I have a problem with my '91 Accord popping the #2 or #3 (middle-left) plug wire off. I assumed the PCV was plugged and the pressure under the VC was popping it but I put a new PCV on and it did it again today. What causes this? Do the plug wires just get old and the rubber cap deteriorates and loosens over time? Why would this just not allow pressure to blow by the rubber boot, instead of completely blowing the plug wire off? I would think a new PCV wouldn't allow pressure to build up at all anyway so what else could pop off this wire? It's always the same one, too.

Thanks,
Darel

 

yo amigo ,,pcv valve has nothing to do with making the plug wires pop off the plug , there is no pressure under the plug wires ,,did u chk to see if there is any oil or there has been in the past oil in plug wires tubes>>>? if so oil will deteriorate and expend the rubber and it will not be a tight fit, also do you have factory wires installed???also what plugs do you have installed?? If all is dry in plug wires tubes put a new set of factory plug wires and ngk plugs ..

 

How is there no pressure under the plug wires? They cover four holes in the valve cover, which is vented by the PCV. Unless there are tubes molded into the VC that go all the way down to the plug?

This is an old beater car, original plug wires, probably not original plugs but cheap replacements. Any cheap/quick fixes for this problem? Why would it happen? What force is there to pop the wire off if there's no pressure? The car's not worth $100 for new plug wires, just wondering how to keep this one on.

Darel

 

Desert is partially correct, the plug wires are old and do not fit tight but there may be several reasons for them popping off.

It is possible for the spark plug gaskets under the valve cover to be bad and PCV pressure can blow the plug wires up, I have witnessed it. A spark plug could be loose and you would not hear any noise from compression loss lets call it and compression could blow the plug wire up.

When I am going to find TDC all by myself I pull the plug out, gently lay the plug wire down into the hole, crank the engine one quick key turn at a time and when the plug wire blows up I am on the compression stroke for that cylinder.

One more I have witnessed and put a lot of wasted time into diagnosing it. Push the good plug wires down into the hole and of course the top will seal everything out such as water and dust, after all the top is the dust boot.

NOW for the secret, push the plug wires on real good, then BURP them, lift up a corner and release any air pressure you just forced into the plug hole while installing the plug wires. When the engine heats up, it also heats up the air and it expands creating pressure under the boot, therefore popping the boot up. Procedure #2: REBURP it after a short drive, you already know how long it takes to blow the boot up so just before that time, reburp the boot hot. Of couse if it still pops up then you have a pressure leak as mentioned way up above, good luck and dont spend $100 for plugs and wires. You may need some of that money for a valve cover gasket set.

 

yo Duane if the plug seals under the valve cover gasket are bad as you stated, the first thing you would have is oil in the tubes thus wires would be oil soaked

 

Not if it just started possibly, I replace these gaskets and when I installed the valve cover one gasket got cocked and didnt seal blowing the plug wire out, YES you would think he would have oil in the well but how much oil is in the engine and how long could this seal have been leaking if this is even the problem, IF.

 

Thanks guys...I'll check that the plug is properly tightened in the hole, and burp the dust cap as you said. I did notice it usually blows off very quickly into a drive, then once I pull over and put it back on it stays put. Thanks a lot!

Darel

 

If anyone cares, here's an update.

I tightened the plug in the hole. It wasn't loose but I gave it an extra 1/8 turn anyway.

The plug wire did have a tiny smear of oil on the very tip. I suppose this could indicate a gasket leak but since it was so little oil that I couldn't even call it "wet", I'm not going to bother with it.

I did make a hole in the dust boot, very small, but so far it seems to be enough. I managed a cold run straihgt up a mountin, back down, and a 2.5-hour blast down the turnpike without losing a plug wire once. I'd have to say to problem is fixed, for now, and I can at least put off buying new plug wires.

Thanks guys!
Darel

 

Follow deserthonda's advise and change the valve cover gasket, plug hole seals and rubber washers under the valve cover bolt heads if your model has them also see if you need the rubber circle or half circle plugs under one end of the valve cover. Put a dab of good quality RTV in the sharp corners where the valve cover gasket will sit on the head. Yours may be completely flat though??? Also pay very close attension to the way the plug hole seals are installed, they may or may not still go in backwards, not sure on your model, if they are just round soft rubber gaskets then put a dab of RTV to help hold them in place so they dont fall off during installation. Dont beat up the aluminum trying to pry the old gaskets out. Of course clean up the areas as the RTV wont stick to an oily surface very well, this will also let you see how much sludge is built up in your engine if any.

The oil in the spark plug hole seems minor right now but it will get worse as deserthonda mentioned, this will deteriorate your plug wires eventually and you will be forced to buy them.