So it's funny you ask... I started in the front, left corner, not sure which # plug but as I was trying to turn I was being obnoxiously careful because I knew they hadn't been changed before. It wasn't turning at first so I was like alright let me work on the next one and come back to it. Am I turning the wrong way? I questioned my entire existence in that moment, lol!

So I got the middle plug removed with relative ease and was like alright let me go back to the first one. It just needed a little bit of tough love and it came right out. I was definitely careful about it though because again, I also didn't want mine to be seized or anything either. So overall it was an easy job and took me almost an hour. I was taking my time though and just being extremely careful with each plug because I didn't want to strip anything.

I tried to torque the first one to 13 ft. lbs but it turned a little more after my torque wrench clicked so I was like nope nope nope I'll tighten by hand and leave them be. I'm not trying to strip the heads. It's like playing with fire.

I think it's important to address any CEL's that the car has, which it's had two since I got the car from my parents late last year (P0443, P0497). Through my research it has indicated a bad/faulty purge valve. So I ordered one, but the one that was about $90 cheaper than the one specifically for the 07 Accord. I actually got an OEM Honda valve as well, not some aftermarket brand one, so it's OEM Denso, from Amazon. Free returns if it's a fake so thankfully there's a safeguard in place.

Evidently the same purge valve from a Honda Odyssey is compatible with the J30A5. I verified (based purely off of looks) and it looks to be identical. Slightly different part numbers, so the one I ordered is 36162-RJA-A01

It was originally scheduled to arrive next Tuesday but it's already in my regions local network so I'm hopeful that it'll arrive today or tomorrow. It's being shipped via USPS so hopefully it gets here fast! I'm super excited to get this piece knocked out and I'm even more happy that I was able to get an OEM part that will be a direct fit for almost half the cost of the original part. And for some reason, the Denso valve that's currently on the car as we speak seems to be the original valve, but it also says "Made in Mexico." Strange.

I'll provide updates once I get the new valve, install it and hopefully clear these engine codes. Link attached for reference.

Genuine Honda 36162-RJA-A01 Purge Control Solenoid Valve

lol. My plugs get changed on schedule every 30k but I always have a little can of penetrating oil just in case I need to help one out because I always expect the worst, even though it never happens. Honda is wonderful about using not the strongest metals on threaded holes...at least they were back in the day.

I also do the hand tighten and then 1/32 of a turn with my hand ratchet. Glad you got them replaced without any real drama.

This was the first time they had been changed on the Accord. But evidently the iridium plugs can go for 100K. So that's sort of nice that I won't have to worry about them for a while as long as I don't experience any misfiring or anything. But yeah I think I'll adopt the same practice when changing plugs moving forward. As long as they're seated and tight, I'm not worried about putting my torque wrench on there. No need to.

Purge control valve solenoid replaced, check engine light cleared. Super stoked to have no lights on the dash now! Running and operating smooth as can be for a car of its kind.






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Took a quick, long distance trip last night after work, drove 195 miles. I filled up today (was a bit above half a tank still) and calculated my mileage. Yielded 30.52 miles per gallon. Unsure whether it’s attributed to the spark plug replacement or the purge valve, but either way, that’s exceptional mileage and I could not be happier about it!


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