Bent valve on 1996 Honda Accord

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I suspect there is more wrong with the engine, and he is telling you it is a bent valve. It wouldn't surprise me if the car is making knocking noises from other parts of the engine, making engine rebuilding or replacement necessary.

Combine that cost with the price of all the other needs of the car, and the cost of all that greatly exceeds the value of the entire car.
 
So.... I drove the car with my buddy. He was surprised it ran so well, he is not sure there is a bent valve. It did not sound nearly as bad as a video I watched on Youtube. That video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hea9L7CEvZU It does idle rough, but smoothes out over 1500 rpm. We found receipts in the glove box for recent front brakes, rotors and calipers, new front suspension items, $784 worth of work done 3k miles ago. There were also oil change records dating back to 2009. I decided to take the risk and purchase the car. I paid $700 for it. Figure if I drive it until it dies I will get around half that money back. That could be next week, or 5 years from now. I am not going to worry about it - if my son hits something, I don't have much money invested. I appreciate everyone's opinions. I decided to live dangerously!
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Originally Posted By: Zaedock
I just listened to the video. You got screwed.


I would find a new mechanic too.



That's a video he found on youtube. Not his car. At least, that's what I gathered.
 
Originally Posted By: Zaedock
I just listened to the video. You got screwed.


I would find a new mechanic too.



I don't think that's the car the OP bought. The thread title states 1996 model year, and the youtube video states 1994 model year.
 
Originally Posted By: DutchBrad
I am not going to worry about it - if my son hits something, I don't have much money invested. I appreciate everyone's opinions. I decided to live dangerously!
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father of the year.
 
Originally Posted By: DutchBrad
So.... I drove the car with my buddy. He was surprised it ran so well, he is not sure there is a bent valve. It did not sound nearly as bad as a video I watched on Youtube. That video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hea9L7CEvZU It does idle rough, but smoothes out over 1500 rpm.


That is typical of a bent valve. The valve is bent just enough that it can't close all the way. At higher engine speeds gasses flow faster so everything works almost normally. It isn't running optimally, and the valve can potentially burn and one way or another "bad things" will happen if you try to use it like that for any length of time. You can confirm the bent valve(s) with a leakdown test, but you're already in for the dime so you may as well pull the head off.

With the head off you'll probably see the bent valve right away, but can be sure of any slight bend by putting water in the chambers and seeing which valves don't seal. Also, a tiny divot on a piston will be an easy-to-see telltale.
 
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The video is NOT my car. My car sounds nothing like that one. I was very happy the car does not sound like that! Doing research on the Honda forums, it could be as simple as a vacuum leak. We will see. Many cars have 250-300k on up. I am waiting for a new battery to come in. My mechanic buddy can get me a blemished Interstate battery for $50. Don't lose any sleep over this everyone, I know I am not!!
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Originally Posted By: yonyon

That is typical of a bent valve. The valve is bent just enough that it can't close all the way. At higher engine speeds gasses flow faster so everything works almost normally. It isn't running optimally, and the valve can potentially burn and one way or another "bad things" will happen if you try to use it like that for any length of time.

Bad things will happen anyway, as we're dealing with a teenage boy in his first car!

Is he a good boy, DutchBrad?
 
My son Austin is a computer kid. He will drive whatever I give him. I just took him out in the Accord today. He learned to drive with two feet! It does not like to idle, but right off idle it takes off. So i hold the throttle open slightly to keep it running at a stoplight. It is a fun car to drive. After driving minivans, this thing is a go cart! I am having the compression checked next week, will likely put a used motor/trans in the car. I have been searching on line, around $400-500 buys a motor and for another $200-250 a transmission. I found it strange that the prices did not change much based on miles. 100k motor is $400. 250k motor is $400. I have had several friends tell me to drive it until it dies, then replace the motor and/or trans. We will see. I have a tow strap in the trunk.
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I am going to start driving it, parking the Astro to save on gas. Austin is a very careful kid, I doubt he will damage the car. I am amazed how everything works. The power windows, cruise control, etc. LIKEY!
 
Good luck to you. I think this would make a great first car for your son. However, it just seem like a money pit. Sometimes used Honda cars hold their value too well.
 
Meh, that doesn't seem like a money pit.

Now a 1994 BMW 530i, that's a money pit.

Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
Good luck to you. I think this would make a great first car for your son. However, it just seem like a money pit. Sometimes used Honda cars hold their value too well.
 
Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
Good luck to you. I think this would make a great first car for your son. However, it just seem like a money pit. Sometimes used Honda cars hold their value too well.


If a the car would have been maintained even basically it might be a good buy, but this thing probably has been thrashed within an inch of its life.

I agree once they start replacing the major items plenty of aux items will fail a short time later.
 
Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
Good luck to you. I think this would make a great first car for your son. However, it just seem like a money pit. Sometimes used Honda cars hold their value too well.


If a the car would have been maintained even basically it might be a good buy, but this thing probably has been thrashed within an inch of its life.

I agree once they start replacing the major items plenty of aux items will fail a short time later.


There was $784 in receipts from 3k miles ago and oil change records in the glovebox per the OP so I doubt it was thrashed too bad. I'd just go to the local pullapart and get a new head.
 
Hello everyone. Just a quick update. I have put around 300 miles on this car since purchasing it 2 weeks ago - currently at 216,7xx miles. I have changed the oil, cleaned the intake, changed the air filter and PCV valve. It runs better, but still misses at idle. Right off idle it takes off. Plenty of power. I will have a compression test done sometime in the next month. The stereo that was left in the car (Pioneer CD deck) and rear 6x9 speakers are new or nearly new, so if the car has a catastrophic failure, those parts are coming with me. She runs good, even the cruise works! Took a 120 mile drive with my son yesterday to get some hours for his permit. The State of Michigan requires 50 hours of driving, so this Accord will be the primary vehicle for his training. Runs down the highway great!
 
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I wouldn't have wasted a cent on that motor, as long as their is oil in it its fine.


Yep! Either fix it correctly or don't invest a penny into it and drive it until it dies. Keep a screwdriver in the car so you can pull the plates off it and leave it on the side of the road!
 
I will likely drive it like it is. When/if it breaks, I will consider what I want to do then... The car is so tight, does not drive like it has that many miles....
 
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