So, I want to see if you guys can help me decipher whats wrong with my car, I have a few opinions but would like to see what the community says.

Ive got a 92 Civic Vx with a modded B18C1
The important mods to the engine are as follow
-I/H/E
-JDM ITR Pistons
-ITR Cams
-Titanium retainers
-ITR Dual Valvesprings
-Exedy 11lb fly.
-Head Milled .007"
-Skunk2 Valves (standard comp)
-ARP Head Studs
-Toda Cam Gears (0,+2)
-Stock Headgasket (I think this is important to mention)
-Semi-tuned P72 (Tuned for a bit lower compression and gsr cams)

I installed the new valves, valvestem seals, head studs, cams, and cam gears, along with everything else that comes with assembling a cylinder head, myself. Got a valvejob at DNR Performance, and installed a new OEM head gasket. I torqued everything down to specs, double and triple checked it.

Here's the problem, sometimes I blow a ton of white smoke out the exhaust (more noticeable when it's cold out), the idle is sometimes normal, and other times it's low and rough. Then when I listen carefully to the exhaust I can hear knocking coming in the form of disturbed exhaust flow (little puffs and pops of exhaust) but the MOST DISTURBING problem is, when I start the car in the morning, it doesnt want to start without the throttle being partially open, and when it finally does start, it pings and knocks and makes all kinds of nasty noises until its warm, then its still audible slightly through the exhaust as I mentioned a second ago.

Things I know: Idle air control valve gasket is missing, I need to replace that asap. Im running about 11.8:1 Compression according to zealautowerks.com
B18C1
JDM ITR Pistons
Head Milled .007
= 11.8

I had rebuilt the head no more than 500 miles ago!
The head was milled by previous owner, >30,000 miles ago.

My Idea:
A) Either the head gasket has gone bad (blown) already causing: white smoke/bad idle
B) Head has warped causing: white smoke/bad idle
C) Tune is crap causing: knocking/bad idle
D) IACV Gasket is the cause of idle problem
E) All the above

Im sure there are a ton of questions so please ask away and I'll tell you everything you need to know short of my credit card numbers and social security number.. SO ASK!

 

After it has spent some time running: Check the plugs and post what they look like. Check the coolant and oil levels and post if you are losing any.

 

Alright, well I'll check the plugs in a minute. It's still pretty hot.

Oil level seems fine. But my coolant is doing something funny, its not decreasing, but increasing, it's filling the overflow resevoir pretty well. Is that a sign of blockage between the head and the block?

 

sounds like blown headgasket to me..especially with the resevoir filling up

 

-the white smoke could be a misfire due to injector(s)
-the reservoir filling up could be headgasket, are u sure u put it on the right way?
-other problems that have to do with hard to start could be-mismatched plugs/sensors, like plugging tps harness into map, etc.
-maybe check compression to see if there's a big difference between cylinders
-did you set your valve clearances?

 

Try not to run the car any more until you perform a compression test. If it's a blown HG, you'll be getting exhaust gasses and crap in the coolant system which is hard to clean out, not to mention risking further damage to the motor.

 

it's definitely the head gasket. It's misfiring like mad, running really rough, spitting water out the exhaust, and the compression was crap on all four cylinders. I'm taking the head off soon as I get home from work, ordering a new headgasket, getting the head milled, and doing a "damage assesment".

My question is, could this cause the misfires? Or are my injectors dirty/bad.

And what is the max allowance for head milling? Mine was milled .007", how much more can it go? I'm afraid of piston->valve/piston->spark plug contact.

 

I haven't checked/cleaned the injectors so that makes sense,
I am 99% sure I put it on right. But something is obviously wrong so idk.
Plugs are ok. I double-checked, but the tps was never re-calibrated after the aftemarket throttle body was installed (Blox 68mm)
I peformed a compression check 1-4: 130,120,115,125
I set all the valve lash .006" In./.007" Ex. When I initially assembled it, but it never hurts to check again.

 

Well, after some research, max head milling allowance is .002"... Lol. BUT! Solution! Get head checked for warpage and mill accordingly, call Cometic and get a thick headgasket, thus increasing distance between head and block! And decreasing likeliness of piston contact! Ugh. Money.

 

All of your problems could be from a blown HG. Once you've verified that the HG is bad, there won't be much chance that the injectors are also screwed up.

 

Ok, I hope so.

 

+1 for headgasket...
Now you gotta figure out why it blew so it doesnt happen again...
Installing the IAC gasket should help with the high idle. No gasket is basically a really large vacuum leak (not good).

 

Yes I agree, I used a gasket maker for the time being to take place of the IACV Gasket, and ordered a new gasket that will be here tuesday.

 

I took off the head last night only to reveal puddles of coolant sitting on top of my pistons, so I replaced the head gasket, and used a gasket maker for the IACV. But to no avail, the car still runs rough. I took it to Honda today and they say they can figure out on Monday whats wrong with my car.. Im getting a bit exhausted with this.

 

So the head might be cracked or warped is my final conclusion. I'm taking the car to Honda tomorrow to see which it is.

 

i was reading your posts and was curious about what honda said if anything?