Bad Idle......

HI guys, I'm hoping that someone can help me with my problem. I've got an '85 crx and I'm having poor idle/ engine problems. It started a few weeks ago when it wouldn't stay running in damp weather, then a few days later after driving it for a while I noticed that the front exhaust pipe was glowing red in one area. Now it idles poorly.....like around 100 rpms. just enough to keep the car running. So far I've changed the fuel filter, and was told to switch the 1 and 2 plug wires rev it a few times.....and that should clean out the carburator... so far nothing. I know that my heater core is plugged and needs to be flushed. Any ideas on where I should start? All my vacuum hoses look good and the fuel pump is working fine. That brings me to think that it a carburator problem. Any ideas? Thanks guys (and gals)!

HI guys, I'm hoping that someone can help me with my problem. I've got an '85 crx and I'm having poor idle/ engine problems. It started a few weeks ago when it wouldn't stay running in damp weather, then a few days later after driving it for a while I noticed that the front exhaust pipe was glowing red in one area. Now it idles poorly.....like around 100 rpms. just enough to keep the car running. So far I've changed the fuel filter, and was told to switch the 1 and 2 plug wires rev it a few times.....and that should clean out the carburator... so far nothing. I know that my heater core is plugged and needs to be flushed. Any ideas on where I should start? All my vacuum hoses look good and the fuel pump is working fine. That brings me to think that it a carburator problem. Any ideas? Thanks guys (and gals)!

I should add that I checked out the spark plugs and they are fine and gapped properly, also the exhaust is blowing good to so its not a clogged converter or anything..thanks

is there enough coolant? with these engines low coolant will set things out of wack but alerting a sensor of some sort, i have an 83 so it's a lot different than mine is so i cant really help u much more

I noticed that when i drove a forgine car that a bad idle was due to a new distributor cap and spark plugs. I noticed that when it rained and the dist. got wet, that is when the car eaither A. couldnt keep and Idle
or B. wouldnt start. but once the car had a major tune up done to it. the problem was sloved.

if you guys have any other questions please email me @ [email protected]


I only have knowledge in things that have happend to me. or from talking to a mechcanic.

but I would like to talk and learn about anything anyone has to offer.
I have an 86 civic Si ... that has a smoke problem only when the car starts. I am guessing and ppl have told me that that could be a problem of the pistions, rings, or valves. basically im looking at rebuilding the engine.

let me add to that. the smoke of mine is white and comes out of the exaust. I know sounds like alot of work needs to go into it, and money, but what can i do, I cant afford to buy a new or a newer used car at the moment... so im stuck. My husband isnt into cars, as for me i love to work on them. The only problem I have is trusting a mechcanic, so far so good. thank god i used to work or an auto part store. that helps me alot. with getting to know mechcanics.


anyhow hope your problem gets sloved Randy

if you have lots of white smoke it is probably a blown head gasket, take off the oil filler car and look at the bottom side of it and inside the valve cover, if it is grey and foamy you are getting coolant in your oil which would mean a bad gasket

thanks for your reply .... as for the head..that's a tricky one. i know you can crack the head in more than one spot on the manifold, the car dose not shake at all. when my head crack on my CRX there was thick smoke under the hood. and it shook really hard. If it is a crack head it would just be wise for me to rebult the engine.. Althought i will see what it cost to have that gasket looked at. that is a very good comment that you made! i would learn how to check it myself if i had the tools!

but thank you for your time. anything that i fix on my car, i will post to you guys and let you know the out come!


thanks so much!

oh yeah as for the smoke i get now.. it is just one puff that comes out when i start the car,


thank you!

in my first post .. i ment that as having a BAD distributor, not a new one :) SORRY!

about the idle... have you checked your distributer cap. the cap on crx had a crack and it would have trouble starting and idling whenever i washed it or it rained. i changed the cap and rotor and ran great. hope it helps.

thanks ccvc... *sighs* it will cost me 650.00 to replace the dam gasket. if that is what is needed.
should i just rebuilt the engine?

getting the engine rebuilt will just cost you even more, if the rest of it works fine (not burning/dripping oil etc.) just replace the head gasket. your car running hot may be a result of a leaky gasket, you slowly lose coolant and end up getting a small air pocket by the water pump and it won't work properly till it's full again so that is something you should keep an eye on. i would wait till the gasket actually goes, you can go quite a while on a small leak (i went something like 3000 miles on mine) and then if you are confident enough do the job yourself, it is a relatively big job but if you pace yourself you can get it done with little frustration. (the first time i did it i spent a week on it and that was with no prior engine work, the second time it did it on a saturday afternoon) i can give you some pointers on things to watch out for so you won't do it twice like i did ;) yours will be a little different than mine because the early motors have a different head design that complicates things but it's basically the same process.

it would be best to buy the cars repair manual and do the job your self...take your time and if you work far from your home...leave extra early and enjoy a pleasent walk or bike ride....cause this isint a 30 minute job....

:( sad news guys, it does leak a bit of oil, although I cant tell where it is comming from. But i there is a place in Los Angeles that will rebuild the engine for 750.00
gosh this sucks! but i thank you all so much, and yeah since i have had the car, we have put on about 4000 miles :( im not sure when Im going to get enough cash to fix this, but when I do I will tell you guys the outcome.

until then I am always open to listening to you guys!
and thanks so much for your input,,, it helps!

........:disappoin...... you would be better off buying a used motor for 1/2 of taht price....(and with low millege) but .....i have faith in you and know that your out come will be a good one....GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!aand after the out come you can celebrate with your soul mate and drink a coupple of beers!!!! bottoms up!!!

:cheers:

aww thanks!!!

youre welcome!!!!!!:biggrin:
just trying to help....even if i cant help any body out technicly.....i can help out with the moral support.......:bananasmi


so when ever you need :1zhelp:...............
and your mechanic says 500$ or more for a $hitty
job................kick his @$$!!!!!!!!!!!!!:chair:

hahahh thanks for the support!!!! your sweet!

no swet!!!!!
:naughty: