HELP!!! Stuck in Vegas...Engine died after 350 miles

Jim2Jim2 Band Wagon
in Engine & Drivetrain
I drove my 1990 wagon from slc to almost las vegas yesterday. The car acted like it had run out of gas car started to buck and pop and wouldn't keep running..once it died completely it wouldn't start again...I'm kind of stuck now and not sure what to do..Any advice? Anyone in Vegas want to lend me a hand? If i can't get it running I'm torn between junking it or paying to have it shipped to Salt Lake. If there is someone who can help, give me a call @ 716-863-6934.

THX

Jim

Comments

  • SiWagonSiWagon Council Member
    Forget about shipping it.TOO MUCH $$$$$$$$$$$$
    FFind a local garage & get it fixed.

    Try to see if you can get spark.If NO spark ignition prob.

    Shoot carb cleaner or starting fluid into the intake manifold through 1 of the vac. hoses to see if it starts?If it does it's a fuel prob.

    Might be a Ignitor prob.Honda dealer can put in in for free.See this link:
    viewtopic.php?f=7&t=104&p=454#p454

    We have a few members in Vegas,but haven't heard from them in a while.Maybe 1 of the other members can hook u up.
    Good Luck.
  • sobe_deathsobe_death New Wagonist
    FIRST THING TO CHECK!!!! Pop off the distributor cap and make sure the rotor screw hasn't backed out. Even though the rotor is indexed to the shaft, if this screw pops off it will wallow out the rotor and it will spin freely, completely screwing how the engine runs. I have seen this on several 88-91 civics, including my own, and after pulling hair out it sucks finding out that it's a simple problem.

    Best of luck to you!
  • StockStock Wagonist
    Not sure where in Vegas you or the car is, but give TrevTec Motorsports a call @ 702/838-9199. Tell Trevor Stock referred you... Not sure what his workload is but he might be able to help you out.
  • White&NerdyWhite&Nerdy Senior Wagonist
    First thing to do is pop some coins in the slot machines and try to win a new car to drive home. :lol:
  • noahrexionnoahrexion Wagonist
    based on one of the most non-descriptive, short explanations available... I would say it sounds like a dead alternator.
    Have you had any other issues like this ever before? Main relay? Were there lights dimming, radio cutting out anything like that? Really sounds like alternator pooped, drained battery and no ignition/dead car.

    I'd love to pick up a "junked" wagon for a simple reason like this. Bring that into a garage and get it fixed; I'm sure its something easy. Good luck and keep everyone posted.
  • Eagle BeagleEagle Beagle familEE
    yeah, and ...
    gotta have that smile
    :mrgreen:
  • Jim2Jim2 Band Wagon
    Thanks for the replies everyone...I don't have so much as a screwdriver here. i have a friend that ships cars and said he would move it for $200 - $250. i'm at the Rio. Hopefully It's something easy 'cause I've grown attached to it. i was planning an overhaul this spring.
  • ricefighterricefighter Wagonist
    whats the update? did you found the trouble? yes the dizzy. its the usual part that goes south.



    wagon......................4ever.......................
  • Jim2Jim2 Band Wagon
    Woo Hoo...Thanks you guys all rock...Funny story..just met a guy in a casino who brought me a screwdriver...it was the rotor screw that backed out....So the wagon lives and i'll drive it back to SLC tomorrow. thank you for your help and i'll give you all an update as i get the restoration underway!
  • Eagle BeagleEagle Beagle familEE
    Well,,,

    i luvvv a happy ending ...

    every now and then

    : )
  • sobe_deathsobe_death New Wagonist
    Jim2 wrote:
    Woo Hoo...Thanks you guys all rock...Funny story..just met a guy in a casino who brought me a screwdriver...it was the rotor screw that backed out....So the wagon lives and i'll drive it back to SLC tomorrow. thank you for your help and i'll give you all an update as i get the restoration underway!

    I win!!!! :P haha glad to hear you got it back up and running and I hope you have many years of wagon fun! It's a disease not easily cured!
  • skinnyskinny Senior Wagonist
    Eagle Beagle wrote:
    Well,,,

    i luvvv a happy ending ...

    every now and then

    : )
    I like them from the call girl I have on retainer :lol:
  • Jim2Jim2 Band Wagon
    So the story continues...I made it about 20 miles out of Vegas before it did it again. I waited for a Highway Patrol to come by after about 30 minutes...He had some tools and I stuck some tape in the threads...That held and got me back to Salt Lake...

    On another note...My engine burned about 5 quarts of oil on the 800 mile round trip. I've been thinking about putting in one of those used ZC engines in. Is it simply pull the old one out and put the new one in? Or do i have to do some fabrication?

    http://www.hmotorsonline.com/shop/sc200 ... item=30022

    I'll post some pictures as this project gets rolling.

    Thanks for all your help

    Jim
  • evol911evol911 familEE
    ZC are simple! SOHC ZC being the easiest seeing how they basicaly the same as the D16A6 (OE Rt4wd motor) DOHC is slightly more involved with some wire changes and different mounting brackets for peripheral(s) i.e. PS. If your wagon is originally a 1.5l(D15 motor) then you will have to convert it to the MPFI. Easy conversion though, you can find more info on DPFI to MPFI conversion than porn on the internet now-a-days :lol:
  • skinnyskinny Senior Wagonist
    love my SOHC ZC. Love it more then the b16 I had. The ZC mixed with the gearing of the RT4WD its just nuts.
  • CharbCharb Administrator
    skinny wrote:
    The ZC mixed with the gearing of the RT4WD its just nuts.

    Is your car turbo? If not surely you must be kidding...
  • skinnyskinny Senior Wagonist
    Well the b16 I had, had type r headers on it and a 2.5 inch exhaust. needless to say it was litterally gutt-less under 3k. In town driving i never hit over 2500. The over all low gearing of the RT tranny mixed with the ZC's lower end power is a great combo. As with all my motors I try and keep the max rpm at 3k for in town driving. The car is VERY responsive and peppy in the lower rpm's. Now the top end is another thing. Im getting a turbo and a hx mani for dirt cheap from a friend. Once I get to obd1 I will slap that on and let you know how the top end is 8)



    Oh and FYI. The top end is so crappy. from a dead stop, i got my doors blown off by a jeep cheroke laraedo :cry: we were stopped at a rail road x-ing on my way to edgefield from mcminville. long story. we were neck and neck and I though I might have him and hit 3rd. There was no more go then there was in 2nd :lol: I dont suppose honda made these cars for drag racing? :lol: :P :mrgreen:
  • jb2wheelsjb2wheels Wagonist
    Worth keeping $5 worth of tools in car since with a 10mm wrench and a #2 philips we can just about tear down the whole car.

    $10 well spent at Harbor Freight or equivalent gets you a cheap socket set and a couple of screwdrivers to store with the spare tire.
  • Jim2Jim2 Band Wagon
    The next exit I stopped and bought a little tool box to keep in the car. I was kicking myself the second time that i was too dumb to get tools before hand. Now I'm ready!
Sign In or Register to comment.

© Vanilla Keystone Theme 2025