Dirty OIl in an Old Honda

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aalexis@gmail.com - 01 Jul 2005 17:02 GMT

Hi;
My mother in law has our old 83 accord; she has not changed the oil in
ages and ages and it is filthy. The engine started making a rattling
sound around the belt area, like a pulley needed oil. The gas company
guy stopped her on the road, and told her she needed an oil change and
it would fix the noise.

That doesn't sound likely to me, but is it POSSIBLE? I will definitely
find out tonight after I change the oil (my first oil change I have
done by myself..).

Andy Alexis

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HLS@nospam.nix - 01 Jul 2005 17:31 GMT

> Hi;
> My mother in law has our old 83 accord; she has not changed the oil in
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> find out tonight after I change the oil (my first oil change I have
> done by myself..).

An oil change would be a good first step.
If you can, let it idle until the engine is warm; then shut it off and drain
the warm oil.
Change the filter (you can use a cheap Walmart filter if available), replace
the oil
(you could use a cheap oil of the proper grade) and see if you helped the
situation. I would change again in a couple hundred miles if this bought
you any relief, this time using better
grade oil and filter.

What else could it be? Valve train components, idler, belt or chain,
lifters, worn camshaft
(generically speaking...a particular engine might have a chain and gears,
others might have belts,
but the principle is the same.)

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RV - 01 Jul 2005 18:38 GMT

>Hi;
>My mother in law has our old 83 accord; she has not changed the oil in
>ages and ages and it is filthy. The engine started making a rattling
>sound around the belt area, like a pulley needed oil. The gas company
>guy stopped her on the road, and told her she needed an oil change and
>it would fix the noise.

Blocked / gummed lifter, not uncommon in a multivalve motor with a
lack of oil changes or the wrong oil.

>That doesn't sound likely to me, but is it POSSIBLE? I will definitely
>find out tonight after I change the oil (my first oil change I have
>done by myself..).

Either, do a an extra oil change in between normal intervals to try to
clean it up a bit.
If the noise persists, moslty likely will, dont let it thrash the cam
it will need flushing, there is a Honda flush kit.
Use it, dont drive with it in the engine or go revving it up, just let
it idle for a decent period rasing the revs a bit now now and then,
dump it then new oil and filter.

If it still persist youll need to whip out the gummed lifter and
replace/fix it.

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RV - 01 Jul 2005 18:44 GMT

>Hi;
>My mother in law has our old 83 accord; she has not changed the oil in
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>find out tonight after I change the oil (my first oil change I have
>done by myself..).

Oops, 83 accord.
Disregard my other reply then.

Better have a look at the cam belt as well as changing oil abd filt.

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aalexis@gmail.com - 01 Jul 2005 22:04 GMT

> >Hi;
> >My mother in law has our old 83 accord; she has not changed the oil in
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Better have a look at the cam belt as well as changing oil abd filt.

Thanks for all of the helpful replies, I'll post what happens...
Andy

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Erik - 01 Jul 2005 22:30 GMT

> Hi;
> My mother in law has our old 83 accord; she has not changed the oil in
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Andy Alexis

Bet the noise turns out to be a bad waterpump.

Good Luck!

Erik

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Garry - 03 Jul 2005 01:31 GMT

yes the noise CAN be the water pump; however, it can also be power
steering pump, alternator, compressor (if have a one), idler pulley, or
valve train components. One method of finding this problem is to
purchase a mechanic's stethescope under $20 or you can use a piece of
pipe (around 12") or a long screwdriver. (Example) Place one end on the
alternator and the other on your ear (close the piece on your ear that
is before you enter your ear canal) (Be careful and stay away from the
drive belts!!!). Go around various parts until you hear where the
sound is the loudest.....Keep the oil changed it is very important.
You can go to Autozone, O'reilly or whatever parts store you have and
do a engine oil flush... It is around $5. I have done this to many
vehicles that have gone a while without changing the oil. And change
the oil/filter again in 100-200 miles and let the oil drain out and go
do something else so it can drain good.

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twillmon@cybermesa.net - 02 Jul 2005 13:28 GMT

>Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
>Hi;
>My mother in law has our old 83 accord; she has not changed the oil
>in ages and ages and it is filthy. The engine started making a
>rattling sound around the belt area, like a pulley needed oil. The
>gas company guy stopped her on the road, and told her she needed an
>oil change and it would fix the noise.
>That doesn't sound likely to me, but is it POSSIBLE? I will
>definitely find out tonight after I change the oil (my first oil
>change I have done by myself..).
>Andy Alexis
I have had cam failures (cracks, drive-end breakage) in 84 and 85 Civics.

Tom Willmon
near Mountainair, (mid) New Mexico, USA

Net-Tamer V 1.12.0 - Registered

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HLS@nospam.nix - 04 Jul 2005 14:26 GMT

Well, what did you find out, Andy?

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