12 replies to this topic

[andrew.rios94]

I just got an 85 Si to replace my 84 dx. 
60-0 on the freeway... I dont know how the damage to the car or me wasn't anyworse than it was.
I should have kept her, the entire front end was gone, but I shouldv'e still kept her.
 
But now I got fuel injection and a soon roof  First time driving stick too, literally got it down in like 5 minutes.
 

 
 

 
 
 
Okay so to the isues I'm having, sometimes the idle is high (1500) or jumpy (between 1000-1500). Iacv or vacuum leak right?
And the pgmfi light turns on sometimes too. Getting a code 1 on that. That is O2 sensor, wire to O2 sensor, or spark plugs?
And I smell gas so I think I'm running a bit rich.
 
Other than that she's running good for the miles she has. 240k 
 
These things shouldn't be too complicated to figure out, I mostly just wanted to show off my new ride   


Forgot to mention the previous owner recently replaced the water pump and timing belt.
Also has a new head and new has rings and seals and well as a new catalytic.
And should have a new o2 sensor too. He did say wires, spark plugs, cap, and rotor were due for replacing so I'll start there.
 

Edited by andrew.rios94, 04 January 2014 - 10:49 AM.

[cbstdscott]

Wow, it looks like you got a clean one!

 

I know the temptation is to rev it hard/drive it hard to "see what it'll do" but on an old car with a dodgey timing belt that is a recipe for disaster (bent valves). My first job would be to swap in a new timing belt and water pump. With the water pump you will replace the coolant and be sure to bleed the coolant system well, that might help your idle issue.

 

Check for vacuum leaks and replace any hose that looks sad. My guess is that your O2 sensor is shot so replace that and then do a complete electrical tune up (Cap, rotor and plugs). If the O2 sensor has been bad for a while, your catalytic converter will be buggered as well. Google "fixes" for a bad cat (like running some turpentine or some such through your gas tank) and that "might" help but you can probably count on a new catalytic converter if you register it in California.

 

Remember that Honda changed all of the electrical connectors in the 1986 model year so be certain to buy 1985 year electrical components if they need replacing.

 

Scott

[asianflava]

Those are the same exact problems I had when I acquired my 85 Si.  I tried cleaning the valve with no improvement, but a local pepper was selling some parts and had one.  It got better though it still hunts a little bit.  I replaced the Bosch O2 sensor with an NTK part.  So far I haven't had a CEL, but I must admit that I don't drive the car much.

 

 

Bosch on the Right:

 

[Vicious]

Was that the crx on eBay asking 5k?

[ballade]

wow nice ride. keep her clean. 

[andrew.rios94]

Wow, it looks like you got a clean one!
 
I know the temptation is to rev it hard/drive it hard to "see what it'll do" but on an old car with a dodgey timing belt that is a recipe for disaster (bent valves). My first job would be to swap in a new timing belt and water pump. With the water pump you will replace the coolant and be sure to bleed the coolant system well, that might help your idle issue.
 
Check for vacuum leaks and replace any hose that looks sad. My guess is that your O2 sensor is shot so replace that and then do a complete electrical tune up (Cap, rotor and plugs). If the O2 sensor has been bad for a while, your catalytic converter will be buggered as well. Google "fixes" for a bad cat (like running some turpentine or some such through your gas tank) and that "might" help but you can probably count on a new catalytic converter if you register it in California.
 
Remember that Honda changed all of the electrical connectors in the 1986 model year so be certain to buy 1985 year electrical components if they need replacing.
 
Scott

Sorry, I forgot to mention the previous owner recently replaced the water pump, timing belt, cat, and o2 sensor.
But I'll check the sensor again and he said it was about due for that electrical tune up so I'll just start with that.

She already failed the smog. The gas cap and the emissions were a bit high, but only b/c it's just dumping fuel.

And thanks for your input.

[andrew.rios94]

Was that the crx on eBay asking 5k?

No. I found her off Craigslist for 2k

[andrew.rios94]

wow nice ride. keep her clean.

Yeah thanks. That is the plan. I just need to work on the interior.

Edited by andrew.rios94, 04 January 2014 - 03:57 PM.

[Smokescreem]

looks real good. How is the inside?

[andrew.rios94]

looks real good. How is the inside?

Not too bad. Seats need to be reupholstered. The black plastics in the back are faded. The tan is kind of dirty. So I'm just going to paint it all black. And I need new rear carpet.

[asianflava]

Not too bad. Seats need to be reupholstered. The black plastics in the back are faded. The tan is kind of dirty. So I'm just going to paint it all black. And I need new rear carpet.

Haha exactly like mine!  

 

The PO did reupholster the seats and had a Macco paint job not too long before I bought it.  The plastics need to be painted (SEM to the rescue), the headliner needs a serious cleaning, and the rear carpet is worn down to the padding.  My spoiler is also a gonner, it swells up whenever it gets wet.

 

BTW: I forgot to mention in my prior post that the NTK was the only O2 sensor I found with the correct plug.  The others required you to cut off the old one and splice it on.  For some reason the ones that the parts stores stocked had the same plug as the one coming out of the car..  

[cbstdscott]

Running rich is a symptom of a bad O2 sensor which in turn will kill your catalytic converter so be SURE your PO did the work he claimed. You need a one wire O2 sensor, splicing on a generic O2 sensor is OK. I use Bosch.

 

Replacing the gas cap is common as is not passing emissions if EVERYTHING is fresh. To pass emissions you will need to put the highest octane gas you can find plus octane booster into the tank PLUS get the catalytic converter HOT HOT HOT (not just warmed up but as fiercely hot as you can get it) just before pulling into the test station.

 

Scott

[rollz87civic]

Wish I could find a crx that clean here in Oregon. It dose sound like the o2 sensor changed out. A good tune up always helps.