Hey everyone! Not new to the site but I just made an account because I finally need some serious help.

I was driving today, 2500 RPM or so in 5th, and then my car starts revving as though it’s fallen out of gear. I downshift to 4th and tap the gas, and it dry revs again, will not accelerate. By now there’s a strong smell of grinding metal and burning. I pull over and kill the car. The engine did have oil, however it was a little under the lower dot on the dipstick as of yesterday. Coolant was fine. NO fluid leaks on the road. I attempted to restart it and there was a nasty sound of metal on metal and it didn’t turn over. I added a quart of oil and tried again 30 minutes later, and it cranks but doesn’t catch. I pulled off the distributor cap and found the contact points scored and corroded.

This is where I’m at right now. No prior symptoms, 209,000KM on the engine and trans. If it means anything, it was very hot today, 32 degrees Celsius.

Thanks in advance everyone!

i will check the timing belt in the morning. I’ve seen that suggested a couple times now in my searches.

no. We’ve been playing with the distributor. We replaced the coil to no effect and purchased a new ignition module which didn’t fit. Finding correct parts for a JDM B18C isn’t easy in North America. A lot of parts don’t match up.

Timing is fine. Cams move. Engine won’t turn over.

How long has it been since you replaced your clutch? Mayb having your transmission check would be good idea since it’s Reving up in gear

** FINAL UPDATE **

We finally fixed it. After replacing the distributor cap and rotor, then the coil, it seems the issue was the ignition module all along, and after installing a new one the car runs. It seems blowing an ignition module is also a good way to cook the plates in the battery, so keep that in mind.

Also funny enough, the ignition module for a JDM Type R is the same as the one from a CRV which makes it a fairly cheap fix.

The car was driven through all 5 gears without issue. Thanks everyone for your help and concern. Have a great summer and hopefully I’m not back for a little while.