Hardedge

I just put my sister's '92 Civic LX (stock) back together after a head gasket failure due to overheating. The engine seems to run well, exhaust is clean, and the cooling system operates properly. However, it's having slight idle issues, and big throttle issues in terms of drivability.

My main concern is the throttle issue. The cable has been adjusted properly, and when I open the throttle you can hear air get sucked in, but the engine either doesn't respond with fuel and spark (and thus no power or gain in RPM), or it's delayed. If I open the throttle very gradually in neutral the engine will make power and rev (that's how I know the engine runs well) but is less responsive or unresponsive with sudden throttle changes or while driving the car (the car is barely drivable). Also, there is no CEL, but I don't know if there would be on an OBDI car. Does this sound like a bad TPS or something else? Any help is appreciated as my sister needs her car back ASAP.

Former User

Carefully double check the mechanical timing.

Hardedge

I will, but I'm curious how that would cause this issue. Could you elaborate a little, please?

Former User

An engine in which the mechanical timing is off by one tooth on the timing belt may behave as yours currently does.

Hardedge

Should I maybe use a TDC indicator when timing it?

Former User

Pop off the valve cover and then the upper timing belt cover. Turn the crank pulley only counterclockwise until the cam pulley is exactly positioned at TDC1 (see diagram). At this instance, the crank pulley should also be exactly positioned at TDC1 (see diagram). If not, the mechanical timing is off.

Hardedge

I couldn't recheck the timing after I put it back together because my pulley doesn't have the TDC mark on it, so if I re-time it I'll have to take the pulley off and get the timing perfect before putting the pulley back on, but it's so hard to tell if the notch on the crank sprocket is lining up with the arrow cast on the block. I never had any problem timing my B16A2, but I guess I'll have to be really careful with this engine.