92' honda accord problems

[alex_n/a]

here is the car to begin with


this is my dads car, but I usually do all the repairs unless I don't know how to. This past week has been one problem after another.

1st problem: leaks oil somewhere around the oil filter.

2nd problem: problem with cold weather starts

3rd problem: battery drains if not driven almost daily

4th problem: random power loss on gauges (rpm and speedo)

So I tackle the first problem first, turns out the oil pressure sensor is leaking, so I buy a new one. I needed to buy two sockets. 1 24mm deep socket and 1 22mm deep socket, why? because the new one and old one are different sizes.... why? i have no idea. I get it installed and walla, no more leaks

the next day I try to turn on the car but nothing (2nd problem cold starts)

time to fix problem 2. I suspect it's the distributor cap and rotor. I remove it and it is pretty nasty in there. I buy new parts and get them installed pretty quick. I go to start the car but my battery is dead..... luck me my car is next to the honda so I just try to jump start it. still nothing. it will almost start but it dies instantly.

I remove the 2 spark plugs closest to the passenger side and they appear okay. just some carbon build up like normal. I then remove the other two and they came out soaking in oil :'(

this is my theory on what happened. there had always been a very tiny amount of oil leaking into the spark plug well (not inside the combustion chamber) but because of the leaking oil pressure sensor it wasn't noticeable or even a major problem. once I fixed the leak the oil looked for another way out and it went into the spark plug well. so when I removed the spark plugs the oil drained into the combustion chamber. this would be good because then I only need a valve gasket kit and not a complete gasket kit.

any insight from those who have rebuild engines would be appreciated. I'm not sure weather I should try the valve gasket kit before I take the entire engine apart.

cliff notes
1st problem: leaks oil somewhere around the oil filter.
fixed

2nd problem: problem with cold weather starts
might be fixed if the problem was the distributor

3rd problem: battery drains if not driven almost daily
will be getting a new battery once fixed so I don't kill the new one right away

4th problem: random power loss on gauges (rpm and speedo)
I believe this is related to the distributor and or battery

5th problem: oil in two spark plug wells, might be draining into chamber
not sure what to do for now

my dad currently has my explorer for work, and I am DD the rx7. The honda can sit for as long as I don't have problem with my rx7.


too large of a post? maybe

[RX-7 Chris]

First of all I think problem 3 and 4 are the same. Most likely a wiring short. It is possible for problem 2 to also be connected. I don't think that the distributer would cause the battery to drain, it shouldn't have any power to it when the car is shut off.

I would replace the battery cables. Also look at the coil.

Do you have wireing diagrams for this car?

[chromal]

1991 Honda Accord Service Manual can be found at: http://hondatech.info/downloads/Auto/Manuals/Accord/

Consider double-checking that the under-dash fuse no 1 and 2 are OK. Speedo going out sounds very similar to a problem I had in July on my '98 Civic, a short to ground on the speed sensor harness wire resulted in blowing that fuse (which also had the alternator charging circuit (field coil?)). It resulted in a CEL with 'load sensor' and HO2 trouble codes, a randomly fluctuating speedometer, pulsing dash indicators and headlights, low voltage (11.5-12.5v) at battery while running...

[alex_n/a]

First of all I think problem 3 and 4 are the same. Most likely a wiring short. It is possible for problem 2 to also be connected. I don't think that the distributer would cause the battery to drain, it shouldn't have any power to it when the car is shut off.

I would replace the battery cables. Also look at the coil.

Do you have wireing diagrams for this car?

I just assumed the rpm gauge worked of the coils like rx7's but i will check, that's why I thought it would affect the gauges. and this week I will be replacing the battery along with the cables.

1991 Honda Accord Service Manual can be found at: http://hondatech.info/downloads/Auto/Manuals/Accord/

Consider double-checking that the under-dash fuse no 1 and 2 are OK. Speedo going out sounds very similar to a problem I had in July on my '98 Civic, a short to ground on the speed sensor harness wire resulted in blowing that fuse (which also had the alternator charging circuit (field coil?)). It resulted in a CEL with 'load sensor' and HO2 trouble codes, a randomly fluctuating speedometer, pulsing dash indicators and headlights, low voltage (11.5-12.5v) at battery while running...

I'll check those tomorrow, when I get under the dash again.

A little update, I cleaned as much oil as I could from the spark plug well, and bought new spark plugs. It still didn't run but it cleaned up the piston chamber more because even when cranking the engine it stopped smoking. While cranking the engine several times I noticed that holding the ignition switch between the "on" position and the "starter" position it would keep the engine on. I did some quick research and found the problem to be just the ignition switch and not the entire key cylinder. I bought a new one from advance auto parts (normally I hate it but they were the cheapest around) and it worked and fit perfectly. came with the factory clips so it looks like a factory install , car runs great now. a lot smoother and quieter and best of all no more smoke! This week I will get a valve gasket kit installed to stop the leak. and a battery and cables and check other problems.