Hello i have a 89 accord lxi with 145,000 miles on it, My car was running fine, it had a small tick on the right side of the engine, My oil light came on even though i wasnt due for a oil change for another month and a half, i added 3 quarts of 10-30 oil, got to mcds and my car started smoking really bad out of the exhaust, took my car home parked it in the back yard, it sat there for about 2 or 3 m onths, finally got a new battery and it started right up with no smoke really at all, but still had the ticking on the right side of the engine, no check engine light but my oil light is on. Any suggestions would really help.

 

PLEASE!!

 

The oil light isn't for oil change intervals, it is a warning light for low oil pressure. Some people call it an idiot light..... You should always check your oil level periodically. Don't always rely on oil changes for a top up. Specially on an 89 Accord. Did you blindly add 3qts of oil or did your engine actually require 3qts?

What is your current oil level, is it up to the full mark on the dip stick?

The oil pressure light could be a faulty oil pressure sensor, or it could be an issue with your oil pressure. I would suggest that you have your oil pressure tested. It could be a faulty sensor or it could be your oil pump or a clog in the oil passages.

As for the ticking, that could be due to oil starvation to the valve train or it might just be your valves need adjusting. Depends on the health of your lubricating system (oil pressure).

 

Alright thanks man, do u think its ok to drive to the mechanic shop? Lol, and a mechanic i had look at it said i threw a rod but i dont really think i did cuz it starts fine just has that ticking on the right side.

 

If you have no oil pressure it would not be good to run your vehicle. I would have to hear what your engine sounds like in order to ether confirm or deny a thrown rod. Usually a rod issue is more of a low engine knock vs an upper engine tick???????

 

do u think its even worth taking to the shop and fixing? i love my honda but i dont wanna pay like 2000 to fix it.

 

I just dont know where to start with this car..

 

Where is the noise coming from, Upper right or lower right of the engine?

Are you mechanically inclined, do you have access to the proper tools, or are you having someone else do all of the work? If you are having someone else do all of the work. It may very well end up costing you a fist full of cash. It's hard to tell from your description what the noise is. Without actually hearing the noise and/or seeing what your oil pressure is. I can't say for sure how much it's going to cost.

 

I can also add-again still need to really understand this "ticking"- there are some switches and that on the right/pass side, ~kind of below the underhood fuse box- that can and will make a ticking sound as they open and close....got a video with sound?

AND yes find the oil leak or inspect the oil pressure switch. If taken care of these 3rd gen's will go forever.

 

Alright i checked my oil and it says i still have quite a bit, the ticking is coming from the top im pretty sure, the tick has always been there since i had the car, its just that day i added more oil to my car and it smoked ever since that day it has been ticking worse. i will work on posting a video. can i post it on this website?

 

Your car may be f***ed.

You might be lucky and be able to get away with a new oil filter (stay away from Fram, they're known to collapse and cause 0 oil pressure, I like purolator, hastings, and baldwin filters. Not a fan of wix/napa oil filters on Hondas as they're made in China and they can't even make cat food right, so I'm not trusting those), a new oil pump (melling is a good brand, go with a standard output standard pressure one from advance auto parts), and while you're at it scrape the gunk off the bottom of the oil pan.

If it still makes a clattery noise in the valves, I'd adjust them (or take it to a shop and have them adjusted).

 

how much would it costs to have the valves adjusted? im just hoping everything doesnt cost over like 3000 and i can make payments to the mechanic

 

Price may vary from shop to shop & state to state. Depends on the hourly rate. Call a few shops that work on Honda's regularly and see what they charge for a valve adjustment. It is routine maintenance so there should be a few shops that can do it. They should charge you for a full valve cover gasket kit and a couple hours labour. Last time I paid someone to do it, I also had my water pump and timing belts changed, it cost me $650-$750. I can't remember exactly...it's been a few years.

 

ok and my head my need replaced im not to sure but i wanna fix everything at once so my little honda will be a champ again. haha