I'm trying to figure out a problem with my 2000 ex 1.6l. Only thing, mine has good compression. We kept up with the oil changes and at 233k, it still has 185 psi within 3-4 revolutions. We gave it a thorough going over (including timing belt) at 177k because the distributor played out. I'm thinking next step is to check valve lash.

 

Describe the problem in detail.

 

Hey RonJ,
I appreciate you responding so soon. This is all new to me. Since my initial posting, I'm fairly sure I've discovered the problem. The timing belt is set incorrectly. When I finally put a timing light on it, I learned that it was advanced way too far.
So much has been done to the car that I needed to start with the basics again. I had a friend who is a mechanic install the belt and assumed it was right. He even said he checked it again when I took it back to him. Oh well, I guess mistakes happen.
Now, I'm doing it myself.
Ron, thanks for checking on me though.

 

<p>You can't check ignition timing on an engine that won't start...</p>

 

I apologize for not being thorough or clear. I'm new to communicating on the computer in this way. I didn't think I started this thread. I had replied to an old one that was titled, 'Cranks won't start', I believe. I was asking if that person ever figured out his problem because car has similar issues. Fact is I can eventually get mine started. Once I did, then I checked the timing. Generally, mine runs good, intermittently. You would just never know when it was going to act up. I now have it back home and am trying to fix it. I discovered that if I hold the throttle steady at high rpm (4400 or so), the rpm will start steadily surging from 3500 to 4500 rpm. As I gradually let off the gas, it will continue to surge at lower and lower rpm until it finally shuts off at idle. I checked fuel pressure with a new gauge, Checks Good. I checked injector pulse with an L.E.D. test light, Checks Good. I checked spark by removing each sparkplug clipping them to the valve cover and cranking the motor, Checks Great with bright spark. I pulled passenger side kick panel and stuck a wire into the connector that the ECU from effecting the timing and discovered the timing is way off according to the sight and pointer on the front of the engine. I'm in the process of resetting the timing belt now.

 

<p>Given that RonJ edited your post, and RonJ was the first to respond, it's a safe bet that you necrobumped and/or threadjacked someone. &nbsp;That's no bueno around here.</p><p>Check your mechanical timing before you go ripping stuff apart. &nbsp;If it's off, then you've found your problem, and shouldn't let whatever assdouche did your timing belt job ever near a car you own again. &nbsp;The fluctuating idle sounds more like either a vacuum leak, or a failing IACV. &nbsp;Is your CEL on? &nbsp;Does it work?</p>

 

<br /><br />Yes you can

 

Spark<br />Air <br />Fuel<br />Timing<br />Compression <br /><br />Find the missing link

 

Please explain.

 

Crank that ****** over with the gun aimed at the crank. <br /><br />Whenever i disconnect my battery i have to re sync my timing since i use the epm and k coils. <br /><br />Youll see the light just a lot slower. Then i move my timing till it matches my crank at whatver i locked it at. Usually 16 degrees <br /><br />But i use a real ems so of course this doesnt apply to stock ecus or hondata but you should still be able to see the timing

 

I'm pretty sure that you can't set the correct base ignition timing unless the engine is idling to spec.

 

<p>That's what the FSM says, at least, and I'd be inclined to believe it.</p>

 

I didnt say you can set it i said you can check it <br /><br />Da fuq ron ?

 

Check to what end, patchy?

 

Thats its firing at or around 16 degrees btdc <br /><br />Could be firing 180 degrees off <br /><br />Easy way to check for spark too <br /><br />Dont be mad i troubleshoot better than you

 

Please return to GDD to troll.

Which you already basically know unless you failed at setting the mechanical timing correctly.

If this is a common issue for you, then you have bigger problems.

Yet no easier than standard methods which yield more useful information.

 

U mad

 

I don't allow trolling in tech forums. Message received loud and clear?