Rough idle and dying in neutral

Evan_LovellEvan_Lovell Band Wagon
in Engine & Drivetrain
I just picked up my first wagon. Its a 91 1.6. Like the title says i have a really rough idle and it tends to die in neutral from time to time. At running temp the idle will jump up to about 1500 and fluctuate from 1000 to 1500 then it will drop down to 300 and the engine will stumble a bit and then it will just die. Ive looked around on here and other honda forums but havent really found anything similar. Since i bought it in november ive replaced the fuel filter, plugs, wires, and air filter(these were all suggested from threads i read). But nothing has worked so far. Has anybody run into this? Or have any ideas as to whats causing it?


I think I fixed the idle problem for the most part. It was one of the plugs thats connected to the distributor( it had a bunch of oil in it.) It still stumbles from time to time. But now it wont start after running for a while. It turns over but it wont fire. It seems like either not enough power from the alt or no fuel. Has anyone had this problem?

Comments

  • WagoDanWagoDan Wagonist
    I know these things have issues with the idle motors, make sure your coolant level is correct and no air pockets as the idle motors have coolant running through them, may need a new one.
  • Evan_LovellEvan_Lovell Band Wagon
    what would be the best way to check for air pockets?
  • 90shuttle90shuttle Senior Wagonist
    i would think maybe start the car with the rad. cap off, and keep topping it off with coolant, until theres no bubbles in there...
  • Evan_LovellEvan_Lovell Band Wagon
    Sounds easy enough. Where is the idle motor?
  • geezfoolsgeezfools Wagonist
    and you've cleaned the IACV?
  • Evan_LovellEvan_Lovell Band Wagon
    Is the iacv different from the idle motor?
  • geezfoolsgeezfools Wagonist
    I don't know what an idle motor is, so maybe....
    do a search on here for "IACV cleaning" or on google for "civic IACV cleaning" and you should be able to connect the dots
  • darktricksterdarktrickster Wagonist
    idle motor would be the same thing as the IACV. Make sure that you are full on coolant and if it still does it you can unbolt it without unplugging it or disconnecting the coolant lines and put a cleaner in it. Hold it flat (perpendicular to the way it was mounted) and fill up one of the two air holes with cleaning agent of choice (I use gas). Then have a buddy turn the key to on (don't start it). You'll see the cleaner level out as the IACV pulses a little. Then bolt it back on and see what you get. If that doesn't fix it, try turning down the idle while its doing it until it stops (you could try this first as it is easier). Good luck!
  • darktricksterdarktrickster Wagonist
    ^that's the cheap fast backyard mechanic fix BTW.
  • geezfoolsgeezfools Wagonist
    In my opinion, pulling the thing out so you can see if it's clean is a little better, but whatever you have to work with and whatever you want to put into it. DO some searching and see what has worked for others and follow suit
  • Evan_LovellEvan_Lovell Band Wagon
    Thanks for the advice guys! I checked my coolant and cleaned the IACV the other day and it worked... for a couple days. Could it be a bad IACV?
  • DKW 86DKW 86 Band Wagon
    See my thread on Erratic Idle.
    1) Cleaned my IACV (Idle Air Control Valve, Sometimes called a IACMotor) two times with carb cleaner. It got better.
    W01331919981OES.JPG

    The IACV will look something like this. The tubes for coolant can be in any configuration. Mine was on the intake manifold on the driver's side between the engine and firewall.
    2) Burped the coolant out of air bubbles. There is a vent screw, or petcock, on the top of the thermostat housing on the front of the motor.The upper radiator hose goes to this housing.
    3) Eventually replaced the Temperature Sending Unit. Mine was on back of the motor under the manifiold.

    My rough idle was only when hot with a hard start problem when hot as well.
  • tpar1220tpar1220 Band Wagon
    do the 87 1.5's have this contraption?
  • DKW 86DKW 86 Band Wagon
    952.jpg
    This is supposed to be what a 1987 Civic 1.5l IACV looks like.
  • tpar1220tpar1220 Band Wagon
    ok.. thank you sir. now i just need to figure out where it's located.
Sign In or Register to comment.

© Vanilla Keystone Theme 2025