I'm getting oil on my spark plug on my 91 civic hb dx. I've replaced the top rubber grommets or whatever you want to call them in the valve cover and replaced my plugs and wires since the oil deteriorated the plugs to the point one ripped in half when I pulled it out. I just bought this car a week ago and wasn't aware of the situation. From my understanding there are those rubber grommets on the bottom as well that could be the culprit. The oil is around the threads and seems to be leaking down onto the spark plug electrode. From time to time i get a CEL which I think is a cause from the oil but I'm not getting any hesitation or anything like that and it wont stay on when I restart my car so check the code. The code doesnt seem to come on if I run high test gas or put fuel system cleaner in either. My question is this, is there any way to tell that it is indeed a result from bad rubber grommets in the head and what is the worse case scenario if I continue to drive it like this because I'm going down to my dads which is about 180 miles on Weds and I don't want to end up on the side of the road. Also does anyone have any information on replacing the grommets inside the head if that is the case. What is required etc. I can take advantage of my dads tools and garage with hydraulic lift while there. I wanted to paint my car while down there this week but need to fix this first. SO PLZ HELP! this is my second civic and my first one died almost immediately I dont want another bad honda experience =\

 

A good replacement valve cover gasket kit should come with new grommets. Once you take the valve cover off they're extremely self explanitory. It's extremely simple and will take the most basic of tools to complete, along with about 15-20 minutes of your time. I highly doubt this has anything to do with your CEL though. Try to pull the code next time it comes on. Go to the FAQs and search on how to find your codes.

 

i replaced those grommets on my car awhile back ago, pretty simple. under the valve cover ull see the bolts for the rocker arms, you undo the bolts, lift the rocker arms, remove grommets, put new ones in and reassemble

 

That doesn't sound to difficult crazyboy. Is there a certain sequence you need to follow when pulling the rocker arms off/on and do you know the torque to put them back on with?

Also from my understanding on pulling the code you need to jump the little blue connecter near the passenger kick panel using a wire or something. I assume I'm doing it right however when I turn the car off, then back to acc to try and check the CEL is gone. It kicks on for 2 secs while the pump is priming then off. When you start the car back up the CEL is non exsistant then out of no where it will kick back on again randomly if it feels like it sometimes at a light sometimes while driving however no hesitation or misfiring(knock on wood). IDK that CEL got me for now. Think I'll be alright driving 3 hrs down the highway with the leak onto the plugs until I can get it there to fix? As long as it is just those grommets?