hoya_10fintec

help me out guys.... anyone with similar experience/incident/problem??

My B16 doesn't rev as fast as it used(can't feel it pull like it used to...) to and I could BARELY hear when VTEC kicks in... but ONCE IN A WHILE my engine runs FINE/STRONG like it's supposed to(WTF ) UNTIL it warms up... and THAT is what drives me nuts!!! It's like turning a light switch ON and OFF every other day(revs upto 8200rpm fine tho)... I'm GUESSIN my compression is OK....
maybe it's my wiring? I doubt it(checked).. 'cause I don't get no engine codes...

Things I've replaced since that happened(for almost a 4 months now.. )...:
-spark plugs/wires
-FPR
-cap/rotor
-air filter
-upgraded my Civic rad. with an Integra rad.(I thought my B16 was hottER than it should be when running... which I don't think it was NOW )
-.....and I think that's it...(obviously I'm gonna go for compression/leakdown test)

It still didn't solve the problem... What I'm thinking about replacing next is my CAT.(straight pipe)

What else should I try? What do you guys think/recommend other than compression/leakdown test(kinda scares me... )?

Thanks

Hoya

PS. my engine DOES NOT burn oil...

EDIT** I did the valve adjustment too




[Modified by hoya_10fintec, 5:33 AM 3/23/2003]

ciRcuitJerk

sometimes little things acn throw your car off...check your oil level...valve adjustment

SymphonyX

I kinda had a simaler problem like yours, Check your timing belt tensener. someone told me that it can do that. but what solve my problem was that i put in a ITR fuel pump, the whole AEM fuel products and MSD igintion with blaster coil. that **** solve my problem

hoya_10fintec

the timing belt's fine... but don't know about ignition timing tho...

no one has the timing guns with the number-indicator to show you where your at... not even a Honda dealership... oh, where I live has the population of 2500... What do I expect?

SymphonyX

your belt might be fine, but what about the tensenier??? if its going bad, it can **** up the drivablity. is it a stock B16?? why don't you advance the timing on it to see what happens, you just may have to use 91 octane. that should help

hoya_10fintec

If it goes bad, shouldn't it make some kinda noise? and I use 91,92 octane gas all the time.. i've tried all the basics and yes, it's stock... thanks for your inputs tho..





[Modified by hoya_10fintec, 6:25 AM 3/23/2003]

boostedcivicsir

oil level was my guess

BigZ88

I'd check your oil level, and if ur running a Fram filter or any really "good" filter just go ahead and replace it with an OEM one from honda. those are my thoughts.

hoya_10fintec

the oil level's fine.... but oil filter? it shouldn't make THAT much difference tho, should it?

I mean, the engine runs fine ONCE IN A WHILE... and it seems running better at night...

I'll give it a try tho...

Thanks


[Modified by hoya_10fintec, 3:46 PM 3/23/2003]

Nameless RB26

Shouldn't make a difference one bit unless you haven't changed it in a looooong time. Have you ever seen what old oil filters look like on the inside? They can get bad. But I doubt it's what your problem is.

I'd start by replacing the fuel filter. Those can cause problems and you'd never even know it. And your FPR.. it has to be set right, hopefully it already is. And I'd personally look for a B series fuel pump. I've heard you can definetely notice a difference in upper RPM power with a more efficient fuel pump (which I need to get myself).

Start eliminating more of the small things. But yah, get that compression check too.

blazinb16

is the car gettin up to temp?..maybe it's your thermistat, i know when mine when bad the car felt really sluggish, especialy scince vtec wasent engaging.

stevel

check your O2 sensor. Does it buck sometimes or seem like it lags? It might be the O2 sensor or the wires that go into the plug.

s

hoya_10fintec

yeah, I was thinking maybe it's fuel system too...but also, I'm more convinced that the cat. has gone bad.... gas pedal feels slugish/slow thottle response after warmed up... and engine TRIES to rev up like it used to but it feels like somewhere in my exhaust system is clogged....

I'll keep tryin... and yeah, I'll check my O2 sensor...

Thanks a lot guys!!

scdarksol

does it seem like your car don't want to go sometimes? My bro's hatch had a clogged cat, and I couldn't figure it out. So I went with all the tune-up stuff and then finally found out that the cat was bad. Order one from summit, it's only $100

SOHC_MShue

my car seems to randomly lag sometimes too. It does seem to run a lot better at night though.

jumpmann23

maybe your just used to the power and its not enough for you anymore..

Lysawy

true that

BigZ88

actually the oil filter can make a difference. A very restrictive oil filter on a vtec engine can cause the same problems as a low oil level. It doesnt always happen, and symptoms are similar to his description with it working sometimes and not others. I had a similar feeling about my engine till i went to a honda filter. I got the advice from the guys up at IAS but had heard it from a few other people on the boards here as well.

hoya_10fintec

Thanks so much guys!! I'll keep this updated...

976

VTEC doesn't kick in until engine is warm, usally up to 10 minutes. FYI

Anyway,

Clean intake manifold for carbon build-up.
Replace fuel filter, no cheap crap.
What plugs did you install? Did you TQ them?
Have you tried fuel system cleaner/treatment, Chevron stuff w/ techron fuel treatment suff is awesome!

Replace PCV valve if you havent in the last 9 months. Better yet, make an oil catch can, nerdsports style!!!

Spark plug wires changed?

hoya_10fintec

VTEC DOES kick in(after warmed up obviously..) but I could barely hear it...
Sounds more like my exhaust(cat.) is clogged or something... I'm about to replace my cat. with a straight pipe now at a shop... I'm gonna go from there... if that doesn't work,

then fuel filter --> fuel pump --> O2 sensor --> blah --> blah...

PS.sorry if this is a noob Q but what does PCV valve do?

Thanks!

boostedcivicsir

POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION
it is a one way valve that allows crankcase gasses to be removed via intake manifold vacuum.

hoya_10fintec

my bad.... it's not the CAT....

I'm gonna try fuell filter tomorrow... wish me luck...

hoya_10fintec

YES!! I finally fixed my problem!!!

I finally got around to replace my fuel pump with GSR one... WOW! what a difference!! engine's running perfect now except for the speeding ticket I got on the same day for testing...

I just thought I'd let you guys know..

00MRSi

Good to hear!! I was actually gonna ask you if you upgraded your fuel pump.. Drive safely!!