Spiffious

Hey folks. My old '93 DX hatch was killed when hit by a drunk driver . Anyways, I have replaced that with a '98 S-10... but thoughts of another civic have been in my head. Though I would not replace the truck, the civic would be my DD.

Anyways, lady at work has a 1994 EX coupe 5spd she would sell me for $1200. The car is pretty clean, no fender rust. 172k miles. Was hit by a deer, so front fender and hood are slightly dented... but has a car bra to cover. Engine runs smooth. I checked compression: from right to left (facing the car from the front) it read 150, 135, 120, 145 PSI. Hmm...

Anyways, two other issues stand out:
1) The car runs perfectly, but randomly stalls / dies on the highway. Dealer said it was an igniter gone bad. Hmmm. Once the car sits for a minute, it restarts just fine.

2) There is a constant, buzzing noise coming from under the dash it seems when the car is running only. Speed, RPM, or heater fan does not affect the noise. It can't be heard from under the hood. Any ideas on that?

I am trying to decide whether to buy this car or not. I don't need a 2nd car, but I miss my old civic. These problems make me feel uneasy about the purchase.

What is the likely fix to these problems, and is the hassle/money worth it?

Boost_V

Sounds pretty decent if you can figure out that the problems are a huge deal. I'm not sure about the interior buzzing. Bump this for this guy to get some help.

95dxsir2

the engine is going to need a rebuild in the future, plans for this? stock? buzzing noise a possible vibration in the dash or behind.

lol, thats funny, it's a num nums

Spiffious

thanks for the replies. Plans would include: keeping it reliable.. engine stock. I want good gas mileage. Mods would be for better suspension/handling/braking.

95dxsir2

it might just be a head gasket, i would do a leak down. dying on the highway intermittently might be hard to find, if they said it was an igniter, those are cheap.

Spiffious

anyone have any ideas on the buzzing noise from under the dash?

Spiffious

Well, I bought the car today. The thing does really drive nice. I really enjoy it so far. On the drive home, it ran like a champ... then I took another short spin, and it stalled a few times. (Engine randomly cut out while driving.) I believe this to be the fuel pump or igniter.

The buzzing noise, I believe, is caused by a bad fuel pump. Outside the car, the noise can be heard from the rear area by the gas tank... Barely audible in the engine bay. The noise also happens to a slightly lesser degree when the fuel pump primes prior to starting the car. I also felt a fair bit of vibration on the metal fuel lines, which I think are from a fuel pump going nutty.

Any thoughts? Am I on to something here or just crazy?

Historyg

you sound right, I think it was a good buy, it will take a little bit of work to get running good, but overall you probably wont regret the buy, that noise does sound like the oil pump, but i am not sure, just wanted to say, that you got a good buy

Spiffious

thanks for the feedback.

instructor74

Man with that low of numbers on the compression test I would be ready to replace the head gasket and have the head checked. Keep an eye on the coolant level in the radiator and watch for signs on coolant being pushed into the overflow res. With a 176,000 on it you also will need to do the timing belt and possibly a water pump might as well do them when you do the head gasket. If you have the time, tools and ability you can do it yourself and save a lot cash. If you have to pay someone to do it you might as well run it until it dies. Its going to cost you as much as you payed for the car

Spiffious

Well, I figured that was a possibility. I am going to run compression again with a squirt of oil in each cylinder. This will tell me whether it is rings, or something else. The engine runs like a champ, with no signs of leaking, etc. I was planning to do the waterpump/timing belt and clutch this fall/winter.

kuja396

ANother way you can tell its rings is just to unscrew the oil cap on the valve cover and put your ear up to that, if it makes noise, its getting by the rings.

slo_hatch

swap the motor and maybe the cat is loose or something? that rattling/buzzing noise could be hard to find...just take it to a muffler shop and have them look under it so see if it has a problem. but you could have it all running perfectly for around $2200. just swap the motor for something kinda stout but not 500hp. then have the fender and hood fixed. then all you have to worry about is the buzzing noise under the car. put some speakers in it and ignore it. lol

Spiffious

Nice sound system came with the car

I am not looking for more power... I have a motorcycle for that, lol.

But, I am looking for economy. Anyone ever swap in a Vtec-E motor from a VX? would that work?

Relic1

random stalling - ignitor or main relay

D15Z1(VX) swap, been done. But it's not as easy as other swaps. (5-wire O2, EGR)
and since the EX weighs more than the VX chassis it will be as slow as a CX if not slower.

Spiffious

Meh... I'd probably just rebuild my own motor, or swap in another EX D16 then.

Though, how are folks doing MPG wise with a bone stock B18, etc in their cars?

spuddo01

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Spiffious &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Meh... I'd probably just rebuild my own motor, or swap in another EX D16 then.

Though, how are folks doing MPG wise with a bone stock B18, etc in their cars?</TD></TR></TABLE>

i cant even tell if their was a diff when i put my b16 in unless if u would beat on it allday. i would just swap it.

stiruptrouble

Could the car dieing on the highway be fuel starvation. Could be dirty/clogged fuel filter.

Spiffious

Woot! I fixed the buzzing noise problem. It WAS the fuel pump! I replaced both the fuel pump and filter, and the engine runs quiet and smooth! This may have fixed the random stall problem too, but I won't know untill I drive the car more.

MoreBoost!

you're right about the fuel pump i had the same problem, its usually cause by letting your car run close to empty too often that causes stress on the pump

Spiffious

Well, the Car is still randomly cutting out. This afternoon I will be replacing the Igniter.