tigerz808

Just bought a 1990 Civic today and it started to give me problems as I was driving home. Prior to buying it I test drove it for about 30 minutes on the highway and city streets, with no problems at all. But as I was going home my engine died out as I was going around 30 mph. I came to a complete stop at the traffic light then started I it up again, after a about a few seconds the idle dropped and the car died so I started it up and gave it some gas and proceeded to the next traffic light which was about 100 yards down and then it did the same thing as I was slowing down. This kept happening at almost every stop light until I got home. I would end up keeping my foot on the gas pedal to keep it at about 1000 rpm so it wouldn't die.

As soon as I got home I called up my mechanic friend and described to him about what was happening. He said he was pretty sure that it was the igniter. So I went and picked up the part from Checkers and had him install it. After he installed the part we tried starting it again but it seemed to be worse. We had to start it a few times till it was able to idle but when it did the rpm would start to go up and down and then eventually die. So he tried to adjust the timing but it still didn't help. He checked the hoses and manifold area and believes that it's probably a vaccum leak of some sort. We tried to drive it but as soon as I throw it in drive it starts to bogg...to the point where I press the pedal to the floor and it hardly goes anywhere and dies out again.

I figured I post this up to see if anyone would have an idea as to whats causing these problems and what solutions are there? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Some quick stats on it...
1.6 engine
125,000 miles
Intake
Removed thermostat, toggle switch for fan
Previous owner changed head gasket, lapped valves, spark plugs
straight pipe Borla exhaust
everything else is stock

crvtectim

Start here: https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-crx-ef-civic-1988-1991-3/how-fix-fitv-its-easy-1-2-3-a-699787/

Also, do you have a CEL?

tigerz808

Yes I did, infact it came on about 30 miles prior to it dieing. Then it turned off after I got home and it didn't come on ever since.

tigerz808

So I woke up this morning and started it up again...it seemed ok staying steady at just above 1000 rpm then after a few minutes of warming up the idle started to go up and down between 1500-300 rpm, just barely cutting off the engine. tried pushing on the gas pedal to give it some gas then it started to bog and back fire coming from intake.

crvtectim

Check the codes first and that will help us help you diagnose your problem. Here's a little how-to on retrieving codes: http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=110204