lexluther

Hey, i recently replace my HG and now my car is pinging, and doesnt have the power it had, the had wasnt warped i had it slightly milled and replaced, the timing belt is dead on, and the dizzy is back in the original spot, i cannot figure it out, number 2 cylinder is low but it was low before with more power and no pinging, my compression 210,180, 210, 210.. i am attempting to use a timing light, is there anything i have to unplug? and do i check at idle or at 2000 rpm as with some cars? My civic is a 98, d16y7, Thanks!

Former User

1) Check the ignition timing with a timing gun, as you already mentioned.

2) Check the valve clearance.

3) Try buying gas from a different gas station.

lexluther

Where is this service connector they are refering to? Thanks

Former User

Click here. It's the same connector that you jump to retrieve CEL codes.

lexluther

So basically i jump this connector and start them engine warm, and follow the directions to time with light?.. i have checked the belt several times it seems dead on it, I timed it a little while ago, without that jumper, "jumped" and the marks were wayyyy out of range..

lexluther

It says so many degrees before TDC, but my pulley just has the top dead mark, and to the right it has a single mark, i assume i time to it... it says i am suppposed to hook a SCS service connector to the blue plug, what is this? am i suppose to jmper the plug or plug something into it?.. i am confused.

Former User

Sounds like your ignition timing is off. Warm the engine up. Insert a paper clip or jumper wire into the 2P service connector (see CEL link). On the crank pulley, you should see a single white TDC1 mark and a separate group of three marks. With the timing gun pointed at the crank pulley, turn the distributor until the middle (red) mark in the group of three marks aligns with the pointer. If you are unable to align the red mark with the pointer, then your mechanical timing may be off.

lexluther

I did, and the belt it dead on!! I checked this half a dozen times, and the timing morks do not line up, its weird

lexluther

Wait which mark do i time the crank pulley to, for the mechanical timing?... the "3".. or the one to itself?

lexluther

Ahhhhh... I think i have the belt timed wrong, please confirm i time the crank pulley mark to this mark..

Former User

The middle red mark in the group of three on the crank pulley is used for setting the ignition timing with a timing gun.

The lone white mark is the correct one for setting the mechanical timing of the crank pulley to TDC1. Was the cam pulley simultaneously positioned at TDC1?

lexluther

OK retimed it now warming it up to do ignition timing, i had it timed to the '3' marks, its been that way for 5 months...

Former User

There's the problem. You'll be happy with how it runs now.

lexluther

It does run better, noticeable high RPM power, and it times with the light now also, but for ssome reason it wont idle and kinda surges some while driving, hummm

Former User

Start by resetting the ECU and driving the car for 30-40 minutes. During the drive, check whether the idle smooths out or the CEL comes on.

lexluther

I did right after i got it timed, i put about 20 miles on it, and the light came on, but it always does, cause the cat was removed bcause of a cracked manifold.. i rechecked the belt marks they look good.. i may have to set up the idle

Former User

Jump the service connector to see if any new codes pop up.

lexluther

I am pretty sure its the "catalyst efficiency low" .. i think im gonna go put some more miles on it and see if it starts idling, i will update in a while, i appreciate all the help, i prolly never would have considered i timed that belt wrong.....

Former User

This may be causing the engine to idle poorly, and is definitely making the engine run rich (=low gas mileage). Therefore, you should replace the the cracked manifold. Check the junk yards.

*Still, jump the service connector and read the codes as a new additional code may have popped up.

SquirtleSquadEf9

maybe ur piston is bent because of ur head gasket

lexluther

I have looked for a 'manifold/cat' the ones i do find are cracked(its a stupid design anyway), if its running rich i still get 38-40 mpg, so i dont really care, and it idled fine til i retimed it, so i doubt thats the prob... and how can a piston be bent?

Former User

Okay, with that good gas mileage, the crack in the manifold must not go all the way through to the inside. In this case, I agree there's not much to worry about there.

Did you jump the service connector? Any new codes besides the cat code?

It's a surging idle, right? If so, you might try cleaning the IACV and bleeding the cooling system. Any vacuum hoses disconnected? Is the PCV hose connected?

lexluther

No i removed the cat/mainfold, and replaced it with a regular manifold from an older civic.. its now just a regular manifold and downpipe(no more cat).. i dont have emissions here.. and i check my mileage every time i fill up, the lowest i get is 37-38.. the highest i ever get is about 41... the cat doesnt effect much.. anyway, the surging is while driving, but the low idle and surging started when i re-timed the engine to its correct marks..

SquirtleSquadEf9

i learned this in engine rebuild class. if ur head gasket is gone and water gets in to the top of the piston where combustion takes place, water in not combustable so the rod will bend cause the water is there. i saw this first hand after this lady had a head job and the guy didnt measure everything to see if everything was still ok. the van ran for 2 weeks and than ended up at our school for repair wit the rod bent and out the block.

http://www.oncellauto.info/blog/_arc...9/3649222.html

MonkeyMagic

sounds like the cam is a tooth out of timing.

check mechanical timing