Civic 1.7 Question

"Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig" (AndySheehan-StreetsideStig)
03/09/2015 at 11:39 • Filed to: None

Yesterday I installed some spark plugs in my friend's 2003 Civic with a D17. They old ones were, of course, drenched in oil. My friend said a mechanic had recommended replacing them but had wanted some insane amount of money for doing it (something like $20/plug just for parts). He had also replaced the valve cover gasket.

Why this yahoo didn't also replace the spark plug tube seals, or at least try to sell my friend that job is completely incomprehensible. Apparently he pulled out one spark plug to diagnose the rest. How did he not see the oil?

Anyway , now I'm going to be replacing the tube seals. But the Felpro kit comes with 8 seals. Is this like the older Honda engines, in which I'll need to remove the rocker arms first to put in some lower seals, or do these other four go somewhere else? Interwebs won't give me a straight answer.

When I did the job on my '90 Accord, I had to pull the rocker arms. But when I did it on an '02 Ford Zetec, there were no lower seals, and it was just the top ones.

Help is appreciated. Ridicule and berating is also appreciated.

DISCUSSION (20)

Funktheduck > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/09/2015 at 11:46

I have no idea.

CalzoneGolem > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/09/2015 at 11:46

HONDA'S ARE FOR GIRLS AND YOU'RE SMELLY!

Amidointhisrite?

dogisbadob > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/09/2015 at 11:47

Does that Civic call for iridium plugs? Most newer Hondas use them, and they are expensive. $20 from the dealer, or $10 online.

Not sure about those lower seals, though. My only experience is with Toyota, no lower seals, just the same spark plug tube seals in the valve cover gasket.

In a difficult to replace gasket like the back of a transverse V6, just replace the spark plugs and add a non-fouler—a spacer tat moves the plugs up a bit so they don't get oil all over them, but no point in doing this on your car where the one and only cover is easy to remove.

Takuro Spirit > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/09/2015 at 11:53

I assume those 5 smaller seals are for the bolts. 4 large ones are for the tubes.

Kinja'd!!!

Roadster Man > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/09/2015 at 11:55

Just make an account and hit up some Honda forums. I think someone who owns that car needs to help you out because I am thoroughly confused.

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/09/2015 at 11:57

no experience with Hondas, but with my Mazda I made sure to buy an oem valve cover gasket (tube seals are included). The oem was much nicer than the felpro I had originally bought. It was a perfect fit, while the felpro probably wouldn't have been. Look on civic forums for people who have done this and you'll find your answer.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > CalzoneGolem
03/09/2015 at 12:43

Still appreciated.

Also, I MAY BE SMELLY, BUT I KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH AN APOSTROPHE.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Takuro Spirit
03/09/2015 at 12:44

Yes. But there are 8 large ones.

CalzoneGolem > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/09/2015 at 12:48

Errant apostrophe FTL

Katsumoto > Takuro Spirit
03/09/2015 at 12:58

Just install a K20 and be done with it. JK

I had one of those Civics and never dealt with that on mine. I got it with 57k on spark plugs that were meant for 100k so I drove it until I sold it at 90k.

Takuro Spirit > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/09/2015 at 12:59

IM BLIND

Takuro Spirit > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/09/2015 at 13:00

Upper and lower? Inside / outside?

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Takuro Spirit
03/09/2015 at 14:31

That's...that's what I'm wondering.

brianbrannon > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/09/2015 at 19:16

Those are just extra. There's only four tube seals, no lowers

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > brianbrannon
03/09/2015 at 22:21

Extra? Why would they include four extra seals?

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/10/2015 at 02:26

I avoid working on Hondas like the plague, but I think the four extra, large seals are for other applications and won't necessarily fit yours. If it isn't obvious where they go, don't sweat finding them.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
03/10/2015 at 08:11

Ah, that makes sense.

brianbrannon > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/10/2015 at 10:05

Welcome to aftermarket parts

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > brianbrannon
03/10/2015 at 10:11

Er...I've been in the marketing department for an aftermarket parts retailer for four years. Someone else suggested that the other four seals were for a completely different engine that uses the same valve cover. Is that what you meant?

brianbrannon > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/10/2015 at 19:09

Or you only got half the valve cover gaskets for a V8 kit.