Hello All...Happy Friday!
I decided last night to inspect/clean/regap my spark plugs. The first two plug wires came out no problem (the two on right side of valve cover, not sure which cylinders these are). When I got to the other two, I had serious problems. One left the lower rubber part of the plug wire connector down in the hole, which I had to "surgically" remove with two sets of needle-nose pliers and the other completely pulled the wire out of the connector!! I did the best I could to repair the connector, but driving to work today, the engine starting lurching and misfiring...which means that I didn't fix it as well as I thought I did.
Anyway...I need some new plug wires and fast.

The ones that are in there right now are the ACCEL 8mm 300+ and I've had them for about 55,000 miles.
Any suggestions on a new set, or should I just buy an identical set like the old ones? (never had any issues until now)

Also...after investigation on why the plug wires got stuck down there in the first place, I realized that oil and gas had somehow managed to get down in the hole and create a really sticky, glue-like substance. I believe that the valve cover gasket is responsible for this goo. Does this sound right? I looked on the cover around the area where the spark plugs are (front left side of cover) and I noticed a small amount of fresh oil around the area where the cover meets the head. Should I buy a valve cover gasket from ACURA (and get raped I'm sure) or just get one from Autozone?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

OH Yeah---Will I destroy my engine if I drive on it like this. I definitely need to get my car home today.

 

As far as the wires go, I would just stick w/ OEM. Do you still have your old ones? If you do, just give them a visual inpection and if the look fine then put those in.
I don't think you need a new head gasket, which is about 7-10 bucks at dealer, because that only goes around the valve cover not around the plug holes. I would try replacing the rubber plug grommets that serve as the gasket around the plug holes. These are easily seen in the plug wire holes with the valve cover removed.

 

OK found a link for you: http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.net/...DER+HEAD+COVER

No. 7 is what I am talking about. HTH

 

Nah...I replaced them a few years ago and they were either thrown out or I lost them
OK...thanks. Once I take the valve cover off, will I need to replace it anyway for "disturbing" it or will it go right back on and seal up tight with the old one still in place?

Thanks again

 

Thanks again Eva01...I'll call up Acura and see if they have any in stock

 

If it still looks ok, alot of people reuse them. But it's an old gasket, might as well replace it while you've got the cover off.

NP

 

Yeah..its got about 65,000 miles on it, so for $7, not a bad idea. Should I get the OEM one or does Autozone do okay?
Thanks again

 

I just ordered the plug gaskets and valve cover gasket from them. with shipping and handling, it still came out $10 cheaper than my local Acura dealership!

I love saving money!


[Modified by GSR-REX, 11:02 AM 1/10/2003]

 

lol i got a set of accel i am selling too. the yellow ones.. the reason is caues i had the same exact problem as you .. the lil boots got stuck in there jesus it was a pain in the ***. anyways i went and got a set of magnecores and so far it has been working great. and no more misfires. it has nothing to do with oil getting in there. it's just poor quality stuff.


[Modified by LODOSS, 4:35 PM 1/10/2003]

 

[QUOTE]lol i got a set of accel i am selling too. the yellow ones.. the reason is caues i had the same exact problem as you .. the lil boots got stuck in there jesus it was a pain in the ***. anyways i went and got a set of magnecores and so far it has been working great. and no more misfires. it has nothing to do with oil getting in there. it's just poor quality stuff.
[\QUOTE]
Yeah...it really sux ****! A 15 minute spark plug check turned into a 2 hour nightmare!
How much did you pay for those Magnecore's?