[Dmitriy]

Well, I guess I'll should give you a little background. USAF and just moved to Germany from South Korea. I bought her about three weeks ago, and she acted fine at first. Stock from the looks of her, DOHC D16Z5. I'm getting about 20 mpg and now idles irratically between 1k to 2k and never really settles. I replaced the spark plugs, but the only available plugs they had on base were some frech crap I have never heard of. The old ones were still gaped correctly just had a bit of carbon on them. I kept them just in case. I imediately chaged the oil and check the air filter (almost brand new), and ran some fuel injector cleaner, but alas no luck. Not sure what its sounds like when the engine is miss firing but engine exhaust stutters after pushing on the gas and letting off. I checked all the hoses for leaks but didn't find any. I pulled out the PCV valve and it was coated with oil build up. It still operated but not sure if that is normal. Well any help/advice is really appreciated. I don't really have the money to have a mechanic give her the once over, but if anyone can narrow it down for me it would really help. I planning on getting married in denmark ASAP so money is a little tight.

 

[Krix]

Is it throwing any codes?

 

[SETI20]

Sounds like the distributor/ignitor going bad.

Why Didn't you get a VT? They aren't much more expensive here nowadays.

 

[Dmitriy]

Does the check engine light have to be on for there to be codes? It's not on if thats the case. I order some new sparkplug wires I don't know how to check if the current/distributer are any good though. As for the VT I had just got here and needed a car real bad. So I grabed the first honda that looked decent. Lucky me! Do you know if the D16Z5 is a Euro only? I can't seem to find anything on the net about it.

 

[SETI20]

Yes, the D16Z5 is an euro-spec engine only.

However, it uses the same distributor components as the USDM Si for instance.
And no, you don't need to have a CEL or even a code for the dizzy to go bad.

 

[Dmitriy]

Is there a way to look at the distributor to check if going out or should i just replace it?

 

[SETI20]

You can start with changing the rotor and the cap.
If that doesn't help, you can change the module.

The body itself rarely develops an issue.

 

[xxpaulcpxx]

You can start with changing the rotor and the cap.
If that doesn't help, you can change the module.

The body itself rarely develops an issue.

The bearings go bad - red dust of death!

 

[SETI20]

Perhaps it's the difference in mileage. And now I think of it, the housing on the DOHC is different because of the BDP sensor...so maybe th ebearings are different.

But here in Europe we don't really have that issue alot.

 

[D_Britt_57]

Have you checked the coolant level?
Have you smelled antifreeze after you stop?

I had the same thing happen (surging) and one of the small hoses around the intake manifold was leaking.
And it wasn't leaking a whole lot either, just enough at operating temp to get a whiff of anti-freeze.

Check the ends of the hoses for "ballooning" and if there is a softer spot where the hose has weakened.

It's a good idea to replace all the hoses and belts.
Sorta time consuming, but with aluminum heads, it pays to be safe.

Good luck on fixing it, and I'm jealous because you get all the cool parts we didnt get here.

 

[Dmitriy]

Thanks! I'll check that out too.

 

[Dmitriy]

Well, I replaced plugs, dis, fuel filter, and i ordered the wrong wires but anyway. The Car still isnt gettin any better gas mileage. This really sucks. Gotta drive to Denmark this week. Estimated 10 hour drive. Any Ideas would be great. I'm about to take it to a mech. if nothing pops up. Thanks Guys.

 

[Dodo]

Did you check the timing on the car? It might be time to replace the timing belt in it. That would cause the car to have a rough idle and get poor gas mileage.

 

[Dmitriy]

I took the timing cover off and checked it almost brand new. No frays or teeth missing. :frusty: :help: Tomorrow is going to suck: Ramstein, Germany ---> Horsens, Denmark. Poor car.

Start Ramstein, Rheinland-Pfalz DE Revise |

END Horsens, Vejle DK Revise |

Total Est. Time: 7 hours, 41 minutes

Total Est. Distance: 570.37 miles

 

[xxpaulcpxx]

Check you timing! You could be off a tooth.. or three. It happenes very easily.