Any info on how much a valve job should cost me. My 96 Accord was running like a champ then one night started acting as though it was out of gas and started sputtering and finally stalled. Would start but with real bad idle. I took out spark plugs to find them all fouled out with oily soot. Removed valve cover to find one broken spring.

 

Head cleaning, valve replacements (some may be bent), reseating, new stem seals, crack detection, leak check, shaving to flat should cost about $250-$350 (my guess). I paid about $250 in Houston 4-5 yrs ago for this service on my 94 EX.

Head removal/reinstallation can run $400-$600.

If timing belt/ water pump has any age, you should consider replacing these at same time.

good luck

 

TexasHonda, thanks for your reply. I had the timing belt replaced not to long ago and they did the other stuff while in there. I just hope that the valve problem is what caused my problem.

 

After further thought, it is possible to replace the valve spring in situ (w/o removing head!). If valve was not damaged (?), you might get out cheaply.

However, broken spring could have allowed this valve to drop enough to hit a piston. Only way to know is a boroscope inspection through spark plug hole. You could also restore spring and measure compression to check valve sealing.

Oil in spark plug tubes is common and easily remedied; new valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals. LX engines require removal of valve train to access oring seals beneath rocker arm assembly.

good luck

 

As my luck would have it, LX engine. Maybe $1000 will get me through?

 

Oil in spark plug tubes is a $150 job by itself. Replacing the valve spring probably about the same.

Again, you could have a bent valve, requiring head removal, and $1000 may be closer to the cost.

good luck

 

I would just look into a used head. You can probably find one for $150 or so considering a whole F22 engine goes for $300-400. Check car-part.com to check auto recyclers near you.

 

I'm thinking I'll use the thick string in the cylinder to keep the valve from falling in, then replace the spring, put it all back together and see what happens. I probably should replace them all but I'll replace the broken one only just to see if that fixes my missing/terrible idle problem. Any thoughts?

 

That's a good plan. I don't know what the odds are but it's not a huge effort to replace one spring. If valve/rocker arm gap is very large, you have a bent valve and need go no further.

good luck

 

Yeah, that bent valve possibility is at the back of my mind, we'll see. I'll post results. Thanks for all your guys input.