Car: 1999 civic si
engine: b16a2
OK first of all, mods:
ecu: chipped p28
piggy back: vafc
cams: 98 itr
valves, springs, retainers: 98 itr
Block: stock b16a2 with new piston rings and rod bearings
intake: 98 itr
header: DC 4-2-1
cat: custom melted ( I think)
exhaust: Greddy SP
fuel: AEM fuel rail

Ok so here's the problem. Every now and then when I start the car it runs very rough. So rough that the thing won't really want to idle at all. The other day it wouldn't even start. It would crank but no go. Any ideas on where to go first? I was thinking of switching the ecu back out and using my stock ecu first off. Also every now and then it will puff blue smoke right after it is warmed up, when it is warm it doesn't puff smoke. I have been told that this is due to my possibly clogged cat or I have a leaky valve cover gasket. Any other ideas on what could be wrong? I really would like to get my car running well again. I will also post this in the all motor section.

 

If you think it's the cat. Start it without one. Did you ever check you plugs? You might be running too rich. Start with those, coz it's easy. Do a process of elimination.

 

thanx for the reply. checked plugs. Cream colored on all of em but still got oil on the #4 cyl one. Yeah lol I can't get my damn cat off cuz the bolts are too tight and i don't have an air compressor . Thanx for the responces keep em coming.

 

Was it caked in oil or just a little, you definitely have a problem with #4 do a compression and a leak down to determine if its valve seals or rings. I don't know if that would have anything to do with your start up problem though.

 

Here are pics of the spark plugs. Left to right 4-1. See the oil on the threads?




Modified by sinatra at 10:54 AM 8/30/2003

 

Looks like you could be running a little rich. Have you ever got the car tuned professionally ?

 

not yet. am tryin to ge the big things taken care of first before I go to a dyno tuner.

 

I think white is lean and black is rich so it looks like you might be running lead.

 

Yes white is lean.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sinatra &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yes white is lean.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah sorry my fault. I suggest getting your car tuned to see if that helps.

 

I am worried that we will be tearing the engine apart again. Either valve seals or piston rings are bad I think because of the blue smoke. I am not gonna tune until this thing stops smokin.