Car:
1994 1.5L Del Sol
with 128k+ miles
Symptoms:
Wed on the freeway car stumbled under power at 2500-3500 rpm.
Thu car studdered under accel and CEL came on
Fri pulled the plugs, saw fresh oil on the plug from the cylinder side

Diagnosis:
Talked with a friend who knows hondas, says it may be a head gasket
No coolant in oil, car does not overheat though the car did overheat bad 2 years ago

I am competent around engines, I have never opened up a Honda engine. I downloaded a shop manual and am prepared to do the work myself. I am just curious if it is indeed a head gasket that needs replacing or if it is something smaller and less intensive.

Your thoughts?

 

First retrieve the CEL code:

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1901557

You may simply have an ignition system problem. Rule out this possibility before considering the potential head gasket problem.

 

You could have a bad valve cover gasket that lets oil into/onto the plug(when oil gets hot it can seep anywhere). I've had oil on the cylinder side of my plugs at one point but not enough to cause a stumble, replaced the VCG and the problem was fixed. Or worst case scenario your oil control ring(s) are shot.

 

So oil can leak down into the cylinder and cause the plug to be oily from the bottom side with the ceramic side bone dry? I am not sure I follow.

Where can I get a connector to make my own CEL tester? As of yet, my car did not throw another CEL or studder when I restarted it and drove it around the block. Due to an overheating the engine experienced two years ago on a trip to Tucson from Phoenix, bone dry system due to a faulty radiator cap, I figured this is just the problem coming to a head finally.

The other three spark plugs were dry and looked normal so that is where I thought the one fouled one was due to a faulty gasket. I mean, the plug was dripping with oil.

I will still take advice and suggestions.

If I pull the valve cover, would it be easy to see where the faulty seal is that is described above? Meaning, will it be tell-tale as easy without redoing a head gasket? Saving money would be great, and my weekend time can be better spent doing other things if it is as easy as a few seals on the cover.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by desertdroog &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Where can I get a connector to make my own CEL tester? As of yet, my car did not throw another CEL or studder when I restarted it and drove it around the block.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

A paper clip should work. Even without the CEL still ON, the code is still stored in the ECU. After retrieval, clear the code from the ECU. If the CEL returns, retrieve the code again. If same code repeats, then you should troubleshoot.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by desertdroog &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
The other three spark plugs were dry and looked normal so that is where I thought the one fouled one was due to a faulty gasket. I mean, the plug was dripping with oil.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you are concerned about the cylinder, do a compression test on all four cylinders. If only that same cylinder is low, then you have a potential head/head gasket, valve, or piston ring problem.

 

RonJ, thanks for the advice.

I was going to ask if the CEL would throw a code even though my engine light went off. I will do a loopback and see what is up.

Compression test, here I come. Thanks guys.

 

My CEL threw: 4 CKP - crank position sensor

Replaced the spark plug seals in the valve cover.

Works.

Thanks for the advice.

 

Damn!

Driving to work today and the stumbling has returned. I will pull the spark plug to make sure there is no oil collecting.

No CEL has happened. Any ideas of what it could be if it isn't an oily spark plug? Fuel injectors?

I replaced the fuel filter about 8k miles ago, and put on a new cap and rotor when I put in new plugs.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by desertdroog &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Damn!

Driving to work today and the stumbling has returned. I will pull the spark plug to make sure there is no oil collecting.

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oil on the plug? if so a leak down test will better determine the root of your problem.

 

I agree a leakdown test would answer many issues. I don't have access to a tool to do this and I don't want to take it into the local Japanese engine and be charged for the trouble shoot.

I just want to get this car back to running order so I can sell it and get a newer civic or something.

 

then your shooting in the dark. my guess, hg.

 

Fair enough.

I had a buddy who could loan me a leak down test tool this weekend, but I was tired of this car so I traded it in on a 05 LX MT.

It is someone elses problem now.