Got a 92 accord has some issues, any help would be appreciated.

[Sconic]

Hey, i just scored a 92 accord for FREE from my uncle. Its nice and drives ok, but i was hoping you guys could help me with some problems it has. I'm new to hondas so bear with me. It has 170k miles on it but runs pretty good.

First thing i noticed when i opened the hood was that the valve cover was extremely loose(not even hand tight). Suffice to say, it was leaking a lot of oil. I think the gasket may be gone too, and maybe the oil pump seal. Not sure though, would like any oppinions or advice.

Second thing I noticed was that the ground cable is shredded down near the bottom. The car sometimes doesn't start right away. (turns over fine) and im wondering if this is the porblem.

Also I'm told it sputters and whatnot if you go below 1/2 tank (fuel pump maybe?)

Its also leaking coolant but not that bad. Thinking water pump but not sure.

last and least, the steering seems alot harder than my other cars (cougar and cutlass). I dont know if that indicates bad joints or something, but I'd like any advice.

thanks guys

[ProMan]

2. It's probably your main relay. Especially if it happens when it's hot.

[Deadhead]

Originally Posted by ProMan

2. It's probably your main relay. Especially if it happens when it's hot.

yes it could be that, but that was not the case in my accord.... the TW sensor was the problem with my hot start. it would just crank over and over but nothing but gassy smell coming out the back.

[Sconic]

wheres the TW sensor. Also, it won't start up right when its cold. It does allright when its hot.

[jeffcoslacker]

Ford products have feather light power steering. There's probably nothing wrong with your Accord, they have heavy steering by comparison. The under half tank sputter has turned up in many models and makes, usually a result of a bad fuel pump strainer (in tank) or a bent or broken baffle in the tank that is supposed to direct the return line's flow and subsequent turbulence away from the pump intake. When the level gets low enough, the froth from the return line gets sucked into the pump and causes irregular fuel pressure. I suspect that's what you got, or something similar. The oil pump seal, under the timing cover, usually pours oil out when the motor is running, so you'd know it. Pull the top of the cover back and see if the timing belt is oily, if so, there's work to do. Replace the water pump and belt while in there, get rid of several problems at once.

[Sconic]

thanks jeffcoslacker that post was really helpful. Yeah the oil is pouring out big time so i spose ill do the oil pump seal. And the steering isnt that bad i was just surprised at the hardness of it. No biggy.

In your opinion, is the strainer or baffle or whatever worth fixing and is is doable and not that hard. I have a lift and most likely all tools needed, but is it worth the parts and labor to so. Inside the tank its sounds like quite a job.

thanks again, and let me know what you think of the starting problem.

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by Sconic

thanks jeffcoslacker that post was really helpful. Yeah the oil is pouring out big time so i spose ill do the oil pump seal. And the steering isnt that bad i was just surprised at the hardness of it. No biggy.

In your opinion, is the strainer or baffle or whatever worth fixing and is is doable and not that hard. I have a lift and most likely all tools needed, but is it worth the parts and labor to so. Inside the tank its sounds like quite a job.

thanks again, and let me know what you think of the starting problem.

You might ask the uncle if he ever had to put a fuel pump in it, if not, it might be worth doing, just on the "gonna need it soon anyway" logic, and have a chance to inspect the strainer and baffles while you are doing it. Pumps are expensive and non-returnable, though.

I don't think the Accord has any access to the pump without tank removal, actually, I don't remember ever having to change a pump in one. Some cars are nice enough to have a panel under the seat or wherever that can be pulled off to access the top of the tank for float/pump servicing. Usually German cars, though.

I'm gonna leave the starting problem for those here that know these cars better in detail, but in general, start at the battery, and clean, tighten and repair all connections you find, a lot of times this is all it takes. WD-40 sprayed on electrics cleans and removes corrosion, this is something I do to my own cars a couple of times a year for maintenance. I spray the ignition and all wiring connections. Most electrical problems trace back to bad grounds or connections, so rule this out first.

[jeffcoslacker]

Is it possible you've got an oil-saturated P/S belt that slips?

[Sconic]

yeah dude anythings possible. What/wheres the P/S belt? Totally new to honda cars lol.

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by Sconic

yeah dude anythings possible. What/wheres the P/S belt? Totally new to honda cars lol.

All your belts are on the driver's side of the motor, and if there is a lot of oil slingin' around from that seal leaking, the power steering belt might be slipping and making it need more effort to turn the steering wheel. But if you can use one hand to manuever into a parking spot at a creep, it's fine. Without the assist they are a handful at low speed.

[94hondaacc]

Buy A Honda Manual, So You Can Know The Location Of Many Parts. At 170k You Need Maintanence. See If Your Uncle Maintain This Car Or If He Just Drove It. When I Buy A Car And Am Unsure I Give It Acomplete Tune Up. Spark Plugs, Sp Wires, Fuel,oil, Air Filter, Pcv Valve, And The Distribuator Cap And Rotor.dont Forget The Oil Change. Sounds Like You Got To Change Your Valve Cover Gasket, And You Might As Well Do Your Timing Belt And Water Pump, And Cam And Cramshaft Seals. Sounds Like A Lot But The Parts Are Not Too Expensive. Also Just Change Your Ground Wire. And All Of Your Belts.

[Sconic]

yeah man i already got a hynes manual for it. It's the 1st thing i do for any car i buy. But it doesn't tell you everything and i like to get a couple sources, plus i find there's nothing like experience (you guys). The book can't tell me, "sounds like an oil pump gasket."

but anyways, my uncle says he got the regular maintenance services from a honda place, oil changed every 2500 miles, and the oil leak started like a week before i got the car. Don't know why he'd lie either if he was giving it to me anyways.

Im thinking ill just change the oil pump gasket, timing belts, water pump, valve cover gasket and maybe the ps belt. Then ill see what happens from there. thanks for all the help guys ill ask if i have questions. (its almost guantenteed ill have questions.)

[Ehscrewdude]

Oil gaskets and seals seem to be a big problem on a lot of the older accords. Mine was dumping oil and it ended up being the main oil seal. You might as well replace all the oil seals while ur at it (if u got the dough)