I've recently trying to fix my Wagon's (D15B2) ignition. It's been running super rich. I installed a timing belt myself on it two years and since then it's undergone major ignition and exhaust upgrades (new cap, cap gasket, rotor, plugs, wires, muffler, catalytic, down pipe)

I still had the running rich problem, so I decided to buy a timing light and see if I messed up the repair all those years ago.

I flashed it with the light, and no matter how far I advanced/retarded the distributor, it would not align with TDC. Even if I did get it as close as I could, the engine sounded awful and vibrated a lot.

So I am lost as what to do now? No matter how far I retard/advance the distributor the TDC mark does not align with the mark on the belt cover, but I manually rotated the engine and everything is leveled out.

What could the issue be? Any advice or help would be appreciated, thanks so much!

 

Check the compression across all 4 cylinders. There is a free tool you can rent from most places. Google "compression check" if you need help using it.

If it runs rough, you could have a cylinder not firing correctly.

 

I did a compression test in March. I do not remember the cylinder number's or the exact PSI, but I remember it going something like,

~150, ~155, ~170, ~161, My Haynes manual said about 20PSI difference is okay across the head, but would that 20PSI cause the problem I'm having?

Thanks for that input, it's opened up a few more solutions!

 

Update:

So I called an old friend of mine and apparently I had been setting the timing all wrong this entire time.

So my idea of setting the timing was connect light to Plug #1, point it at the crank pulley, and then match the TDC mark AT the valve cover mark. Well I realize that that logic is wrong because if the #1 Plug is firing at exactly TDC, then it's sparking when the piston is fully up, which thus would create an ineffective combustion and contribute to running rich problem. He said that my crank has 3 marks that indicate the degrees before that should be lining up wit the valve cover mark that the timing light should be flashing at, is this true?

If it is, does anyone know which degree mark I should be lining up?

 

make sure the engine is warm, put a jumper wire across your ignition timing adjuster connector, and you're looking for 16-18 degrees (+/- 2) BTDC, (I'm not sure these numbers are 100% correct for your engine, look on your hood to confirm) The white mark on your crank pulley is TDC, the red mark is where your timing should be set to.
Hope this helps

 

the mark in the middle of the three marks - should be red

 

Ah thanks! And for a 91 Civic Wagon, it is 18 Degrees! And I do see the center white mark, but it is red no more, I'll have to add some more paint to it.

Thanks for all the help guys! I appreciate it.

 

make sure to jumper the timing advance connector on the passenger side .inside the car