Hello all, I hope everyone is haveing a great day so far. I just registered in hopes of getting a little help trouble shooting my downded Civic. Its a 91 HtchBk with IIRC a 1.4 ltr(the smaller motor I believe).
The other night on the way home, car was running just fine like always, anyhow the engine stopped, as it is quite quiet car, it took a second to even realise the engine had quit. Happened to be a pullout right there so pulled it in and p-arked. Thought maybe the Fuel pump, then maybe the filter as I just filled tank after a while of not filling....
so we blew the filter out and a bunch of sludgy crap came shooting out, pump is pumping just fine..thought NP, hooked filter back up and still nada. Car turns over fine, electric 'seems' fine' but ????
Is there something about thte crush washers in the fuel filters, We had a bit of a time getting the fittings to seal when we re hooked it. All connections look copacetic.
So now I am looking for any piotential probs, I love this car, it has served me so well, and I really dont want to park it yet, I just put tires, complete exhaust replaced, new rotors, breaks are great now, even a new windshield cause I was paranoid about getting pullled over for a crack running along the bottom of window !!!
So I just dumped near 1200-1300(got four never used 13"s for 50$ ....score!!!).
So any ideas Honda Civic Gurus.
What causes the motor to just die mid stroke like that, no warning nothing ?
Any and all ideas really appreciated as I am at a loss, and not the most gifted mechanic to start with, but I know how to ask for help, and so here I am.
Thanks for your time.
Mike Latimer
Peace.

 

main relays have a habit of not working or just partially failing (can often be fixed, or just purchased, price varies). The pickup in the distributor is also common and very random (and can be fixed). You need to determine whether your getting adequate fuel, spark, and compression. In the case I think you can rule out the latter (the expensive one), swing by the local big box parts store, they usually loan the tools you need (they come with instructions).

 

Thanks for the reply. I just got the old girl home last night, and have yet too have a chance to really get my hands dirty. I do have some help in the form of a honda expert who worked in a dealership shop for near 20 yrs, so he is coming by maybe later or tommorow, just said he would pop by when he gets as chance and take a look at her.
The relays were the next step, but will also check dist. pickup....but must admit my ignorance, in not really understanding the part of your reply about the big box stores and the lending of tools, perhaps things are a lil different across the pond as the say, Im in B.C.
But I do have access to a decent set of tools that I can use, and I do now which end of a wrench does which. More just at a loss of where to start, but now that is solved as well.
Looking for a haynes manual, thought thsat might offer some insight, and give me a decent set of instructions for taking apart and putting back to gether.
Will keep you posted, thanks again friend.
M. Latimer.

 

The auto parts stores that look more like a grocery store, generally stock more keychains and stickers than parts - but they're open all week so it's convenient.
Anyway, old Hondas never die