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Ok, some things happen and make you question everything. This is one of those times for me.
This is a 99 Civic EX with around 320k miles that I drive to and from work and I’ve had this car for over 20 years. I recently had a HG issue that was pressurizing my coolant, removed the head, had it surfaced (it was warped a tad). I’m saying that, a couple of things here, after setting the engine to TDC, verified cam gear marks were lined up, marked the belt and gear in a couple of places, and simply slid the belt off. When I removed the intake, I completely forgot the knock sensor was right there and easy to break (grabbing a pic of it with my phone after it was running, it looks like it’s together). Now, getting it back together after getting the head surfaced, it looked and seemed as if everything lined up. It did start, and I’ve been driving it for a few days now, and it will occasionally throw a P0325 during normal driving, normal mid range RPMs. If I accelerate and keep the RPMs on the higher end, no code at all. Also, starting sounds a tad funny, almost like a dragging sound, but the car runs fine, but it does seem like I can notice a slight stutter during lower RPMs, but I may be imaging it. I do have new plugs, wires, dizzy cap and button that I replaced after seeing the code, because why not…needed them anyway. Thought at first when I set the valves, .025 exhaust and .020 intake, maybe that could have caused the code, but I doubt it. Thought maybe I was a tooth off on the belt, but I think I’d have more issues. I even checked vacuum and it’s just a tad under 20lbs.
Could it be a damaged but not broken knock sensor? Any suggestions? Ideas?
I haven’t replaced it yet, since I’m not 100% sure it’s the issue. It was replaced a few years ago and have had zero issues until firing it up and started driving after getting the head back on.
This morning I noticed I actually threw a P1399 and P0325, first time I’ve had more than the P0325. This car doesn’t have an EGR, so now I’m thinking valve lash? I know I checked the clearance several times, but maybe it is off?
Dreaded P0325 Code
