I searched, but as usual, I found similar, but not many helpful posts.

1996 Civic D16 1.6SOHC

My distributor was giving out on me so I replaced it. Followed up with adjusting timing. Did the whole timing light shebang, set the crank to 16degrees, and it ran even better than before.

Now the problem is when I get to high RPMs, about 5-6k, (note: this problem happens only when warm) I'll suddenly feel something lugging, almost like hydroplaning, or tires burning out.

When I let off and the RPMs get low, it will shoot up to a high idle (1.5-2.5k) and stall unless I really work the clutch and gas in a certain way, kind of like starting from a dead stop in 2nd gear.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that if I turn the car off, then back on again, it's back to normal.

Now my first instinct was the timing is a little bit off. I set the crank pulley to exactly TDC, lining up the single mark on the lower timing cover. Next I moved on to check the camshaft timing. I know there is a discrepancy with this. Some say set the timing marks (there is one on the right side of the cam gear and left side) level with the top of the head, and some say set them offset a little bit with the offset marks on the timing cover. On the left side, the mark is about an eight of a inch below and on the right side it's about an eight of an inch above. I measured the distance between one tooth, and it's a quarter inch (one eighth plus one eight). If you know anything about civic timing you should know what I mean, sorry I couldn't get any pics.

Right now my marks are lined up with the top of the head, but I'm thinking my timing could be a tooth off. Should I advance it one tooth? Does this problem sound like a "one-tooth off problem?"

Thanks in advance guys, I know it's a long read.

I have a bad downstream o2 sensor, but it's been bad for over a year and I've never had this problem so I don't think it could be that.

 

The lower part of the first image is what I mean by the offset marks. The mark on the left side of the timing cover is about an eight of a inch below the top of the head and vice versa with the right side mark. How I have it set up at the moment, the marks are dead even with the top of the head.

 

Welcome to the Honda Accord (1990 - 2002) forum.

 

Yeah I just noticed that.

 

I'm not sure how to delete this thread so if a Mod sees it, please delete it. Thanks