about 6 months ago i started having problems with my good ol trusty civic. the car is all stock by the way. car wouldnt start so i replaced the distributor and fixed the problem but i started noticing a lack of power and acceleration in the car .. i also noticed the overflow tank had oil in it and the top of the raditor cap had some as well but couldnt see any in the actual radiator and no antifreeze in the oil so i figured it wasnt a head gasket? just wondering what this could be .. or if i have multiple problems? is there a water or oil jacket maybe bad? any help would be appreciated?

 

Compression check.

Oil in the coolant, or vice versa points to head gasket.

 

thats what i thought but i thought it had to be in the radiator too? or oil?

 

can be trans oils in there too, if it is automatic.

 

yes its a automatic.. who knows what it is , ive read that the coolant system could need flushed but still runs with a lack of power and im lost as to why

 

The reason it might be trans fluid is because the automatic trans fluid cooler is built into the bottom of the radiator. If that leaks...then you may have trans fluid in your coolant and coolant in your trans-a nasty combination.

But more than likely, you're seeing exhaust soot in your coolant because you've got a leak in your headgasket around the water-jacket.
Is the car overheating or are you seeing bubbles in your coolant?

The reason why it would run with a lack of power is because you're likely bleeding compression into your cooling system, which would be proven by exhaust bubbles in your cooling system. (either that or you're burning coolant in your combustion chamber which leans out you air/fuel mixture, causing a lack of power...or there really IS coolant leaking into your trans or you're losing trans fluid into your coolant system, resulting in shitty (lack of) torque in the trans)
OO

Check for bubbles and check your trans fluid ASAP!
Also check for white smoke from your exhaust (burning coolant)
Hell, do a compression test while you're at it

 

Do a block test.

 

Yep, run to Autozone and get the loaner block tester, ask the sales guy how it works. Go home and use it, then bring it back and get your money. That simple.

 

ok guys tommorow im going to test the compression on her, that will tell me about a head gasket? and block tester tells me if i have a cracked block right?

 

A block tester will tell you if you're bleeding compression
(I think)

 

This will tell you if you have a leak in or around the head gasket or similar combustion areas. If you had a cracked block it would drive very very bad and overheat like crazy. The block tester tests the coolant to see if exhaust carbons are present. A compression check would only see PSI. Do a block test first, it is way easier and will get you going in the right direction.

 

ok il do the block tester first

 

what is this block tester that you speak of?

Is it like a leakdown or compression test?

 

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=391378_0_0_

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ntifier=391381

 

sometimes it starts right up but recently it just cranks and the only way it will start it holding the gas pedal to the floor and it will eventually start and smokes for a second which is probably cause of holding the pedal down, you can shut it right off and it will start right back up. plugs are kinda white, i replaced the distributor and plugs and wires last summer . any info on this would be great i have no idea what could be up with this thing but its a pain in the you know what lol

 

Could be fuel pump..

 

when i replaced the distributor it ran with no power , i had to tilt the dizzy almost all the way toward the fire wall to get it to run right?

 

What happened did you do the block and compression test?

As for the dizzy you need to set the timing using a timing light, that is in the stickies on how to do it.

 

no never did the test been to busy.. so where do i put the dizzy at

 

doubt it ... bump...

 

CEL codes?

Have you replace the fuel filter?

What color is the smoke in the exhaust?

 

Your head gasket is almost surely blown. Focus your diagnostic tests there.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't adjusting a D-series distributor toward the firewall advancing your ignition timing? You have most likely been driving around with advanced timing and damaging your engine, i.e. head gasket, seals, perhaps your valves and piston rings.

 

Yes

 

Well, the problem obviously existed before the distributor change. My vote is for head gasket. That would be the least of your worries.