Hey guys, I have a 1996 Accord LX (F22B2) and I'm trying to replace the gaskets around the spark plug tubes because they are leaking oil into the tubes. I previously replaced only the gaskets on the valve cover but recently noticed they are still leaking and researched there is another set under the rocker arm assembly. So I buy another gasket set, pop the cover off, and begin unbolting the assembly only to find that the thing does not budge once unbolted.

Long story short, how do I get it off?

I have the torque specs/sequence for the bolts, feeler gauges for adjusting the valves, etc., and a general idea of how to do the repair but I don't know enough about what I'm touching to know what to do if it's stuck since I've just been looking all this information up. The 10mm and 12mm bolts on the assembly were so, so, so tight when loosening them if that means anything as to why the assembly won't budge when tapped with a rubber mallet and lightly pried with a screwdriver. Any ideas?

And a side note, should I try to clean the oil out of the tubes before removing the spark plugs or just let it drain into the engine and let it burn itself out?

 

Eric the Car Guy video on youtube: search "wYU8qtPzQOY"

 

You might have forgotten the bolts by the distributor. I watched Eric the Car Guy video and had no issues.

 

That's the exact video I was watching during the process. Like he said, the assembly would get all funky as you started unbolting it and his lifted a little as the bolts were being unfastened but mine stayed in place the whole time. It's totally stuck in place, maybe heat warped or something? I don't know. His came off easily so I don't know what to do if it's completely stuck.

 

Give them a good tap on alternating sides of the cam covers with a rubber hammer/plastic mallet. Don't forget to leave the bolts in the cam caps when removing the assembly. This keeps the assembly in one piece as you remove it. I have never watched the video, so I'm not sure if he mentions that or not.

 

Yeah, the video said to leave the bolts in place. But believe me, I spent a good 10 minutes whacking it with a mallet with no results.

 

You are going to have to pry up the assembly slowly and evenly. There are precision ground dowel pins locating the assembly on the head, and those don't like to come loose. Just be patient but it's a pain in the ***.

 

I remember tugging on my RAA for quite a while before it came loose.

 

Where is it safe to pry? I don't want to damage anything.

 

Haven't quite found an answer that helped my problem. Is it safe to just force it out?

 

Don't know if this is the correct way, but I pryed mine where the spring is on the cam bar.

 

I know this is an old thread, but I'm encountering the same issue on my 92 Accord. I've tried pounding and pounding as hard as I can on both ends of the cam covers with a nylon hammer and it won't budge. Tried prying as djkurious mentioned where the spring is on the cam bar, but am afraid if I pry too hard something will bust for sure. If "prying slowly and evenly" is the technique, what do I pry with and where. I know all bolts are loose and I've followed the video mentioned in this thread where his just seems to pop right off but mine is stuck big time. Any suggestions appreciated. thanks

 

I did finally get it off. I hate to admit this out of sheer stupidity, but I actually missed a few bolts that were like camouflaged with the assembly. I feel so dumb for missing them. After I took the missed bolts out, it was still kind of stuck, but a few taps with a mallet and it popped right off like it should have. I'm not a mechanic so the only advice I can offer is to double check for any little bolt heads that are covered under the grime of an old engine. Best of luck man!

 

I finally got mine off too, thanks. I double checked for bolts I could have possibly missed per your advice. I hate to admit this out of sheer stupidity, but in my case I had completely overlooked removing the two stud/bolts on the front side (left side in the photo here) that also serve as the valve cover hold-down studs for the acorn nuts (shown in place in the photo). Once I loosened those of course the assembly came loose easily.
Thanks again for the reply.

 

Now get'er done!

 

I know! Enough of this foolishness!