Honda civic sounds like a lawnmower

Despite an aftermarket exhaust that does effect the sudible performance of my engine, I was wondering what would make a honda sound like a lawnmower? I am guessing it has something to do with the idle air/fuel mixture, but I can't adjust the timing anymore; my hitachi distrubitor is turned clear in one direction right now.
Any suggestions anyone?

do you have a cold air intake ?

why is your timing adjusted the way it is ?

and its not gonna sound like a v6 or v8 so stop trying to get it to ..

The ignition timing is adjusted the way it is because the engine stalls if I adjust it too much the other direction. I realize this can be fixed after checking the timing with a timing light.

I couldn't tell you for sure if my car is equipped with cold air intake, though I think it is. The air filter housing is the only thing sitting on top of the carb.

I may be trippin' out of my skull with all of this, but I have to make sure. I do still have to mess with the idle air/fuel miw and idle speed, after I make sure the ignition timing is okay. I am just looking for any solutions I don't know about.

The only reason that tyhe timing should be set that far ahaid is if you have a cam and need the extra advance. i have to set mine fully foreward as well but im running a basically all motor car.:wink: If the car literally sounds like a lawn mower than something is wrong.

And yes sometimes a small liter engine will idle and sound like a big block if it is built that way. mine is and does, but once i hit the gas it is definatly still a honda lol. Good luck. :wink: :smokin:

New developement: My honda has just about no power when I accelerate. I can get it going okay, but at a certain point, the gas pedal has no effect, and i accelerate very slowly, kind of like when I took it camping and tackled some of the steeper grades.
Also, when I check the timing with a light, it is correct when the vaccum advance hoses are off, but when I put them back on, they're in a totally different place, though still visible.

I have the same prob with my 87si It sounded like it was missing so i checked the timing and changed the plugs. it was worse after i did that.....sounds like its running on three cylinders and when i push down on the gas it tries to stall out and the only way to pic up any speed is to hardly press the gas down until it picks up enough rpms then once its past about 2000 its good....but still missing ...help us someone

I have the same prob with my 87si

Check to make sure that your injectors are working properly.

With the car off, take the small clip off of each injector connector. Put the connectors back on then start the motor. Take the plugs off one by one and if the idle doesn't change when you remove one of the connectors, that injector isn't working. Replace it, and don't forget to put the clips back on.

hey i think i know what the problem is but it aint easy for a newb, the problem could be a bent valve or burnt up valve,cause when i used to have a d15a2 in my 86 it sounded like a lawnmower and so i got me a compression tester and tested each cylinder and my first cylinder didnt have compression,so i took the head off and i had a bent exhaust valve and i changed it and put it back together and it sounded like a honda and doing all that by my self cost me about 100 dollers and its a cheap fix and you get so much power back,well i hope this helps later

check your coolant and your oil for contamination,also check your exhast for exsesive steam/vapors coming out. My guess is a blown head gasket. unless your timing belt slipped you shouldn't have a bent valve. I couldn't tell you if it is an interferance engine or not, but if it isnt bent valves are less common, however, sticking and high carbon buildup are likely culprets, especialy if the mixture has been set too rich(a very good sign of poor performance evidenced by pulling badly/poorly up hills)

The Test;
#1 if coolant has oily deposits under the rad cap, or in the rad overflow tank 99% sure its the head gasket
#2 under the oil filer cap has water, rust, or chocolat milk looking deposits
80% sure its the head gasket
#3 check the oil, if the oil looks like chocolat milk
(99% sure its the head gasket

If any combination of the three exist it is definatly the head gasket

If non of these are prevelant than run about halve a can of carberator or throttle body cleaner through the intake at about 2-3000 RPM to try to knock some of the carbon buildup out
if there is no improvement reset everything you changed(mixture, timing, etc.)
then have your timing belt checked for looseness and if it is still on the right teeth

only other posibility I can think of is maybe the intake gasket or vacuum hoses are leaking use a doctors stethascope or a piece of hose in your ear to check for leaks