hello everyone,i just bought this 90 accord ex,and the lady told me it was running on 3 cylinders,i started it up and redlined at like 3.5-4k.i put my dizzy and wires and new spark plugs on it from my wrecked 91 ex and it made it run a little bit better,i can go all the way to 6k or what ever the redline is.but what i want to know is it able to be fixed by swapping the head or should i just swap my other motor into it?this is my first accord so any help is appreaciated.
also 1 motor is a f22a6(good cond.) and the other one is an f22a4(running on 3cyl.).they are compatable?
thanks guys.
-keith-

 

should fit no problems

 

If you feel it worth your time, Perform a compression test (both a dry and wet type). It should give you the idea that if the problem is above or below the Cylinder Head Gasket. And you can plan your attack from there.

P

 

ok,also could it by my head gasket?it does smoke a decent amount when i gas it.so if i change the head and get a new head gasket should it fix the smoking and everythng else?its just smoking now.
thanks
-keith-

 

also it has a little bit of hesitation or sputtering noise during exceleration.

P_Adams:if my comp test shows a low # in one cylinder its the head gasket?just making sure.
thanks
-keith-

 

With this most recent revilation (smoke) I'll add:
If this is a light grey smoke, you may be dealing with stuck piston rings, which can cause loss of compression, dead (weak) cylinders, engine skips and unspecifice oil loss. This happens with cars previously operated by Seasoned Citizens; particularly as Granny Groceries Getters.
There has been 4 suspected instances of this condition in the last three weeks in this forum alone.

Here's a proceedure that I've used to address it.

Try this; it's cheap and doesn't involve tearing anything apart.

Purchase either a can of SeaFoam or GM Top Engine Cleaner (PN# 1050002). remove all four spark plugs and pour equal amounts into each combustion chamber and let sit for at least three hours.

Go get a coffee
Go "Entertain" the GF or significant other
Go get a beer, anything - just go away for three hours.

Cycle the engine several times to evacuate the excess cleaner and reinstall the plugs. Roll the car outside and start the car. You're going to enjoy a re-enactment of a WW2 Destroyer's putting a smoke screen down (that's why I suggested putting the car outside) so get ready for the Fire Dept etc.

What you've most likely got is the piston rings have gummed up in their lands and have stopped conforming to the cylinders. This will free them up.

P

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1hot4dr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">P_Adams:if my comp test shows a low # in one cylinder its the head gasket?just making sure.
thanks
-keith-</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is where a combination of dry and wet compression tests will help determine your answer.
First: Dry Compression test. 5 compression cycles per cylinder test. Note the readings. Identifies a base compression level per cylinder - they should be within 10% of each other.
Second: Wet Compression test. 5 Compression cycles per cylinder test. Same as dry test BUT you've squirted some engine oil into the spark plug hole b4 you test. Note the readings. Unlike the dry test, what you're looking for here is a change in the compression level per cylinder.

If you've a weak cylinder that responds when oil is introduced, the rings are weak and are responsible for the compression loss. If you have no change, and the compression in that cylinder still bites it, you've a burned valve.

P

 

ok,it smokes under acceleration,it is the light grey you speak of.so the seafoam **** should fix the problem?
if it does'nt solve the problem should i just save time and money and swap the head?
im kinda in a hurry,im trying to get down to florida by friday-saturday the latest.
thank you so much for the help.
-keith-

 

The Seafoam/GM Top Engine cleaner is a non-distructive proceedure. (You'll do no harm performing it)
The only thing that would cause the head to contribute to an oil burning condition would be these:
Worn Valve guide
Worn Valve guide Seal
Excessive oil staying in the head (oil drains clogged)

I'm still thinking rings.....

P

 

so the seafoam stuff "should" work?
if not the head swap would be a good idea?
thanks again.
-keith-

 

trying the seafoam stuff now hopefully that works........

 

going to check it now...........i hope it works.

 

ok its still smoking,im thinking swap heads?some one help!!!!!
-keith-

 

only way you are going to know is if you pull the head and if it's OK, you will have to disassemble the lower part of the engine.

Good luck with that........

 

it sounds like a ring or valve guide problem.

 

ok,i forget to mention that when i went to crank it to get rid of the excess seafoam,and when i did that most if it sprayed out on to the bay and the hood.it still smokes but i is more now.......im thinking on doing a injection cleaning,one more engine treatment(the way it says to do it on the directions).......

so this whole thing should be in the head area?if it is i have another complete motor i can take parts off of,i would swap it but i dont have the time,i need to be in florida by the weekend.
so should i just swap the head?i hope its not something in the block.........
thanks guys.
-keith-

 

i'd go straight for motor swap.

 

ok,have no more time to mess with it,im selling them both for 600 o.b.o.
one has a title issuse but the motor is in good cond. wastold it has like 90k on it,the other has clean title but the motor is fucked up.......
im in southern connecticut,close to brewster ny.
any takers?