1996 Accord LX (2.2L SOHC 4 Cyl), 235k miles, runs well, not losing oil, ac still works, transmission good, garage kept, interior good, etc.

HISTORY: I purchased LX from original owner with ~160k many years ago with a stack of Honda service receipts. According to the service records last major service was done at 90k, included timing belt, water pump and valve adjustment, etc. I lent it to an elderly family member four years ago, just got it back now. Maintenance schedule wasn't followed at all, (ie. way overdue for valve adjustment, timing belt, etc, oops, my bad)

PROBLEM: Valves started making a lot of noise like a diesel Mercedes. Valves were way off and exhaust ones very tight, realized all of the valve springs were worn out{soft}, decided to replace intake and exhaust valve springs, then adjust the valves. Did that, put it back together, same problem. Took valve cover off again, rotated engine, noticed one of the exhaust valves stays open for a bit longer then the rest of the valves, then it closes with force enough to make a loud clink noise. Thought that exhaust valve might have carbon buildup, so I soaked that valve at the stem seal with injector/carburetor cleaner, penetrating oil & pbblaster and then put a couple quarts of magical mystery oil in the crankcase, put it all back together, injected all the same stuff through the intake, thinking maybe I would get lucky, several thousand miles later, nope.

Bent valve or what else? or is it time to remove/rebuild the head, yah, should have started with compression test.....or just give up now?!?

 

Engines are cheap

 

pull the rocker arm assembly and see if something is screwed up with it, there should be a thread in the faq's at the top of this subforum with the procedure for replacing the "lower spark plug tube seals" which involves pulling the assembly, you can replace the lower seals while you're at it