So I just got back driving my civic for the first time in a couple of weeks and I noticed at the stop lights that it has a lower rpm than usual?



I’m wondering if this is a normal range? Again, first time driving it in a while maybe I just noticed it? It doesn’t seem too bad but there is just an ever so slightly that the car shakes a little bit and maybe wants to stall if it goes down any lower... should I be concerned?

also, I didn’t do anything to the car. Last thing I did was fix the main relay and taped the wirings a bit better because the last owner didn’t seem to do a good job with taping.

oh and also, I replaced the distributor from someone parting out his civic a few weeks ago and I didn’t use a timing gun I just sort of slapped it on how it was on my old one. Could that be it? But it seemed fine after all these weeks...

 

It does seem a little low maybe, if it is in a 500 range. Which Civic trim is it, or if you have swapped, which engine?

 

The FSM 1992-1995 (pp.11-102) says that with no load the D15Z1 MT is normal at 600+/- 50 RPM and all other engines 670 +/- 50. All engines with AT are listed 700 +/- 50. With load that 700 +/-50, 670 +/-50, and 700 +/-50 respectively.

Couldn't do screen capture.

 

I would start by cleaning the IACV.

 

And I do think just slapping the distributor on might be the problem. Get a timing light and set it correctly. You need to do that anyway, regardless of this problem.

 

I cleaned the iacv a while ago I don’t think it’s it and when I took it sort it does seem in good condition. It’s an eh3 with a d16z6 in it manual transmission

 

Tonight I plan on using a timing gun and fix the timing

 

OP, based on the photo that you have posted above, it appears that your car is idling perfectly at right around 700 rpm. Many people incorrectly identify engine idle speeds based on the slightly confusing markings that Honda provided on the tachometer face. The first mark above the long, thick mark with the ZERO next to it is actually the 500 rpm mark. Notice that this mark is identical in length and thickness to all of those found half way in between the longer and thicker marks with the numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and even 8 next to them. Does this make sense ?

Now, obviously your engine has idled at a higher rpm previously, or you wouldn't have created a thread. Since you didn't provide a photo, or even indicate what rpm the idle speed was previously, there is no way to effectively offer any suggestion as to how to fix that issue, or even why the issue existed in the first place. In theory, you likely previously had a slightly high idle... and bolting on another distributor in a slightly different position will affect your idle speed. Properly setting your base ignition timing will put the idle where it should be... regardless of where it was, how you think it should be, and how it is displayed on your instrument cluster.

 

Yeah it seem to idle a bit higher but that was because I was probably used to it with the distributor not correctly timed. Now I didn’t get a chance to time it today but I did replaced my radiator Bc it was cracked a bit and leaking and I had enough of it. Also, it seems to me that there was a bit of air in the system Bc my idling was a bit whack but I bled the system and the surging seemed to be fixed. The idle rpm seemed a little bit higher it doesn’t seem to be wanting to stall anymore! But I will still time ignition regardless and I’ll let you know how it goes