was driving home in my 91 civic dx auto and all of a sudden the check engine light popped on and lost power so i pulled to the side and it died on me. it was smoking and i let it sit. when i started it up probably 15 minutes later it ran fine no check engine lights or anything. i was driving for about another 10-15 minutes then it happened again. i let it sit for another 15 minutes then tried starting it again, but it would just turn over like it was out of gas. when i finally got it started it would start up it would just die again like it had a vacuum leak. the motor was pretty hot and it had coolant.

i was thinking it might be a head gasket issue. anyone have this happen to them? also i dont know if it would make a difference but it has an EG radiator in it. any ideas would help because its on the side of the freeway right now.

 

First of all you need to pull the code off of the ECU. If you don't know how to do this read below.

Pull up the pass side carpet under the glove box, you will see your ECU mounted there. Turn the key to start where you hear the fuel pump prime etc. Count the amount of times the little LED blinks in the middle of the ECU. This will give you what code your car is throwing.

From the sounds of it seems like a ignition/coil issue, but the code will tell you for sure.

This is where I would start before doing anything with a headgasket.

 

+1 check codes. then check your oil level! Keep us posted...good luck!

 

that's the problem though the check engine light is only pops on when im driving, then when i pull to the side it dies then its not on there anymore. and for the oil, the oil cap had loc tite on it or something it was on there real tight couldnt open it. im going to have my friend tow it to my house and take a look at it. ill keep it updated.

 

The codes is still stored, the MIL doesnt have to be on in order for the code to be present at the ecu.

 

alright ill get the code as soon as i get the car here

 

its probably distributer goin bad

 

check code, def. will still be there, still stored, just count the blinks. from my personal experience sounds like the igniter in the dizzy, or the coil. prob isn't making it run crappy till the dizzy is nice n hot, then when it cools off it works okay. if its a code 9 then def. replace the dizzy n you will be good