I just purchased a 91 Integra LS off some dude for $400 a few days ago. It's slammed on cheap coilovers and basically runs/handles like garbage. It has a cold air intake and has stuff unplugged everywhere. Has an oil leak as well. It's a definite project for sure. I've only driven it once so far, just to get it back to my house haha. I just had a quick question:

I noticed when im cruising (by cruising I mean not accelerating or decelerating), I constantly hear loud pops coming from under the car. Sounds like a backfire or something. Seems like it has something to do with the exhaust system. Any input on this?

 

Check Timing, mechanical and then using a timing gun time your car. If it all turns out good then I would do a tune up. cap rotor wires etc.
Many H-T'ers do a tune-up when they get a new ride as standard operating procedure.

 

thanks for the response. Are there any write ups on how to check the timing?

Also, my friend told me white smoke blows out of the exhaust during acceleration. Any idea's?

 

White Smoke is Coolant,

 

White Smoke is dealing with your Coolant,

 

it could be three things
you got bad rings
head gasket is blown(coolant going into cylinder)
or just bad fuel
correct me as im still a noob

 

Do a full tune over haul. I'm sure it will be running way better than the condition it's in already.

 

by tune up you guys mean new spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor, etc? What else should I do? I'll probably change the oil, filter, tranny fluid and coolant as well.

 

 

The very FIRST thing I do with any new to me car is check the brakes. Doesn't matter how fast it goes if it can't stop when you need it to.

So some more things to do is change the brake fluid and power steering fluid.

 

im replacing the front pads and rotors, they are absolutely shot to ****.

I tried driving the car to my dad's house today and it wouldn't drive. It drove down my street but then all of a sudden I couldn't get it to rev over 2k RPM's, and it was fluttering a bunch. I would press on the gas but it just wouldn't rev up. As soon as I let go of the gas it would die. What does this sound like?

 

White smoke you say hmmn, you might have a blown head gasket and might be losing compression and that might be why your car is running foul.
Do a compression test on your car. There are write ups on h-t/web on compression testing and also timing your car. Check out RonJ(moderator) signature for plenty links FAQ's etc he is usually in the 92-00 civic H-T model specific forums. A great help
Also it is worthwhile IMO to get a Helms manual (factory manual) for your car, check out egay or here on H-t. I would not pay more than 35-40 for one shipped you can get your money back if you sell your car, its a great investment covers everything.

 

thank you for the response^^

I will be doing a compression test as soon as I can as well ignition timing. I have a feeling it has a blown head gasket. I noticed the previous owner only replaced one of the spark plugs/wires recently (the one on the furthest right, closest to drivers side). If I have low compression in one cylinder, would a new head gasket restore the lost compression?

I also just ordered a Helms manual, I couldn't find a used one and figured $55 isn't too much and I can always resell it. Look forward to using that for sure

 

Yes a new head gasket could potentially fix the compression issue if all else is fine (no bent valves,rings check out ok, nor warped head if engine was overheated by previous owner) depending on what you find with the compression test-
A leak down test would be ideal which would tell you where the compression leak is at but at a minimum:
I would send the head to a machine shop (shop around cause some are more expensive than others) to get it checked out and resurfaced--valves checked etc should run you no more than 160-170 including if one or two valves need replacing
Yeah good move on the Helms.

 

I've been researching it a bit and learned that my throttle position sensor could be faulty. That, and it's possible that I have a bad ECU. Are there any good ways to check if I have a faulty TPS or should I just replace it? How could I tell my ECU is bad?

 

bump

 

ecu you would have to just try someone elses ecu(normally dont fail), Tps you going to need a wire diagram. You should have a 5v referance, a signal wire and another wire I forget what its for. disconnect the wire harness and test resistance of the from the signal wire to a ground. White smoke wouldnt be coolent unless it smelled sweet and you can smell it at idol. More the anything its your valve seals its a commin problem on DOHC motors for them to leak specially after 20years. could be possible fuel pump, I would do a compression test, fuel pressure test and coolant pressure test. Also tune up would help and possible timming belt im sure it needs it.