DOHC ZC 4th Gen
OhSTOPityouu.
Band Wagon
Basic run-down:
I just recently bought my first 91 Civic Wagon FWD 5 speed that's been sitting in a garage for about 4 years since 2010. I bought it for 500 with an engine problem. I thought it had low compression because of the misfires(cylinder 1 and 4). I tested it and it was good all around. One of the injector wires to injector cylinder 4 was cut off so I had to rewire it. Cylinder 4 started working again but cylinder 1 is still misfiring.
Things I've already done:
-Checked for compression, 130psi across(pretty low..)
-Checked for spark, all spark
-Checked for fuel, all injectors are clicking
-Checked for loose or cut wires to dizzy and other places and all seem to be fine besides the one I had just rewired
-Checked for leaks, no leaks
-Checked for burns, little white smoke comes out but I think that is due to the fact that it has been sitting for a long time
Now what I've noticed:
-Spark plug on cylinder 1 has carbon build-up, my guess would either be: 1)bad piston rings 2)bad valve stem seals 3)or a leak somewhere
Knowing that it can be multiple problems, I'm going to start replacing the valve stem seals first because it's easier. If the replacement doesn't seem to change the misfire, I will eventually be moving to the leak then to replacing the rings.
Please, if you have any suggestions, feel free to add anything that will help me indicate this problem. Thanks for viewing and I will update as soon as I can.
I just recently bought my first 91 Civic Wagon FWD 5 speed that's been sitting in a garage for about 4 years since 2010. I bought it for 500 with an engine problem. I thought it had low compression because of the misfires(cylinder 1 and 4). I tested it and it was good all around. One of the injector wires to injector cylinder 4 was cut off so I had to rewire it. Cylinder 4 started working again but cylinder 1 is still misfiring.
Things I've already done:
-Checked for compression, 130psi across(pretty low..)
-Checked for spark, all spark
-Checked for fuel, all injectors are clicking
-Checked for loose or cut wires to dizzy and other places and all seem to be fine besides the one I had just rewired
-Checked for leaks, no leaks
-Checked for burns, little white smoke comes out but I think that is due to the fact that it has been sitting for a long time
Now what I've noticed:
-Spark plug on cylinder 1 has carbon build-up, my guess would either be: 1)bad piston rings 2)bad valve stem seals 3)or a leak somewhere
Knowing that it can be multiple problems, I'm going to start replacing the valve stem seals first because it's easier. If the replacement doesn't seem to change the misfire, I will eventually be moving to the leak then to replacing the rings.
Please, if you have any suggestions, feel free to add anything that will help me indicate this problem. Thanks for viewing and I will update as soon as I can.
Comments
You may want to see if there's any leaks in the system. I sprayed carb cleaner around gaskets and meeting points to pinpoint leaks.kinda dangerous but it works if you know what you're doing.
Injectors don't like to sit for long periods of time without use. Sometimes just running them for a period of time can free up a stuck pintle, but if there is enough build up on the tip of the injector, it's not going to matter if it is clicking or not.
So I swapped the spark plugs as well as the wires around, still misses on cylinder 1. So I know my wires and plugs are good. I have also sprayed carb cleaner around the intake manifold gasket, no difference in sound or performance.
I will probably swap the injectors next. If not, fuel lines are plugged?Dizzy is bad?
Thanks everyone for their suggestions. I will update when i can.
Where's the corrosion on the distributor? Inside the cap? Or the distributor parts itself? Can always trying to clean up the cap.
Ahh, last but not least you could always try a valve adjust too.
I just switched the injectors around this morning. Still, cylinder 1 still misfiring. So for sure, the injectors are working as they should.
Now, it has to be the distributor that is the culprit. Yes, I have cleaned the inside of the cap. There is this little metal piece down the center of the cap(I think it's called a coil?). It was corroded there. I cleaned it off by sanding it down a bit. But looking at the rotor, it seems to be cleaned and not disturbed by corrosion very much. I should probably invest in replacing the cap and rotor though. That will be my next step, otherwise if I can find a whole obd0 distributor assembly at the junk yard or somewhere else for cheap, I will just go that route to replace it.
@JHMEE4, I haven't done a valve adjustment in a while, but a little research will be no problem. I suppose I could try that before I go about on the distributor parts. I just read a forum saying that adjusting a valve has something to do with the compression--about it not being able to close if valves are tightened tightly. I mean my compression is 130 all around, so would it be worth my time?
Thanks everyone for commenting and helping me to resolve this problem. I will update when I can. Minnesota will start seeing snow very soon.. ):
What did the spark plugs look like anyways? Where they all the same?