1989 Honda Civic Sudden rough starting

ELLJAY04

MEMBER
1989 HONDA CIVIC
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
204,416 MILES

Please help! Engine suddenly began starting, running very rough. Will stall at stops. No check engine light comes on. Seems to be oil in the cylinders. Maybe the valve cover gaskets and/or seals?

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 AT 8:52 AM

3 Replies

F4I_GUY

MECHANIC
3,302 POSTS

If there is oil on top of the spark plug that is from your valve cover spark plug tube seals. They must be replaced.

That may not be your issue though. When's the last time you had a tune-up done? Have you tried doing a cylinder balance test?

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 AT 4:34 PM

ELLJAY04

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I have not had a balance ckeck, I have fairly recent plugs and wires-within last 6 mos. To be honest I am female with limited knowledge of auto problems. I will need to take it to a local mechanic. I am mainly trying to get a gauge on what the problem may be to get an idea of cost of repair. I believe the oil was all over the whole spark plug and in the cylinders.
Thank you very much for your reply.

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Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 AT 9:10 AM

F4I_GUY

MECHANIC
3,302 POSTS

Well depending on where on the spark plug the oil was this could be an internal engine problem (piston rings, valve seals) or it could be an easy fix such as valve cover spark plug seals (about $25 for parts and 0.8h to replace)

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Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 AT 5:06 PM