(Sorry about the long post) I have a 88 5spd CRX DX with the D15 and 167k miles. The car ecently failed emmisions for too high NOx. The car seemed to missfire in high rpm. When you rev in first to about 5k the tach would stick then it would jump to 6k. Also a buddy said when I shifted at this point it would blow out black smoke. I checked to see if I was getting fuel and thats was okay. Then I checked my spark. All the plugs were black except the Number 2 cylnder. That plug was coated in oil and the tip was black. Refering to chiltons and hayes I figured the piston rings were shot on the number 2 cylnder thus leaking oil into the cumbustion chamber at high rpm. Then that would cause it to miss and also not pass emmisions.

Ok now the question. I have about 500 bucks to spare at the time and was looking to replace the piston rings since the car is a daily driver. I have decent mechanical skills and have the books for information. My question is what exactly would I need to replace to get her back on the road. Like I figure I might as well replace all the rings. Also how would you clean the block while still in the car (since I don't have a cherry picker) and how would I go about cleaning the pistons and such?

The final thing I would like to say is that I want to do this because I want to learn more about engine building and want the exp. Also I do not want to swap at this time. Thanks for the help.

 

If you do not own a Helm's manual for your car, i would suggest picking one up. Its a real shop manual, and not that vauge crap you buy at Pep Boys. http://www.helminc.com Its about 50 bucks, but it'll get you out of alot of jams if you're the do-it-yourselfer. Good luck man.