Re-occuring Problem got worse!!

[adaly86]

Hey all, some of you may know I had a problem not so long ago with my civic cutting out but well it was fine for about 4 weeks and now its back, worse. Please read it all, I hope i havnt left anything out.
If you can help in anyway please do.....

I have a '91 Civic 1.3DX Carb, 128,000 miles

The car had originally been going fine for about 8 weeks of everyday 1hr long journeys, in traffic and on motorway, approx 20 miles each way from college. One morning it kept cutting out untill battery was dead
Brought to garage...Altenator fine, cooling fine, they replaced distributer cap and rotor, did full service, changed plugs, it took about 4 visits for them to figure out what was happening. 2 weeks later same thing again except now just not in traffic, was cutting out all the time i tried to change gear.
They brought up the idle to compensate this and it was working fine for about 4 weeks, today it was fine going up but on the way back it started to get sluggish and then kept cutting out when I had to change gear i.e. when clutch was in and no revs.
Got to my dads office and the car was at normal temp but just cutting out, battery is strong and kept cranking it. After about 1hr i came out of the office. The car was now cold and i tryed starting it but no responce with choke or accelerator. left the choke off and tried starting it a few min later, was reluctant be did start. Then about 5 min later, cut out and the battery was dead, tryed it a few seconds later and it started first time but still cutting out without accelerator. Got engine was normal.
Just after bringing it out again to see if it could have been dirty petrol but it is still cutting out, with and without choke. Revved it a good bit which would normally work but no effect this time.
Got home and quite a strong smell of petrol and a burning kind of smell.

The battery leads are fine, enough oil, radiator is full with water, and everything seems ok. What could it be, im thinking the altenator but the garage said it was ok about 4 weeks ago and the battery is also strong enough to keep cranking for about 8 times.
Anyone know what the story is with my car??? HELP? Have to get to college tomorrow somehow

[KrisSmithRocks]

i would check you spark advance, if you have vacuum advance you may have a vacuum leak which is causing the spark to be too far advanced, If that is fine i would check you timing on the timing belt because it kind of sounds like your timing might be off, I'm not real sure about the deal with the battery if your charging system is opperating ok because it operates independantly of the ignition system. hope this might help, it's just some ideas about stuff to check

[V-K]

They replaced the distributer cap and rotor, but did they check the distribution coil? Check and see if you're getting any spark.

[KrisSmithRocks]

^ that's another good idea

[V-K]

I've got one good (used) idea a year. See you all in 2006. :P

[Leesmack]

i have a 1990 honda civc hb 4 speed manual. 184,000 miles on it. my car has been cutting out for last few weeks like it has not been getting gas for a s plit second or two. it does it in 2,3,4 gears or when im like getting on it(which i dont too much, all stock still). i put feul injector cleaner and HEET in it and it still does it so i dont know if it is a gas problem. anyone have any clue??

[dmbrisket 51]

heet is shit, use the more expencive stuff that they place right next to the heet, its much better, if you want really good stuff buy something called Sea Foam, i get it at advanced auto, and its in a white can, its like carb and choke cleaner but not as strong, its great in crank cases for sticky lifters, gas tank as lube for injectors and an injector cleaner, and transmission for slippage (on an automatic of corse)

[KrisSmithRocks]

If it does it at Wide Open Throttle i would guess that it's the TPS cause i've had that cause a similar problem before when you floor it. If you let off just a bit it pulls just fine if that's the problem.

[Leesmack]

TPS??

im not too big on car parts or talk!!

[KrisSmithRocks]

throttle position sensor, it's located on the back of the throttle body.

[adaly86]

I got fed up with the car cutting out so brought it to the garage they figure its just that the whole Carb is worn and what ever controls the mixture its not stayiing in the right position and gradually moves. The guy adjusted the mixture up for nothing because they were all in a happy mood for getting a new S2000 in. They quoted €690 for a new carb and they also gave me a number for the only main people in dublin still overhauling carbs, they quoted €250, and aparently its some Weber Conversion kit aswell? thats when he lost me. But i cant complain they gave me a courtesy 04 Honda Civic R,

[V-K]

And the DX never felt the same...