1990 Honda Accord Need Help

DEATT12

MEMBER
1990 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
158,000 MILES

Where to start. Well I guess I will start with what has been going on in the car for a six months. It has had a small oil leak, there is a lot of oil in my second spark plug, and it takes a little while for my radiator fan to kick in. Now here is why I am afraid to drive it: when I start it, a belt squeals for a few seconds, then the car surges real bad, and even if I let it sit and run, it doesn't take long before it overheats real bad. There is a small amount of oil in my radiator as well.

I am so lost. I've been told so many things about this car, but I don't know whats true.I just want some answers.

3 Replies

JAMES W.

MECHANIC
2,395 POSTS

Well, as you put it, "where to start". By your description, it sounds like you have a head gasket out or possibly a cracked head. These little motors don't take being overheated very well. If cylinder compresson is leaking into the cooling system it creates an air pocket in the coolant and decreases the coolant's ability to dissipate the heat from the engine causing overheating. Also, the exhaust pressure buil;ding up in the cooling system pushes the coolant out of the system. Two things you need to do: 1. Have the cooling system tested for the presence of exhaust gases. You can get a test kit from any good parts store and do it yourself, or have it done at a shop. 2. Do a compression test on all 4 cylinders. This should tell you what wrong with your #2 cylinder.
The control that turns on your cooling fan needs to be imersed in coolant to work efficiently. If you have an air pocket around the sensor, it will delay or stop the cooling fan from running.
Other things to check: The color of your engine oil. If the oil looks like a "chocolate malt", that's indicitive of coolant leaking into the cylinder(s). If this is the case, it will destroy the engine bearings. Hope this helps. But, from what you have said, it doesn't sound good.