alpinegroove

My 99 Civic LX needs to pass smog in a couple of weeks.

CEL is currently on with code P1362 (TDC sensor no signal). The sensor was tested and is bad.

Additionally, the car is losing coolant internally. System was pressure-tested. No external leaks and the thermostat and fans operate normally.

Combustion leak test detected 70+ ppm HCs.

The questions:

1. If I fix/replace the distributor and clear the CEL, how long will it be before I can pass smog, assuming there is nothing else wrong?

2. Can the possible head gasket leak affect smog results?

In other words, I wouldn't replace the distributor if the head gasket also needed to be replaced to pass smog.

The car drives fine.

Any thoughts?

Former User

Replace the distributor and go from there.

alpinegroove

I am hesitant to do that. I don't want to spend that money (~$500) if a head gasket job is also necessary to pass smog.

So the question really is whether the head gasket findings above could affect the smog test.

Former User

Why spend $500 for a distributor? Buy a rebuilt or aftermarket, like Beck-Arnley.

alpinegroove

I read in various places that they are not reliable.

Just started thinking about getting one from a junk yard.

Is it fairly simple to replace myself?

The extent of my experience is replacing the radiator (plus hoses, thermostat, switch) and the exhaust manifold / catalytic converter.

But I don't want to go through the trouble if then the head gasket will make it fail smog.

Former User

Replacing a distributor is easier than replacing a radiator - no coolant refill or bleeding. Yeah, pick up used, inexpensive OEM distributor from a junk yard. You can then swap parts between it and your current one.

Nobody can answer your question about the impact of the head gasket on smog because we have no idea how much coolant is burning in the cylinders. Give us a sense of how bad it is.

alpinegroove

I thought this could answer something: Combustion leak test detected 70+ ppm HCs.

I think I can drive about 100 miles before the coolant drops low enough that I see metal when I remove the radiator cap. I then refill, and the car drives fine.

The problem is on longer trips or when I forget to check, and then it overheats. That happened three times, unfortunately. Each time I thought it was some air bubbles in the radiator following the recent replacement although I bled it. When it happened the third time, I took the car in.

A shop did a pressure test and determined there weren't any external leaks.

Former User

The combustion leak test measures exhaust gas entering the cooling system. A smog test measures exhaust gas at the tail pipe. When you drive, do you see a lot of white smoke from the tail pipe?

Post the sheet from your smog test.

Former User

Distributor replacement and other related information:

alpinegroove

No, I don't see smoke. I have done the smog test yet. It's due in a couple of weeks.

I think my plan is to pick up a distributor from a junk yard, replace it, reset the CEL and hope for the best...

I think I remember reading that you can't pass smog right after resetting the ECU. Is that the case?

alpinegroove

The instructions seem straightforward, except for the following:

"Bring the No 1 piston to compression stroke TDC."

"Set the ignition timing."

I see the ignition timing setting section, but I just don't understand any of that.

Former User

If you don't see white smoke, then the amount of coolant burning in the cylinders is likely small and won't have a huge impact on the smog test. So fix the distributor by the least expensive route you can and take the smog test.

Then immediately replace the head gasket to avoid permanently destroying the engine. Hopefully you haven't done this already by letting the engine severely overheat.

alpinegroove

The temperature gauge never made it to the red zone, but I know that that doesn't mean no damage was done.

I can't replace the head gasket myself, and again, I am not sure I want to spend that kind of money on the car.

By replacing the distributor, I am looking to buy some time while looking for another car.

Former User

Don't worry about setting the engine to TDC1 because you don't need to remove the cap and rotor. Just remove the entire distributor.

The distributor has 3 ears where it lies against the head and where the bolts insert. Do you see the top ear in the picture? Use a sharpie pen and draw a straight line across the head/distributor junction of the top ear before you remove the distributor. Draw a line at the same position across the top ear of the replacement distributor. When you insert the new distributor into the head, align the lines on the head and distributor and the ignition timing should be very close.

And buy a new Honda O-ring to avoid an oil leak after the replacement.

Former User

Good luck. Post again if you have more questions.

alpinegroove

Thanks. That's helpful.

Do I need to oil the O-ring before installing?

Former User

Yes, lightly with motor oil.

Former User

Driving the car for 30 minutes or so after resetting the ECU should be adequate. The smog dude will tell you whether a sensor reading by the ECU isn't ready. In that case do some more driving.

alpinegroove

Great, thanks!

alpinegroove

Picked one up from the junk yard for $60 and 1-year warranty. Then noticed that the electrical connector didn't fit the connector on my car. They were quite different. I am not sure what that was about.

The junk yard only had one.

Ended up installing a new Duralast Gold distributor from Auto Zone. $160 with lifetime warranty.

The main objective right now is to pass smog...

Former User

At the junkyard, you needed to look for a distributor from a 99-00 Civic.

alpinegroove

I thought I could use one from 96-00.

That car was 97. That explains it...

Have you heard anything about the Duralast?

Former User

Not great quality, but at least you have a lifetime warranty. You will likely need it.

alpinegroove

Aside from CEL, are there ever signs that a distributor is about to fail?

Former User

The Duralast is fine to pass smog. It's not a great distributor, but if it fails, go get another one free.