'88 LX, 1.5L, 5-speed...very new, first head gasket on a Honda...

Today I finished putting everything back together after doing my head gasket.... First she didn't want to start, now she starts, idles OK (not great), but if you give her gas the engine surges for a lack of better terms and sometimes stalls...

I am getting a code 10 and code 14....I have not troubleshoot this yet, but was wondering if these could make the engine surge like it is..I know the code 10 is intake air temp and 14 is the idle control valve. Besides doing the voltage checks my book calls for any other ideas on what to check?? Once she started, I pulled the battery again and the code cleared but came back.

Also, what symptoms would I have if I was off one tooth on the timing belt? I don't have a timing gun tonight (going to see if I can barrow one tomorrow) but if I put the dizzy all the way clockwise, she idles much better but still surges if you give it gas although it seems a little better.....

Like I said, this is my first head gasket so please bear with me if some things seem common sense that should have been checked already.

Thx for the help

 

Could you have the plugs for the IAT (code 10) and the IACV (code 14) mixed up? They are both 2 pin plugs and they are not specially keyed. It's possible that if you did mix up the plugs, that the IAT sensor is fried. It's not made to take a lot of voltage, and the IACV is.

Timing off 1 tooth would make it hard to set the ignition timing (timing light) within the normal range of the distributor adjustment slot. If you set your timing with the light, tand the distributor is close to it's old setting, the timing belt (cam timing) is OK.

 

sounds like timing is off. those 2 codes wont cause the car to run like that. id say double check to see if everything is at TDC.

 

Timing belt is off a tooth or two or...
Exact symptoms my 90 Wagon had when I bought it. It had new timing bet and water pump but ran like crap...took me w ile to sort because I assumed it was done right.

 

10
Accord Civic CRV CRX Del Sol Odyssey Prelude
85-98 86-98 97-98 85-91 93-97 95-98 85-98 IAT Sensor (Intake Air Temperature)
defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor


14
Accord Civic CRV CRX Del Sol Odyssey Prelude
88-98 88-98 97-98 88-91 93-97 95-98 88-98 IAC Valve (Idle Air Control)
defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor

 

what he said is most likely your problem, good luck

 

Thanks guys...plugs were swapped...luckly didn't take out my IAT sensor...

My timing belt was off 1 or 2 teeth on the cam..after fixing that she fired right up with no problems....

Thx again for the help....

 

cool these guys know there stuff

 

i have that same problem and my car is timed and all the plugs are correct. i honestly think its a problem with my ecu? does your wagon run fine now??