valves

[86allday]

ok, my valves tick really loud after about 20 mins of driving. mostly when i am just cruising in 4th gear at 2000 rpms. i have a major oil leak and i dont have the time or money to fix it. BROKE COLLEGE STUDENT! could that be the low oil, thats why it ticks so loud? i need this car for school and it sucks. could anyone help me please

[wed3k]

adjusting the valves is free, how bout them apples?

[JDMDriver]

If you dont have the money to fix it i suggest you shouldn't be driving it.

I dont mean to sound mean, but if you don't use the car (even if it requires a repair) you will prevent any or further damage from occuring.

Persisting to use a vehicle which you cannot afford to service or repair spells trouble and can only add more to your existing repairs list.

If you continue to drive it (and break something, or wear something beyond repair) you will only dig a deeper hole that would be harder to get out of.

Valves ticking
--------------

Low oil can cause the valves to tick as they are not getting enough lubrication.

Checking the oil is as easy as pulling the oil check dip stick (its free).

I would check and add oil first if it is low.

Make sure its the appropriate viscosity (check your manual)


Valve Adjustment
-----------------

Adjusting them is inexpensive however inexpensive does not mean free.

You may need new head gaskets if the existing ones are not good enough to re-use once disturbed

You may need new top oil tube seals if the existing ones are not good enough to re-use once disturbed

You may need to buy Honda bond (or gasket maker) for the extra security of having good seal.

You will need to borrow or buy a torque wrench for tightening the rocker cover gasket.

Oil Leak
--------

This can come from many locations. We need more information or a picture of your oil leaks.

Is it behind the engine, near the distributor or on the side of the timing belt?

Depending on which side it would help narrow down the source/cause and assist us in providing you with useful advise.

[415cb7]

You may need new head gaskets if the existing ones are not good enough to re-use once disturbed

I think you mean valve cover gasket. You don't need a head gasket if you're just adjusting the valves.

[AaronRVegas]

I think you mean valve cover gasket. You don't need a head gasket if you're just adjusting the valves.

i am sure he did mean valve cover gasket. he is from australia and they use different words for different things there. he may also have just mistyped it.

i was going to say the same thing, that he would probably need a valve cover gasket and tube seals. you can get a kit for all of them for like $25 or so from an aftermarket store, although they may be shitty quality.

jdm is also correct about not being able to afford to fix your car. unless you absolutely MUST drive it, i would let it sit until you get $50 or $100 to put into it.

you will need some tools you might not have, and probably a friend to help you. and also preferable a garage to do the work, especially if you have never done it before, as it can be quite tedious and time consuming for a first timer.


@wed -- he will need feeler gauges too, which i doubt he has and although cheap are not free :P

[86allday]

well i HAVE to drive the car, i cant miss my classes, they started today. so i might as well as just start to invest in a new engine cuz there is no way i can make time to fix it. and it leaks oil everywhere you mentioned, as of what i can see. and i HAVE checked the dipstick and it shows it has some oil in it, a lil bit above empty. and i have a full tank of gas and i want to try and use seafoam for my car. i know i am goin to have to change my oil but will having a full tank of gas be a problem? i wanna know before i go and take it

[old honda tek]

why would you waste your money on seafoam, if there is oil at the bottm of the dipstick go buy a quart or two of oil and top it off .when the oil is full on the stick start it up and listen for the noise ,you might have scored a piston from running it low on oil . the noise yu might be hearing is piston slap....

[86allday]

the reason i wanted to get seafoam is because it just restores some of the engine and makes it drive a lil better. my motor has 300000 miles. thats why i asked

[deevergote]

Actually, seafoam will very likely deteriorate your already failing seals... it will make the engine die faster.

Nothing in a bottle is going to fix your engine. Fix it properly, don't drive it, or prepare to tow your car and replace your engine when it blows.


There are things wrong with your car that are going to take time and money to repiar or replace (including the car itself). There is no way around that. Find a way to do what you need to do. We'll help you as much as we can. Otherwise, cross your fingers and hope for the best!

[86allday]

alright, im sad now hahaha but thanks for the advice man.