Sputtering Issues

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Old Nov 5, 2018 | 07:47 AM
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Default Sputtering Issues

Hey there folks. I am new to the Honda scene and recently picked up a 1988 Honda Civic DX with the d15 motor. I am having issues with the car sputtering when I am accelerating and have a good amount of white smoke coming from my exhaust. So far, I have replaced the spark plugs, valve cover gaskets, distributor cap, plug wires, changed the oil and oil filter, and put dry gas in the gas tank to try to resolve the issue with no luck. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I am just not familiar with these older Hondas and don’t want to keep shelling out cash for parts that aren’t fixing the problem (even though all the things done to it were probably beneficial anyway lol). Thanks all.
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Old Nov 5, 2018 | 09:11 AM
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Default Re: Sputtering Issues

White smoke is coolant issues most of the time. Do you know any history on the car? Meaning if it had a bad headgasket that could have warped the head or something.
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Old Nov 5, 2018 | 09:23 AM
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Default Re: Sputtering Issues

I have very limited information on the history of the car. It could very well be the head gasket that is causing the smoke. Thanks for the heads up, ill look into replacing it and see if that resolves the issue. Still trying to figure out the sputtering and power lag. My first thought was misfiring, but I’m not sure what other options to explore there...
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Old Nov 5, 2018 | 09:26 AM
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Default Re: Sputtering Issues

Well misfiring would be easy to solve by pulling out the plug wires while the car is on and checking spark. You just changed all that though and it doesn't account for the white smoke. Are you having any over heating issues?
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Old Nov 5, 2018 | 09:28 AM
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Default Re: Sputtering Issues

I changed the thermostat which gave me heat again, but yes I seem to still be having overheating issues.
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Old Nov 5, 2018 | 09:30 AM
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Default Re: Sputtering Issues

Ah, if you are having overheating issues then for sure head gasket man, I would change that asap
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Old Nov 5, 2018 | 09:31 AM
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Default Re: Sputtering Issues

Okay man. Will do! Thanks
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Old Nov 7, 2018 | 02:03 PM
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Default Re: Sputtering Issues

Originally Posted by KlippMike
Okay man. Will do! Thanks
Compression test the cylinders, and do a leak down test to verify.

If the diagnosis is a bad head gasket, DON'T TAKE ANY SHORTCUTS.
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Old Nov 7, 2018 | 02:24 PM
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Default Re: Sputtering Issues

Okay will do, thanks for the advice. Probably going to do the water pump, head gasket, and timing belt just to give it a better chance. Would the head gasket cause the sputtering?
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Old Nov 7, 2018 | 02:31 PM
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Default Re: Sputtering Issues

Originally Posted by KlippMike
Would the head gasket cause the sputtering?
It could, but verify that it is the problem by doing proper diagnostics. If you don't know how to install a head gasket that won't fail soon after installation, do some serious reading or hire a competent mechanic who will offer a guarantee on the work.
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Old Nov 7, 2018 | 02:40 PM
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Default Re: Sputtering Issues

I’ve done a head gasket before, and luckily my brother is a certified mechanic and will be there helping me through the process. Thanks for the insight and advice.
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Old Nov 7, 2018 | 02:48 PM
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Default Re: Sputtering Issues

Originally Posted by KlippMike
I’ve done a head gasket before, and luckily my brother is a certified mechanic and will be there helping me through the process. Thanks for the insight and advice.
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