EJ2-Fluffy

iTrader: (1)

Basically heres a list down of what's been done to the car:

<u>Everything is pretty stock on the motor w/ exception to the exhaust system</u>

Distributor
- Ignition Coil replaced (2 1/2 months ago - Autozone Part)
- Rotor / Cap (OEM Brand new)
- Spark plugs (Brand new Bosch)
- However, the 4th plug was seized in the head - Took a bit of heating it up to prevent the spark plug from breaking into the head. It was hard to screw out basically.
- Spark Plug wires (havent been replaced, but doesnt seem to be the culprit yet)

When the ignition is turned over, the car starts. The car warms up for a few minutes to reach optimum temperature levels (below the halfway mark on the water temp guage in dash). However, if I am staying at idle, the RPM's fluctuate about 300 rpm down then go back up. On top of that, when it fluctuates going down in RPM, you can hear some kind of ignition prefire inside the engine (or at least you can hear it coming from the muffler)

I can't figure out this problem, if anyone can help please post here or feel free to pm me! Thanks in advance!

KLiK

who told you to buy Bosch plugs?!

the OEM parts for Honda engines are NGK or Denso spark plugs...check your Honda book or under the hood on a sticker or on your timing belt cover...buy those (NGK or Denso) and see if it has stoped!
btw, you can go 1 or 2 grades up (colder) sparks for NGK...that means 2 or 4 grades up (colder) sparks for Denso!

and don't buy some platinum or iridium ****, 'cause they don't work on old Hondas...just buy the ones that are writen on your car!!

EJ2-Fluffy

iTrader: (1)

Hmm, ive used countless bosch plugs and havent ran into this problem. If i want to go oem ill go oem and get ngk. Thanks for the input

Also, I was under the assumption that platinum or any other precious metal is oem?

KLiK

i don't know anyone here in europe that runs Honda on Bosch?! so it would be nice to change it...those plugs are cheap in US...
mine ZFR6J-11 costed about 30$ in EU...

also check the CEL errors, for some senzor malfunction...test the senzor (with voltmeter or ohmmeter, depends on the senzor)...if it's broken, replace it with OEM or better with Honda original...

if you suspect the wires, the best one are the Honda spark plug wires...2nd place are much more cheaper NGK racing (blue) wires...

if it's not all that, go to electritian to check the car...

EJ2-Fluffy

iTrader: (1)

You got to be joking with me? Can anyone give me a real answer?

This guy thinks that Accel plugs and wires aren't as good as OEM honda. =\

Syndacate

With your stock setup NGK or denso plugs with bosch wires is fine.

I don't think either is our problem though.

The pop sounds like it's just running a rich cycle or two from the fluctuating idle.

I'd say the fluctuating idle is the main problem and that the popping is just a side effect of it. Do a vacuum pressure check on your system, see if you have any vacuum leaks. Also might wanna try a different IACV and look up the "how-to" on cleaning your FITV.

EJ2-Fluffy

iTrader: (1)

Yeah thats what I thought - I just noticd it when i was checking my idle this morning. Will check the IACV and it may seem there is a vacuum leak in the lines

EJ2-Fluffy

iTrader: (1)

Also I noticed something. While checking the timing of the car. I looked at the timing light when I had the button engaged.

While I connected the timing light arm, to the first spark plug wire. The light does not flash steadily rather it is intermittent. I checked the connection and it seems to be doing it on the first and fourth spark plug wires when it is checked.

EJ2-Fluffy

iTrader: (1)

<FONT COLOR="red"><FONT SIZE="5">Update 2/28/07</FONT></FONT>

I think the problem with the distributor may be the ignition coil itself that was purchased from Autozone.

Also, there has been another problem. I think the idle problem has to do something with the cooling system.

I have overheated twice in the past 3 months (went into the 3/4 mark on my guage) and have not driven it too hard. When it overheats, the radiator itself is cold but the hoses are smoking hot.

I just replaced the thermostat correctly and used all the necessary gaskets to keep it sealed and have drained the radiator fluid and filled it back up as necessary.

I am beginning to think it might be the headgasket that is wearing out but I can check doing a leakdown test or a compression test.

I think the radiator fluid is being sucked into the engine either through the engine or through the intake manifold, causing my rpm's to jump down 400-500 rpm during load.

Any advice is greatly needed

fasthatchb18c1

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CRX-Fluffy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I have overheated twice in the past 3 months (went into the 3/4 mark on my guage) and have not driven it too hard. When it overheats, the radiator itself is cold but the hoses are smoking hot.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

It sounds like something is clogged in your cooling system whether it be your radiator or in your block.

Im confused at how your idle is at 400-500 rpm and running let alone accelerating. Basically your car stumbles right off the line?

If you were burning radiator fluid you would see white smoke

EJ2-Fluffy

iTrader: (1)

no its idled correctly at 700-800 rpm. But it drops 400-500 rpm if im accelerating. I wondering what could be clogged? How can i find out what is clogged?

fasthatchb18c1

You would need to have the system flushed to see if you have one.


Pull the spark plugs and see what they look like. It will tell you a lot about your a/f mixture.

EJ2-Fluffy

iTrader: (1)

I just replaced the spark plugs and they are in great condition. Hmm ill flush the system out.

I hope its not anything serious w/ the block

fasthatchb18c1

So your plugs look exactly the same like the day you put them in.

No discoloring like slightly brown, black, white spots. Do you remember what your old ones looked like.

EJ2-Fluffy

iTrader: (1)

The ones i took out were just normal wear and tear - but they looked like they were there for ages.