[Blackbird_Pilot]

Hello again everyone. Well today I'm working on the white 89 crx HF. I just put a clutch in it last weekend. It does have a cheesy rice can on the back with 2.5 exhaust from the header back. No cat, compliments of the previous owner. Sounds like crap and looks even crappier. A home made air intake that also looks like crap. Engine stock other than those mods. My issue is this. The car will start up, it hardly idles, blows oil out of can (doesn't smoke) and just sounds like its drowning itself. I can go forever throughout the day but if I stop and let it idle (if you can call it that) for any length of time it will die and fail to start up again until at least 10 hours later.

My thoughts:
A) With the exhaust and air intake the car is flooding itself out. (Have not looked at the plugs after it occurs yet, probably do that tomorrow).
B) Have no idea.
C) Really have no clue
D) Its 11:23 but really 12:23 and I'm tired.

Any information would be great.
Thanks
BP

 

[downest]

What engine is in the car... stock HF motor?

 

[zerocool1014a]

does it pour oil or smoke? and about the ****ty idle are you getting any codes? it could be that the o2 sensor is missing/disconnected or is connected and in an area that it doesnt matter.. also what has your gas mileage been like? there could be alot of factors there deffinately need more info.

 

[jloehlein]

I am not sure about the Hondas, but I have seen cars blow oil out of the exhaust (and not smoke) when they had a bad head gasket. It can't hurt to check your compression.

 

[Blackbird_Pilot]

What engine is in the car... stock HF motor?

Stock HF engine.

does it pour oil or smoke? and about the [cruddy] idle are you getting any codes? it could be that the o2 sensor is missing/disconnected or is connected and in an area that it doesnt matter.. also what has your gas mileage been like? there could be alot of factors there deffinately need more info.

Not sure where to look for the codes. Its doesn't smoke, just spits oil out the can. My mileage has gone to hell also.

I am not sure about the Hondas, but I have seen cars blow oil out of the exhaust (and not smoke) when they had a bad head gasket. It can't hurt to check your compression.

Where can I get a compression tester. I've been wanting one for other reasons as well. Its as good of a time as any to buy one now.

Thanks for the help guys.
BP

 

[jloehlein]

Where can I get a compression tester. I've been wanting one for other reasons as well. Its as good of a time as any to buy one now.

You can get a compression tester for $20-$30 at almost any parts store. I think I have even seen them at some Wal-Marts.

 

[SETI20]

With can, you mean the exhaust?
A black substance doesn't immediately mean oil. Exhausts are pitch black on the inside. Any liquid will turn black.

Simple test to see if it's fuel.... catch some of the black fluid on a kleenex, and set it on fire. If it dies, it's water. If it smokes and dies, it's oil. If you singe your eyebrows it's fuel.

 

[zerocool1014a]

Simple test to see if it's fuel.... catch some of the black fluid on a kleenex, and set it on fire. If it dies, it's water. If it smokes and dies, it's oil. If you singe your eyebrows it's fuel.

lol NICE!

 

[downest]

Ok so you have the HF motor, with an intake and header-back? Do you have the stock intake manifold (the runners are slightly thicker than your finger)? What about exhaust manifold? The HF mani ends only a few inches from the head, then the cat, then the rest of the exhaust. Perhaps it needs the correct plumbing for intake and exhaust, including the O2 sensor near the engine. I have a spare HF intake tube if you want it.

 

[Blackbird_Pilot]

Ok so you have the HF motor, with an intake and header-back? Do you have the stock intake manifold (the runners are slightly thicker than your finger)? What about exhaust manifold? The HF mani ends only a few inches from the head, then the cat, then the rest of the exhaust. Perhaps it needs the correct plumbing for intake and exhaust, including the O2 sensor near the engine. I have a spare HF intake tube if you want it.

That might be something to try. What will it cost me to get it shipped to 82718?

Thanks
BP

 

[Blackbird_Pilot]

New information for your consideration. I changed the spark plugs still no start. So, I figured I better listen for the fuel pump to hum. I didn't hear anything. So I started messing with the ignition. I had the wife turn the key on and off several times, after about the 5 or 6th turn of the key I heard the pump start humming. It then started right up. I would then turn the car off and turn the key again, nothing from the pump. Then after a few turns of the key I could hear it again. Very weird.

So is this an issue with the pump itself or is there a relay somewhere that is malfunctioning? Any help would be great!

Thanks
BP

 

[RamaCrx]

Main relay or the fuel pump itself. Easier to change the main relay by far.
I picked up 2 at the jy recently.

 

[Blackbird_Pilot]

Main relay or the fuel pump itself. Easier to change the main relay by far.
I picked up 2 at the jy recently.

Is the main relay under the dash on the driver side?

 

[RamaCrx]

Yes far left behind the little fold down box on the dash near the door.

 

[Blackbird_Pilot]

Yes far left behind the little fold down box on the dash near the door.

Great thanks. Can't be to much to replace. Do you by chance remember how much it cost you?

BP

 

[RamaCrx]

At the junkyard it was maybe a buck.
It's very easy to fix. One screw and unplug it. Some people try to resolder it. It lasts for awhile that way. There are threads about it here.