My AWD Civic Wagon

My local car repair buddy finished my car for me -- I can't really complain he did take a long time but he has been backed up and didn't charge me too much :-)

The car runs and drives strong even with its 225,650 miles -- but she does smoke. Mostly at take off or after a long down hill useing the motor as a brake... on our engines what normally wears more rings or valve seals? and what is the average cost to have a shop make such repairs? I just had the timing belt and water pump replaced and valves adjusted so a swap isn't the best for me - at least I don't think it would be?

I'll post some photo's tonight if my DSL modem comes in... I lost it during the black out of 2003

Well thanks again fellow members!

john

Both....my 85 Civic had the valve seals go...so bad that I got cylinder pressure backfiring up thru my carbeurator :eek: - and the car wouldn't go faster than 45 with only 156k miles on it.

My 91 Civic currently seems to have wore out rings...with 215,xxx miles, but the valves seem OK, since I have plenty of power, and no smoke at start up. I consume about a quart every 1,200 miles.

You should be able to just keep on driving what you have for a while. My motor started burning oil a couple of years ago, and I got a ZC motor to swap, but have been lazy about putting it in. Your car may give you another 50k or 60k miles!! ;) - If you decide to swap, you can swap in any D-series engine into your car pretty easily. Check out the internet on details of these swaps. You can put things like a d16y8 (127 HP) motor from a 96-00 Civic (major wiring changes to MPFI & OBD-2), all the way to a d16a6 (108HP) from a 88-91 Si engine (only MPFI wiring needed). Plus with mounts and other trannies, shift linkage, etc.. you can get a B-series motor. More HP, but more work to get in :cool: I'll let you do your own homework..the two most popular swaps now seem to be the ZC, b16a, and then the newer Civic D-series motors right behind.

As a matter of fact...Go pick up the current HONDA TUNING magazine. They are building a Draggin' Waggin' :lol: I think it is pretty neat!!! I think they decided on a d16z6 motor (92-95 Civic), but I can't remember.

I might be wrong on this, but I think the AWD wagon came with the D16A6/MPFI setup from the factory. If that's true, you could stick a ZC in there with minimal effort.

I might be wrong on this, but I think the AWD wagon came with the D16A6/MPFI setup from the factory. If that's true, you could stick a ZC in there with minimal effort.


Correct it is the same as the 88-91 CRX SI :-) it seems to pull strong (this is my 1st Honda) for a car of its size and power output... in 5th on the highway it will keep going past 85 and feels like it would keep going if I was on a closed track.


after about 500 miles i have seen no oil change on the dip stick (but 500 miles aint much of a sample) and my milage has increased to about 25mpg (from 21 after adjusting the valves...) have any good ways to describe how this motor should drive/pull like?

my biggest concern is passing emisions :-)


thanks again...

As a matter of fact...Go pick up the current HONDA TUNING magazine. They are building a Draggin' Waggin' :lol: I think it is pretty neat!!! I think they decided on a d16z6 motor (92-95 Civic), but I can't remember.

close. they are putting in a d16y8 sohc vtec. :D

There is a group on another board that is dedicated to civic wagons
These guys have some really tight wagons. If you wanna hook your wagon up check it. Frank

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/hondacivicwagons/

the wagon diff. is only good for about 130 hp before it blows up, if swapping, you should take this into careful consideration

close. they are putting in a d16y8 sohc vtec. :D

Nice..thanks for the correction dude...I picked it up and double checked myself.

The motor in your wagon is a d16a6 then...at 108HP. The smoke after braking downhill is probably valve seals, and when the engine has the timing retarded when your foot is off the gas there isn't much action in the cylinder, so the oil drips down and then it probably smokes when you step on the gas afterwards...

Also, just to help keep your options open, Ami (LadynRedSi) on this board I think swapped in a d16y8 motor, but kept her d16a6 intake manifold to avoid all the newer emissions & wiring junk (OBD-2)...so you have lots of options if this motor gives out on you, and since you already have the d16a6 and MPFI, you will have less work to do to get it all running:thumbsup: - unlike us DX/LX/STD d15 peeps with DPFI :thumbsdow

Now hurry up with those pics yo!! :grinyes: :grinyes: