I just finished getting my 95 Accord LX back together this weekend. It had a failed water pump several months ago and I tore it down to replace the WPump, TBelt, tensioners, seals, etc. I sent the head off to have the valve seats done, pressure tested, and surface checked. The shop lost my 2 coolant sensors so I installed new ones on the head when I reassembled.

I turned the key today and she started right up. Sounded smooth and quiet (adjusted my valves). Timing was nearly dead on. No white smoke or water from tailpipe. I ran the car for several minutes with no un-ordinary noises and no warning lights on dash. I proceeded to have a friend hold the gas pedal at 2500rpm so I could get temp up and watch for the the radiator fan to come on. After 4 or 5 minutes, the temp gauge never got up to halfway (about 3/4 the way to halfway). THEN, I heard a whine start and the engine sounded like it was starting to lose RPM. I yelled for my friend to IMMEDIATELY turn off the engine. The noise kinda sounded like a power steering pump when it is low on fluid. I panicked and thought my motor had seized. I waited a couple minutes then started it again. It cranked right over and ran smooth, but I only ran it for about 30-40 seconds.

What could have happened?? Dont think I over heated. No steam or boil over. Could the guy who did the service on the head have screwed it up? Maybe the cam is not getting oil and starting to sieze [and not the bottom end]. Could the oil pump have failed? Wouldn't that have lit the oil light on dash?

Any thoughts Accord gurus. I am afraid to run the motor until I figure out what happened. Is it possible that the new water pump or sensors not working? I'm gonna pull the plugs tomorrow and see what they look like. I hate to have to remove the valve cover to inspect, but I am thinking that's what I am going to have to do.

Thanks!

 

Verify your oil pressure.
Remove the oil pressure sending unit and install an oil pressure test gauge.
If you don't have one I believe harbor freight has a cheap one that should work.
Start the car and verify oil pressure is around 10 psi at idle and 50 at 3000 rpm.

 

You should of turned it over with the fuel off with no plugs in it first. Verify that u have oil pressure. Then add plugs then fuel.

 

Thanks for your reply.

I am going to pickup an oil pressure gauge today and test. IF the oil pressure is GOOD, got any other thoughts on what it could be? BTW, the cylinder shop replaced 2 of my exhaust valves when they did the valve seat job. Could they have assembled my valves wrong or some other dumb mistake? I torqued the cam myself so I know its to spec. Also, the oil pressure switch is just for lighting the oil light (if low pressure) on the dash right?

 

Without being able to see the car in person and listen to it diagnosing your problem will be difficult.
The oil pressure sending unit ties in with the ICU and simply displays the warning lamp on the dash if there is sufficiently low oil pressure.

 

Well, I'm toast! I think cam seized.

I bought the oil pressure gauge and hooked it up. (BTW, thanks Honda, could you make getting to the oil pressure switch any HARDER! Had to by a 24mm deep socket AND remove the oil filter to get the damn switch removed and re-installed) I'm thinking of leaving an inch and a half nipple in there just to make it easier to test in the future.

I started the car and oil pressure was fine for about 10 seconds when the engine abruptly stopped and I heard a snapping noise. Haven't got the valve cover back off yet but I am betting one of the cam journals was not getting oil and the cam seized (snapping the timing belt or cam key).

I could just KILL the shop that did the head work!