freydaddy

im having a hard time solving this problem with loss of power.
wont even climb a hill.
things i have done are as follows:
timing belt set with crank pulley and cam
new dizzy cap and rotor
new plugs
compression test
timing dead on
new fuel filter
disconnected the downpipe from the cat
vaccuum leak check
ground wires check

Ive narrowed it down to either a weak fuel pump (i dont have a fuel pressure tester) or
EGR (if it has one)
spark plugs are black on 1 side
any suggestions?

freydaddy

just found out that only the VX has EGR

jayWknight

iTrader: (3)

It would be nice if the rest of us knew which civic you are referring to. It is a 1995 Honda Civic....Dx, Lx, Vx, Ex? What is the mileage? Extra information would help and if the car has a 180k+. I would perform a compression test and a leak down test.

Former User

Any CEL codes?

Measure the fuel pressure and check whether the catalytic converter is clogged.

freydaddy

obviously neither of you really read my post.
as stated i do not have a fuel prssure tester;
disconnected the cat;
cel code is 43...fuel supply system

Former User

Post pictures of all 4 spark plugs.

Might be a bad fuel pump or clogged strainer. Some auto parts store may offer a free rental for a fuel gauge. Call around to stores in your area.

dale m.

Ok this might be off the wall but you should try it.
my buddy had the same problem unbolt your exhaust from the down pipe and drive it
if it runs better then your cat is stopped up or muffler.
we replaced his cat and its ran fine ever since.

DualCamEK

The first time i ever did a swap, my b16 through cel43...i ended up changing the o2 sensor and it never came back and the car drove perfect from there on. i know an o2 isnt the cheapest but maybe try it out since youve exhausted everything else....i also had sluggish power.

BigBlock22

if you have more than 150k miles on that pump, chances are its on its way out. The lack of fuel pressure would explain the loss of power. a fuel pressure gauge is relatively inexpensive but not worth the wasted money if you know for sure that pump is old. how many miles are on that car/engine? also, do you often drive with the gas light on (almost empty)?

BigBlock22

......and you know for sure the clutch is not slipping? i know its a stupid question but i had to ask. not sure how knowledgeable you are

freydaddy

its auto.
i appreciate all the advice, im pretty sure its the pump.
cant figure out how to release the plastic box around the + terminal so i can disconnect the wire from the housing.
when i took the fuel pump out, i noticed it wasnt lyig in the "cradle" just right.
it might have been sitting so high that it wasnt picking up any fuel in the baffle.
as soon as figure out this wire exchange, i will install the new one, crank it up and see what happens.

FYI its not my car its my cousins.

freydaddy

got it all back together...
no difference, runs the same.
I had to use the old filter bag because the new one was 180 degrees out.
I cleaned it out with carb cleaner.

Tomorrow I will check the injectors filters.it might be clogged since the filter was nasty.
If that doesnt fix it, I will take off the cat.

freydaddy

update...
car is running smooth as a sewing machine.
I took out the injectors and gave them a good cleaning.
I also sprayed carb cleaner in the intake ports in the head and cleaned the pcv along with the fuel rail.
that car must have sat for almost a year