Trouble Starting, Occasional Overheating & Oil Burning
mellylou
Band Wagon
Hello There!
As a new owner of a my Honda Civic 1990 wagon, I have been learning a lot about my car and thanks to you all for being so darn helpful and for also taking the time to read this!
So, here's the general symptoms, from newest - oldest:
- When starting cold and/or hot, sometimes (1 out of 4 times) the engine will die once started, unless given some gas. Once put into gear and driving, no heavy idling, smoke, or strange sounds.
- Had to add quart of oil and it smells like burnt oil, but have not noticed any exhaust. There were no oil leaks when car was purchased and do not notice leaking oil.
- The dying engine problem began after the car overheated, going up a grade. Gas gauge climbed steadily and I pulled over when I noticed this. Let engine cool and added water to radiator. It was recommended that I replace radiator cap, so I did with cap w/ pressure release. Fan has been checked and does work. One spark plug had a white-ish tip.
- When running cold, as I get onto freeway, car sputters repeatedly until I'm into 5th gear and then runs smooth. Has been less frequent, since radiator cap was replaced and warmer weather.
- Car has overheated once prior and the overflow tank hose had fallen inside reservoir and o-ring was also missing. Fixed this.
Recently replaced: timing belt, water pump w/thermostat, starter, alternator
Anyone think this stuff is related? I'm really confused, poor and one of my mechanics suggested it could be a hairline crack in head gasket, or even worse--in the head. Hoping it is neither of these. Any creative thoughts?
- Melly Lou
As a new owner of a my Honda Civic 1990 wagon, I have been learning a lot about my car and thanks to you all for being so darn helpful and for also taking the time to read this!
So, here's the general symptoms, from newest - oldest:
- When starting cold and/or hot, sometimes (1 out of 4 times) the engine will die once started, unless given some gas. Once put into gear and driving, no heavy idling, smoke, or strange sounds.
- Had to add quart of oil and it smells like burnt oil, but have not noticed any exhaust. There were no oil leaks when car was purchased and do not notice leaking oil.
- The dying engine problem began after the car overheated, going up a grade. Gas gauge climbed steadily and I pulled over when I noticed this. Let engine cool and added water to radiator. It was recommended that I replace radiator cap, so I did with cap w/ pressure release. Fan has been checked and does work. One spark plug had a white-ish tip.
- When running cold, as I get onto freeway, car sputters repeatedly until I'm into 5th gear and then runs smooth. Has been less frequent, since radiator cap was replaced and warmer weather.
- Car has overheated once prior and the overflow tank hose had fallen inside reservoir and o-ring was also missing. Fixed this.
Recently replaced: timing belt, water pump w/thermostat, starter, alternator
Anyone think this stuff is related? I'm really confused, poor and one of my mechanics suggested it could be a hairline crack in head gasket, or even worse--in the head. Hoping it is neither of these. Any creative thoughts?
- Melly Lou
Comments
This next tip has a 33% chance of helping,but it's FREE so can't hurt.Goto the Honda dealer.Asked if the Ignitor in the distributor has been upgraded.For more info read this link:
+++ SiWagon Freebie:Honda Ignition Upgrade:D
As far as the oil.For now just keep track on how often you need to add oil.How many miles has it been since your last oil change?
Remember Terminator.Pull back the passenger side floor carpet(the slanted part).There maybe some clips holding the edges down.You'll see a GOLD plate w/a hole in the middle.Turn ignition on.See if it 's LED is flashing.If it is count the number of flashes.It'll repeat.Sample:1 flash...pause 4 flashes pause 1 flash pause 4 flashes means Code 1 & code 4.Could mean code 14.I think the pauses are shorter.Get back to us & we'll tell you what it means.There is a thread here some where on what the codes mean.