Protecting coils from water.

[Nick675]

So I finally got sick of the water on the coils problem and decided to resolve it yesterday. I took out the old plugs and replaced them with NGK BKR 6E11; only two were rusted. I cleaned up the coil contacts and used dielectric grease inside/outside the rubber sleeve. I used weather strip to keep water from getting down into the spark plugs/coils. I then used the weather strip to create a better seal on coil cover. Hope this helps others with the same problems. Today I drove to work in pouring down rain with no issues. I don't think any water will be getting down there anymore.

 

[EdinKali]

Still have to do the dielectric grease on mine soon. Winter is coming.

 

[nsxotic911]

Great post, thanks man! In Seattle, I've had similar problems, and concerns.
Getting water in there is NOT GOOD. I can't believe I didn't think of adding weather stripping I'm excited to do this, thanks again :smile:

 

[goldNSX]

I did a similar thing two or three years ago but yours looks slightly better. :wink: Hint: Both sides of the rear cover have to be done. Otherwise the water is pouring in on the lower side.

 

[LJSB]

There is supposed to be a gasket that runs along the top side of the coil cover that prevents water from going in.

Perhaps that was missing?

 

[ftuhy]

Hint: Both sides of the rear cover have to be done. Otherwise the water is pouring in on the lower side.

I disagree, at least in part - better leave a least some small spots for drainage or you'll trap condensation in there and create a worse problem.

My car is a daily driver, I don't take any special precautions when I wash the car, and I have driven many times through torrential downpours, but not deep puddles. When I did my timing belt 18 months ago, I made sure the OEM gaskets were at top (see post by pbassjo) , and lubricated them with silicon grease to make a good seal.

My spark plugs, etc, look brand new with over 55 kmi on them, so the OEM gaskets & design does work. I have seen people put the cover on upside down, with the gasket at the bottom. That's like making a bowl to collect water.

 

[goldNSX]

I disagree, at least in part - better leave a least some small spots for drainage or you'll trap condensation in there and create a worse problem.

I've to disagree.
There's enough room at the sides if ever water gets in.

 

[UnhuZ]

Hi,

I've to disagree.
There's enough room at the sides if ever water gets in.

I have to agree with our friend Goldy here :wink:

And this is a design flaw by Honda: With everything like it left the factory, all covers and gaskets, etc, water DOES get in there... this is a fact, as it costed me over $3000 to fix my engine and that gave the opportunity to carefully look at everything.

Nuno

 

[Nick675]

Well if you look at my photos 1. If water gets past the weather strip it will be blocked by the weather strip wrapped around the coil making a good seal and 2. I made sure I had a good seal on the top and sides where water is prone to coming in. I seriously doubt I will have any issues.

 

[ftuhy]

Nick,

Your design did leave the bottom edge open to drain, which was my point.

goldNSX and Nuno,

Maybe its a terminology thing, but I meant to leave the bottom open. I agree its OK to seal the side edges in addition to a seal on the top (as in the OEM). But, if you think the bottom edge needs to be sealed, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.:wink: