Cylinder compression

**FrankD** · 10-10-2002, 05:58 AM

I'm trying to find the cause of loping idle. Exhaust sounds like one cylinder is missing. My compression is as follows:

Cyl PSI
------------
1 165
2 170
3 175
4 185

Car has 280,000KM . Do these results look good for carbed engine

**Dutchboy** · 10-10-2002, 08:32 AM

thats not to bad.....
there all relitivly close....as long as one isnt like 75 then there shouldnt be a prooblem..

Try doing a tune up on it if you havent already...plugs/wires/coil/cap/rotor/pcv

then see what happens.
Though ive done that to my car and it still lopes too...im waiting to see If another member can correct it with a new distributor...hes got the same thing and is going to change it.

Ben

**DanG86LX** · 10-10-2002, 08:56 AM

When the engine lopes, is missing randomly. How are ur spark plugs?
Mine used to lope b4 i cleaned the carb (took the top of, 6 screws, and cleaned all idle passages).

**FrankD** · 10-11-2002, 02:58 AM

Mine lopes consistantly. I connected a timing light and it never skipped a beat on the light for any plug, Its as if theres a heavy weight on the crankshaft or fly wheel. Its really wierd and its bugging the hell out of me. I can definately here the "bap bap bap bap" from the tail pipe and it shakes with a perfect rythm. Normal driving seems to be OK. If I just rev the engine in neutral say to 2500 rpm, it's still there but less noticable. I didn't change the coil yet because I don't understand how that could affect one cylinder only. If your engines are missing randomly I think I have a different problem. Maybe bad igniter...is that in or out of the distributor I'm used to the engine running silky smooth. I hope one of you guys get yours figured out.

**FrankD** · 10-11-2002, 03:02 AM

Where the heck is the PCV valve? and How does the O2 sensor affect idle? How much should a new/used distrbutor cost?

**FrankD** · 10-11-2002, 03:10 AM

Mines got NEW plugs, wires, cap, rotor, filters. Besides the loping I also have a fast idle that wont kick off somtimes for 15 minutes. Lubing the linkage seems to help for a few days but the problem keeps returning. Where can I get detailed info on how this carb works?

**DanG86LX** · 10-11-2002, 07:16 AM

For PCV location look under FAQ. Is a U shaped hose upside down, in the intake manifold right in front of carb (as u face engine from the front). PCV is on the left, manifold vacuum on the right. A bad PCV might indeed cause loping (or any other vacuum leak)..
As for the carb, just ask specific Q in "Carb Tech" section. There are few posts there about choke and fast idle systems.
Haines and Chiltons manuals are useless for Carb description. Get a Helm service manual from here: http://www.helminc.com/ for $50Us but with shipping, tax and currency, it comes for ~ $120CAN

**FrankD** · 10-11-2002, 08:15 AM

My loping idle turns out to be leaking intake manifold gasket at no. 3 cylinder. I think someone already posted that this gasket is a pain in the ass to change. Now I just have to decide wether to bring it to $$$Honda $$$dealer or do it my self. Those lower manifold-to-head nuts look impossible to get at. Looks like I need to drain cooling system?...How many of you guys have done this. Do I need to borrow a compressor and air ratchet. I don't suppose I could just spray some high-tack gasket spray in there to seal it up.

**Dutchboy** · 10-11-2002, 09:38 AM

Whats the way that you found the leak in the gasket...
I suspect that could be whats wrong with my car too since ive already changed every other freaken part on the ignition and sensors etc,,,,

i was thinking of using propane...or squirting soap water on it???

is there a simper way?

BEn

**FrankD** · 10-11-2002, 10:00 AM

First...with the engine running I pulled off each spark plug lead, one at a time to see which cylinder was not firing(even though I have gas and spark). When I pulled number 3 off(wear protection!) there was very little idle difference. So now I concentrated on that area of intake gasket. While running engine while sprayed carb cleaner directly onto the #3 mating surface and bingo...idle went silky smooth for about 2 or 3 seconds until the liquid got sucked away. I used leather glove to pull plug boot off and don't touch anything else with any other part of your body. 30,000 volts will give you quite a jolt!

My Honda dealer quoted $300 to replace the gasket.
Frank

**FrankD** · 10-11-2002, 10:06 AM

Ben,
Do NOT use soap water for intake leaks, you might damage something. It took very little carb cleaner spray to make an immediate and big difference in the idle quality.

**Dutchboy** · 10-11-2002, 10:15 AM

Ok thanks.....
i was thinking that also....
itll do the same thing as the propane...

Was your leak on the top of the gasket??
I went out to look at it....looks harder than the one on the old 2ngens...
ive done them before...less emisions crap

Ben

**Dutchboy** · 10-11-2002, 10:15 AM

Oh did it smooth the idle or make it rev?
propane will make it rev higher. so i guess this will too>?

NEVER MIND I WASNT PAYING ATTENTION TO YOUR REPLY>>>GOT IT

BEn

**FrankD** · 10-11-2002, 01:00 PM

Yes...leak seems to be all on top..thats why I was thinking of trying to seal it temporily with some type of high temp sealer but I don't want to damage the cylinder if the stuff gets sucked in and craps up the valves or cylinder walls.

**Dutchboy** · 10-11-2002, 01:47 PM

i dont think that any sealant would damage anything....iit would be broken down and shit out the exhuast if anything...
I sure hope that if mine leaks too its on the top so i can seal it...
I found some sealant that is resistant to all stuff and hardens up too ...so apply it let it harden and then it shoulld be good...

Ben

**DanG86LX** · 04-23-2003, 07:42 PM

**ACCORD EX** · 04-24-2003, 03:49 AM

Originally posted by DanG86LX
Get a Helm service manual from here: http://www.helminc.com/ for $50Us but with shipping, tax and currency, it comes for ~ $120CAN

or just download it for free !

( check the FAQ's )

MIKE