I've been window shopping for a CR-V. I found a 2000 in my local area for $1900obo - owner says it is in good condition inside and out, but has a misfire on cylinder #4. Before contacting him for more info about the vehicle, I wanted to see what some possible causes / fixes would be for this issue.

First guess would be coil pack, but I'd assume the owner had already tried that..

Next would be a problem in the internal engine itself.. so maybe I could ask to do a compression test while initially inspecting the vehicle, to see if it could be a leak with a piston ring or something.. Also, could a burnt exhaust or intake valve cause this? I don't want to get in over my head, BUT on the other hand I like learning about Hondas and becoming more independent with vehicles. Most I've ever done is a clutch, and a rebuild on an old AMC 304 V-8..never really torn into a newer engine, aside from a timing belt change.

Should I try to find one without any current issues, even though I will probably pay much more (~$1500 more) for one in that condition? I am now on the hunt for a 1999-2001 and a 5-speed, which is hard to find in these vehicles! Thanks for any tips you guys!

 

No coil pack's here... Last time my crv had a misfire it was bad spark plug wire's bought new one's walla.... talk them down $400 buck's and buy the damn thing

 

I would still consider doing a compression test right off the bat, before you pull the trigger. It could be a sign of the fabled valve recession, or it could be like my wife's '97 V, and a crapload of carbon build-up keeping the valve(s) from opening/closing properly. Either way, you'd be looking at digging into the head; if it's the former, you're likely looking at replacing the head.

Just food for thought.

If you're okay with the idea of pulling the head yourself, then there's nothing to deter you. I suspect if you've rebuilt a 304, you'd likely be okay with wrenching on this yourself. I do, however, hope it's something stupid easy and simple, and you walk out of there with a hell of a steal.

 

I would for sure be okay with pulling the head and taking it to a machine shop to get the valves replaced and resealed / head resurfaced. I would just be weary of if anything went wrong on the bottom end. Piston / block work would make this endeavor a little pricey. I paid $804 for all of the machine work that was done on the 304, and I don't want to have to do that again.

Do you know how much the head work be from the machine shop? My guess would be around $300, but I don't know if that would be even remotely accurate. If I have to find a head, I could probably track down a used one rather easily (any B20 head - some Integras used the same engine and would be interchangeable, right?) Once the damage of a burnt valve is done, is the head usually able to be salvaged? Or are people replacing them left and right because the cost of replacement is comparable to the cost of machine work, when getting it done professionally?

So basically, ask to do a compression test. If the numbers are bad on one cylinder, then that would indicate the burnt exhaust valve? And if they were bad on consecutive cylinders, that would indicate a head gasket failure? And if the wet shoots the PSI up, that would indicate rings, right? Making sure my understanding is accurate..

I would love to get this thing, because the ad says the interior / exterior are in great condition..just the misfire is the main problem.

EDIT: Just looked at the ad again, and it's a '98. Guess I won't be getting that!! Damn.. Or should I not exclude it? It'd be the B20B vs the B20Z..as well as whatever interior modifications they made between '98-'99

 

I'm also in the same boat with my 99, getting the check engine light showing a code for misfire in each cylinder head. I've tried all the basics, new plugs, cap, rotor, wires, etc...and its still not running right. Doing a leak down test tomorrow to see if its burnt valves. This is my first CRV and I love it so far, I'll love it even more when I get the problem resolved. I say if you can pick it up cheap go for it.

 

My 98' had a misfire as well as my buddies 97' when we first got them. Mine was from water dropping down from the spark plug boot and landing on the plug. My buddies was from a grommet that had came off of someones spark plug wrench and had stuck to the top of the plug. Someone then just smashed the boot down on top.

In other words, go look at it and don't be afraid to pull the boot off and pull the plug. If you find the problem and it's minor don't tell the seller.

 

ive had 2 crv's throw cel for cylinder misfires. Adjust your valves first before ruling it to be a burnt valve. Do a compression and leakdown test after adjusting the valves. Both of mine are still going strong.

 

Try removing the spark plugs and looking at them. I had misfires on 3 cylinders and it was oil leaking in through the seals. Try replacing the valve cover gasket and spark plug seals if you see oil on the plugs. You could just replace the seals, but since you will have it all apart you may as well replace the valve cover gasket, too.

 

Or if you are truly afraid of what it might be, talk the seller down to 1400 and get a B20 engine from ebay for $500.

Then you could replaced all of the stuff you want while it is out and just removed the old motor and install new .


When i bought the wifes 99 V , the seller told me it had a CEL on, took my pocket scanner and scanned P0420, cat efficiency code, talked him down on the price and threw in a Magnaflow from AZ for $160 .

You have the information on your side, he most likely does not