My cousin just got a 1991 Honda Civic Ex (4 door) with a D16a6. It is his beater car. I am going to help him replace the valve cover gasket, spark plug tube seals, sealing washers, and the valve stem seals.

I'm not sure how to do the valve stem seals. Can any of you help me out? Some basic steps would be greatly appreciated. Exactly what tools will I need? I searched but didn't find anything.

My cousin has promised he will get a good manual, but doesn't have it yet.

Thanks for the help.

 

You can do it with the motor in the car, but the easiest way is to pull the head out. Pull the head, disassemble the valve train, pull out the old ones with needlenose pliers. Put the new ones in by setting them on the guides, and then use a deep socket and a hammer to tap them into place. Make sure you don't screw up the spring thing around the top with the socket (use one that's larger than that). Use assembly lube to reassemble.

 

Oh yeah and before someone else flames you for it, tell him to get a damn manual. If you have a D series it's the same as yours.

 

Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it. I have a H series. He ordered a manual, but it hasn't arrived yet. Nor will it arrive in time to do this project.

 

Never done it on an H series... but you can also do it without pulling the head. ( i wouldn't suggest pulling the head unless lapping the valves and replacing valves or head gasket is questionable... or if you have to replace the timing belt now anyway).

Basically use a piece of soft rope, fish it down the spark plug hole (can do 2 at a time). Do your best to make it spiral into the combusion chamber, then slowly turn the engine over with wrench on crankshaft bolt until it stops. If you've got a good spiral on the rope the valve now will not fall into the cylinder when you take the springs off. As for getting the springs off... something going from strut tower to tower, and pry off of that with a home made tool, or buy the proper tool but nahhh.

Oh and the library will have manuals, and a photocopier. Won't be factory manual but good enough directions for the average dude.