crossed*

It's all back together except for the plug wires, because it got dark on me, so I'll finish it tomorrow morning since I have the rest of the week off.

Just out of curiosity though, what happens if the valve clearance is off?

Also, thanks for the advice, it really helped speed things up

just make sure you dont cross the wire on the number 3 or 4 plugs. the wires are nearly the same length (easy to mix up and have the engine run crappy) just a precaution, don't want to make you feel like a total noob to car repairs

[CB7dummy]

Well, I got it all back together and it started right up!

sooo, hopefully I didn't screw anything up, and the seals work :P

[dandroz240]

wow, good job man!!!

[piwko4me]

Just wanted to say congrats on your new purchase.