Zepoldivad

Hey guys I am new to this forum but have been really active in a similar forum for my Grand Prix GTP. My check engine light came on yesterday and these are the codes that Autozone gave to me. I would appreciate any help that you guys can give me.

Also I'm not sure if this is related or not but my engine seems to be buring oil at a rapid pace although there is no smoke or anything like that coming from the exhaust that I can tell. Is this related or could this be a totally different issue? I don't really notice any problems with how the car runs at all if that makes any difference.

preludebro

Those codes are for your EGR valve. Clean it and reset the codes. Burning oil or leaking oil?

Zepoldivad

LOL Sorry bro I apologize...Wrong message board, I typed in the codes that I got from my Grand Prix. (Idiot) My Honda codes are P0420, & P1259.

The reason I said I believe it's burning oil instead of leaking is that I don't notice any huge puddle of oil in my carport and I know that I am constantly putting oil in the Honda.

Also I used to use this car as my junk car and haven't ever really taken care of it maintenance wise. Because of several things (Economy, job loss etc) I now need this car to be in tip top shape. I need to do a tune up. What plugs/wires should I use and please let me know anything else that I should do to get her back into shape.

poorman212

Well I guess you know the codes...

The low oil is prob the reason for the 1259. Need to find where the oil is going..leak or burn. Have you looked at the PCV?

As far as tune up-I suggest NGK plugs (personal pref-others my not agree). From there the normal stuff-cap, rotor, inspect wires-if you need to replace, again NGK wires are good (IMO), filters. Auto or manual trans? This "may" help with the 0420??? or you can test the rear O2....or at a reach-burning oil could have killed the cat and or the rear O2.

Zepoldivad

I haven't looked anywhere as of yet. I will definately be taking any advice that you give since I've really never done anything to the Honda except changing the oil. I've done and replaced virtually everything on my Grand Prix so I'm comfortable working on cars but I wouldn't say I'm a mechanic or anything like that. I am very good at following directions enough so that I replaced my rack and pinion on my Grand Prix last year. It was a PITA but I got it done and was pretty proud about it afterward.

The transmission is automatic.

Should I stick with strictly Honda parts for cap, rotor, filters etc or are there decent aftermarket parts? I prefer using better parts but I don't have gobs of cash so I need to be smart too.

lazlong

Sounds like you blew the head gasket and the oil being burned has caused the cat to go bad.

Zepoldivad

Lazlong, Wow...Wouldn't I feel major performance issue if I blew a head gasket?

lazlong

^ Usually but, not always. Pull the O2 sensor and see if it has excessive carbon deposits or oil on it. That will tell you if your burning any oil. If your burning oil, fix it ASAP or your gonna have to buy a new engine plus you can't fix the cat and sensors until you get it stop burning oil.

Zepoldivad

Thanks I will be pulling the O2 sensor and the PCV tomorrow to have a look and start getting this vehicle together the way I should have been.

This car has taken care of me even though I haven't been so good to it. It still runs very good and I don't really notice anything except the mysterious disappearing oil and the 2 codes that came up yesterday after the check engine light came on.

I appreciate everyone's help on this.

preludebro

NGK plugs and wire are the best for your car as that's what it came with factory, NGK.
Distributor cap and rotary button... you can go with BWD brand. I seriously doubt you have a blown head gasket. Check your oil cap. Any milky like residue on it? No? You're good. Check what oil you have in your car. Is your dipstick milky? No? You're good. Loosing antifreeze? No? You're good. These are a few symptoms of a blown head gasket. Worn cylinder rings could be the result of burning oil? Correct me if I'm wrong but if you are burning oil wouldn't you have white smoke from your exhaust? Take out your spark plug wires that run into the valve cover and see if there is oil on the plugs. You can check each one by one so you can keep the wires in the correct order.

lazlong

Yes, but not always. If it's losing oil fast enough it could just be dumping oil on the sensor and cat.

To the OP: Compression test for bad rings.