So just this weekend I replaced the head gasket because of excessive white smoke. b18b

So now I have the problem of excessive valve ticking and loss of power on the low end and rough idle which is at 600rpm. (used to be very smooth) Checked the distributor timing and it does not fix the problem.

Some more info...When cold, driving down the road at lets say, 40mph, the car is practically jumping/stuttering as drives. This goes away after it warms up.

 

if anybody has any idea, please post. I was planning on selling the car until this ordeal happened.

 

I could be wrong but I had the same problem, and after warming up it went away too. Just a guess but clean your FITV (fast idle thermo valve) and your (IACV) idle air control valve...

Check on those. Just a guess..

 

did you adjust the valves?????

 

That was my first thought as well.

 

I didn't touch the valves. Just swapped the head gasket and put everything back together. No modifications or anything, just swapped the gasket.

So something involving taking the head apart and putting it back together went wrong because it ran perfectly before this.

 

adjust valves and make sure the timing is correctly set

 

now when you say this, (adjust valves) what exactly do you mean? and how might I do this?

 

i'm not being a douche when i say this, and i'm not being sarcastic at all. you need to buy a haynes manual or download the service manual. they both have all the info you need about adjusting the valves and setting the timing correctly. hondahookup.com has them and so does spoonhonda.com. good luck

 

That's like saying, "All i did was swap my distributor, I don't have to check the timing"

 

ok, so you took the head off, and never thought about checking timing/valve adjustment?
i think you got a little ahead of yourself man. if you plan on wrenching on this car extensively, buy a HELMS manual. i wouldn't recommend you continue driving it till it's checked. timing sounds way off. did you set everything to TDC before taking it apart?

 

Cut the guy a break. True, he should invest in a Helm's anyway, but c'mon, he only took the valve cover off and then put it back on, which we know should not effect timing, if in fact that that's the problem. Worst scenario is a leaky valve cover if he didn't seal it right.

OP: Now let's see, since taking off the valve cover involves you taking off the plug wires first, so my guess is that your wires aren't reconnected in the right firing order, or simply not secure. Did you completely remove both ends of the wires, or did you just remove the sockets over the spark plugs? If this is the case, your engine will run like crap.

That's the only thing that I could think of...but if you don't remember which wire goes to which cylinder (they're not in consecutive order); and if you did take the wires off on both ends, you'll also need to know the firing order at the distributor. So ultimately, you'll need a get your hands on a Helm's manual. But no worries, it's really easy! Good luck.

A-dub

 

sounds like you have a timing issue. a very bad one. if you dont know how to check the timing take it to a shop and have them check the timing. shouldnt be too expensive.

 

none the less everytime you take the head off you must adjust the valves..... It will lead to a bad idle for sure also power loss but if that still doesn't fix your problem go back and check your timing on the belt and distributor to cylinder

 

that's why i included my prologue.... i wasn't trying to be facetious, he took the head off not the valve cover.

 

what????? did you even read his post? i was being truthful. if you aren't sure of what you are doing 100% i wouldn't be pulling the head off.
OP, have your car checked...

 

I'm a douche. Sorry, I completely misread. Apologies all around.