'96 Civic - pings and things

First, let me say that I really enjoy this ng and have gleaned some
valuable information from the knowledgeable posters here.

I'm hoping some of you can give me some hints on how to solve a few
problems with my '96 Civic DX 1.6 5-spd with about 180K miles.

Problem 1 - When first started (usually in the morning), it does not
idle consistently fluctuating from the low end (almost stalling) to a
more normal "fast" idle. When the car is warm there are no idle
problems - it purrs like a kitten. This problem just started this
summer.

Problem 2 - Pinging. Reminds me of the cars in the '70s. Give it
some gas at the low-end of each gear and the rattling begins.

TIA for any advice. I would be happy to provide more info if anyone
has any ideas.

 

My '93 Accord did this with cheap quality gas in the tank. Switching to a
higher quality gas brand (regardless of octane) eliminated the pinging after
a few fill-ups.

Or perhaps your ignition timing needs to be adjusted.

 

no codes? what kind of maintenance has been done to it?

2 things that can cause a rough idle (but not surging, AFAIK) are bad
plugs, and bad O2 sensors. if the sensors were that bad, theyd be
throwing a code out.

 

Could be several things but I'd start with a new PCV valve and then a look
at the EACV (Electronic Air Control Valve) which could be sticking. Try
cleaning the throttle body with TB cleaner and tooth brush and poke into
the small holes near the throttle valve which are part of the EACV orifices
- might be necessary to take the TB off and clean the internals of the EACV
if that's possible with your car.

First be sure the rattle is not heatshields on the catalytic converter.
Have you tried different grades/brands of gasoline to see if it makes any
difference? Usual first approach is to check ignition and valve timing and
valve clearances... run some fuel injector through the system, e.g. Chevron
Techron Concentate which claims to clean clag off valves and combustion
chambers. Some pinging is pretty common in late-model Hondas without knock
sensors.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

Thanks for all replies so far!

I have the following notes:

Gas: I have not tried different brands/grades of gas but I will with
the next fill-up. I'm skeptical, though, that this is the problem
since I use the same station for my other two cars (one of which is a
CR-V) and have not noticed a problem with those. But, it's worth a
shot.

Codes: I don't have a scanner so I don't know what codes the engine
might be indicating. That will be the next step, I suppose, if I can't
stumble upon the solution. I'm told that Autozone will scan for free.

Maintenanace: I've done nothing but normal maintenenace to the car in
the last year - oil changes, air filter, etc. I did just replace the
fuel filter to see if that would help but it had no impact.

PCV valve: Good suggestion to replace it. I did buy one about a month
back but, on this car, it's a bit tough to get to so I haven't tackled
it yet.

EACV/Throttle Body Cleaning: I'll check into this over the weekend
when I can spend some quality time with the car.

Heat Shield: I'm quite sure this is not the source of the pinging. It
is firmly in place and I'm intimately familiar with the sound that a
loose heat shield makes. This sound is very definitely coming from
within the engine.

Fuel Injector Cleaner: Been there, done that although not with the
Chevron brand mentioned.

Summary: My first plan is to replace the PCV. I have noticed a small
amount of oil in the air filter housing - would this also be caused by
a faulty PCV? I'll also attempt the throttle body cleaning. The
switch in gas will have to wait a week or so since I just filled up.

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I will post back with results.

 

: Thanks for all replies so far!
:
: I have the following notes:
:
: Gas: I have not tried different brands/grades of gas but I will with
: the next fill-up. I'm skeptical, though, that this is the problem
: since I use the same station for my other two cars (one of which is a
: CR-V) and have not noticed a problem with those. But, it's worth a
: shot.
:
: Codes: I don't have a scanner so I don't know what codes the engine
: might be indicating. That will be the next step, I suppose, if I can't
: stumble upon the solution. I'm told that Autozone will scan for free.
:
: Maintenanace: I've done nothing but normal maintenenace to the car in
: the last year - oil changes, air filter, etc. I did just replace the
: fuel filter to see if that would help but it had no impact.
:
: PCV valve: Good suggestion to replace it. I did buy one about a month
: back but, on this car, it's a bit tough to get to so I haven't tackled
: it yet.
:
: EACV/Throttle Body Cleaning: I'll check into this over the weekend
: when I can spend some quality time with the car.
:
: Heat Shield: I'm quite sure this is not the source of the pinging. It
: is firmly in place and I'm intimately familiar with the sound that a
: loose heat shield makes. This sound is very definitely coming from
: within the engine.
:
: Fuel Injector Cleaner: Been there, done that although not with the
: Chevron brand mentioned.
:
: Summary: My first plan is to replace the PCV. I have noticed a small
: amount of oil in the air filter housing - would this also be caused by
: a faulty PCV? I'll also attempt the throttle body cleaning. The
: switch in gas will have to wait a week or so since I just filled up.
:
: Thanks again for all the suggestions. I will post back with results.

Probably you know this, but the easiest way to replace the PCV valve is with
the oil filter removed and from under the car.

 

I did not know that - thanks for the excellent tip. I was struggling with
how to replace it from above.

 

I've got a 98 DX 5-spd and it still purrs like a kitten on initial
startup and no problem with idle speed. The car has 185,000KM and all
the engine components are still original (except for regular maintenance
stuff). Also, PCV valve and fuel filter are original. In the past, I
have encountered rough idle on initial startup, but that was do to a
dead battery and the computer needed to re-learn.

I've had the exact symptoms on several occasions once I switched to
regular gas instead of premium. When I do encounter the pinging, which
is most noticeable when accelerating at low rpm, I'd fix the problem by
topping up with premium gas. Also, I've noticed that pinging is more
noticeable on extremely hot days. Perhaps the octane count (per volume)
gets effected by the heat.

Pars
98 DX Hatch

 

My sisters 97 civic was making some putt-putt ping type sounds and turned
out to be that one of her spark plugs came loose.