91 ZC Wagon Overheating: Losing Oil and Water

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  • I adjusted the timing as far as the dizzy would let me... no luck.
    Then I took the dizzy off!! I don't know why. Now I have to figure out how to put it back in the right way

    I will look for vac leaks again, but yesterday I found none.
    I am thinking either the distributor needs to be replaced, or the cam needs a slight adjustment.

    Does anyone know if I can adjust the cam from the dizzy side? or do I have to take the timing belt off?

    I haven't actually driven the car, I just rev'd it up and held the pedal at different RPMs. It sounded pretty smooth and even all around; except idle.
  • leWolfleWolf Senior Wagonist
    Higher compression ZC? Should be TONS of fun!
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    No. You can't adjust the cam except by moving the belt on the gear. Doesn't sound like that's your problem anyway, though.

    The distributor will only go one way. Look at the slot in the end of the camshaft and the corresponding tangs on the distributor. See that they are off-center? Got it? Good.

    3 4
    1 2 <-distributor viewed from tranny end.

    Check for problems with the IAC (idle air control). They're notoriously hinky until all the air is bled from the cooling system anyway. The way it functions is by bypassing air around the throttle plate, giving the same effect as partially opening the throttle. The ECU sees 'lean' from the o2 sensor, adds fuel=bingo. That's a big oversimplification but you get the idea.

    Test it: Take off the intake arm and look for a port in in the throttle body in front of the butterfly. With the engine cold, running (IAC open) you should feel a strong vacuum there. You may even choke the engine down by plugging it with your finger. As the engine warms up, that pull should be less and less, but never completely shut.

    Any flash codes from the ECU?
  • Thanks for the tip bam,
    I am starting to think that between the system having air in it, and the leak on the t-stat housing... there my problem lies.
    I'll be able to take a good look at it Sat. Thanks for the tips...

    I haven't bled any systems at all... I guess I didn't realize it could have any real effect on idle. Oh, and NO engine codes as of now.
  • This is what happens when I start the car... (the shaking toward the end of the clip isn't really as bad as it looks in the video)

    http://91civicwagon.blogspot.com/2009/1 ... -idle.html

    She doesn't even try to idle... It will run smooth with my foot on the gas, but no idle.
    I've tried adjusting the timing at the distributor, and I tried playing with the idle. No Luck

    I am still running through some of the suggestions yall given; like IAC and dizzy rotor, but I thought hearing it for yourself might help.

    I am trying to read through bleeding the coolant system now.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    IAC. Coolant circulates through it. Remember what your water pump impeller looked like?
  • so you think that gunk has funked up the AIC? And that's causing the problem?
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    I would sure look at it first.

    If you hold the throttle cracked open, will it idle where it should (750rpms)?
  • I will try tomorrow. The car will run at any RPM I want it to, using the gas pedal! It will even run way below idle if I ease the throttle that low. But as soon as I take my foot off, it cuts out.

    The thing is, it's hard to find anything about the AIC in the manual... heck the manual calls it the EACV.

    I really don't know what all I can do to troubleshoot it?
    I'll search HT in the morning.
    thanks
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    bam-bam wrote:

    Test it: Take off the intake arm and look for a port in in the throttle body in front of the butterfly. With the engine cold, running (IAC open) you should feel a strong vacuum there. You may even choke the engine down by plugging it with your finger. As the engine warms up, that pull should be less and less, but never completely shut.

    EACV- same thing. Idle Air Control is just a generic term, sorry.
  • SHE"S RUNNING VERY WELLLLL!!

    You were right on bam-bam!
    The Electronic Air Control Valve was crusted and clogged with the same funk that was on my water pump. I took the it off, took it apart and cleaned it with brake cleaner. It fired right up and idled perfect after that!

    Loading pics and vids now.
  • This was the problem; All that corrosion and rust from the water pump was clogging the Electronic Air Control valve (EACV or IAC). bam-bam called it. He told me three times to check it out... it finally sunk in. =]

    Video if her idling:
    http://91civicwagon.blogspot.com/2009/12/shes-running.html

    BEFORE:
    715.jpg

    716.jpg

    AFTER
    717.jpg

    718.jpg
  • Now the hard part is over... I noticed the car vibrates at idle. Seems like it could idle a lil higher so I'll have to play with that. I've also noticed a "clunk" when I shift sometimes. I think I have a busted mounted somewhere in the drivetrain. I'll have to track that down too.

    Next up: Tint and coilovers!

    Here are some clean-up pics for everyone!

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    727.jpg

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    729.jpg
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    Check the bushes around the diff.
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