1991 Honda Accord is running rough and the engine vibrates?

[tillman7]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

No new timing belt? Given that this is an interference engine (I think) I would have changed it, even if it's not badly worn.

Again, this may go away over a period of a few weeks.

Given the facts on the ground as you present them, I don't see any reason not to just drive the car and see what happens.

Who did the work, dealer or indy shop? Did you go with the lowest bid? Did they use Honda or other parts?

My Scirocco came to me with Brazilian valve guide seals, these didn't seat properly on the head, "rode up" on the valve stems so effectively I didn't have any valve stem seals. The car used say a quart per 1000 miles but didn't smoke. Since then the head was re-done 2X and both times got German valve stem seals, typically does not use even a quart in 5000 or more miles.

I have heard the advice against doing a valve job on a worn motor, and yeah if the rings are badly worn doing a valve job just concentrates the leakage with the old rings, but both the 'roc and the Toy got valve grinds or replacement heads at over 150K miles and both worked out fine, on both cars I inspected the cylinders and found no obvious wear, I didn't use a micrometer or anything but no ridge that I could feel with a fingernail, etc.

indy shop. I went with the lowest bider, don't know if they used Honda parts.

[M3 Mitch]

In that case you may very well have got bogus seals or incorrectly installed.

But, whatever, even if the car blows a little smoke on startup, if you are out in the country where you don't have to SMOG it, even if you burn a quart every 1000 or so miles, it's still a very usable car.

You kids who have grown up with Japanese cars tend to freak out over any kind of oil leak or burning, back in the 50's essentially ALL cars burnt and leaked some oil, even if you get 40 MPG, add up what you spend for gas in 1000 miles, one more quart of oil for 3-4 bucks does not change the total much.

V-10 BMW M5 and M6 cars are known to burn some oil. Just because a car uses some oil does not make it a POS automatically.

[sean sean sean sean]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

But, whatever, even if the car blows a little smoke on startup, if you are out in the country where you don't have to SMOG it, even if you burn a quart every 1000 or so miles, it's still a very usable car.

Agree 100%

I'd look into it, of course, cuz why not? IMO it's almost guaranteed to be a poorly installed valve seal or two (can't imagine these WEREN'T replaced as part of the valve job) as opposed to worn rings, but even if you can't get the shop to go back and fix it for free or for a very reasonable price, it's nothing. It's not gonna hurt the car or cost you an arm and a leg in oil. Just pull that dipstick out every 1,000-1,500 and top it off....in fact, technically, this way you're constantly cycling in fresh oil between changes which is even better for longevity....although not for the environment, LOL.

ALL Hondas are known for valve seal wear. Little known fact, but (at least on all 4 Hondas I owned) the owners manual calls for valve adjustment every 15-20k miles as part of routine maintenance. I seriously doubt most people had this done, I know I never did, and look at all the Hondas out there with 300k+ miles on them.

Like Mitch said, it's entirely possible this goes away with time as well. Unless the first shop is gonna spring for a fix, all I would do is have the valves adjusted at 5,000 miles from now and another 10-15,000 after that....and if you wanna go nuts do it every 15-20k or whatever your owners manual says from then on (I wouldn't, personally). Keep an eye on the oil level and also about 3-5k miles from now, pull a spark plug or two and see if it's fouled (assuming they're in good condition now). Sometimes burning a little oil will foul the plugs a lot quicker, but usually if you're only experiencing a puff of smoke at startup the difference won't be noticeable. You could also try giving heavier oil (1 weight up from whatever the book calls for) a shot, but from what I've seen that old trick only works for worn rings....if even that, but it can't hurt.

In any case, being an original owner car that's had at the very least decent maintenance through it's entire life, it's still a baby at 150k miles. I'm sure you've got plenty of life left....glad the valve job at least got it running right for you!

[tillman7]

Thanks for the comments guys! It is OK to drive the car on a seven hour trip on the interstate?

[gbugmiami]

Yep, just keep an eye on the oil at at least every other fillup.

I have a 96 accord with 150k on it, consumes no oil, and from what i know has never had the valves adjusted! (i got it with 70k). i have done the timing belt twice and all that stuff. I sold my last (91) accord with 150k on it, and still see it cruising around (sold 5 years ago). PLenty of life left in em if you take care of them yes.

[M3 Mitch]

Originally Posted by tillman7

Thanks for the comments guys! It is OK to drive the car on a seven hour trip on the interstate?

Yeah, but do yourself a favor and buy some oil, whatever you are using, and put several quarts in the trunk. You can't count on c-stores having the brand and weight of oil you are using, and while it's permissible to mix various oils it's not the best practice - beyond that a case of oil at a discount store is a much better value for your money than buying the oil at c-stores.

Depending on what you are up to, it might make more sense to fly the roughly 350-400 miles I would think you would cover in 7 hours.

[M3 Mitch]

Originally Posted by tillman7

Thanks for the comments guys! It is OK to drive the car on a seven hour trip on the interstate?

So, how is this car working out for you now?

[tillman7]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

So, how is this car working out for you now?

The car is running like a kitten! I found a good mechanic who has once worked at the Honda dealership!

[GeorgiaBoy15]

It could be the fuel injection, the throttle position sensor, or the o2 sensor. Another thing is it might need a tune up.

[dbomber]

My 1991 honda accord idles rough during warm up and it smoothes out at 1000 rpm or more. The car runs great but vibrates noisily during idle. It seems to get rough after warm up when the fan kicks on. What would cause this problem. THANKS for your advice.