Engine and electrical questions

[justblackwell]

I have an 86 CRX HF. I need to know how hard it is to replace the valve seals, and also, why does the engine lug down and try to die whenever I turn the headlights on? The engine will only idle smoothly at around 1000 rpm's. Whenever I turn on the lights, it drops to almost nothing. All of the lights and blinkers work. Could this be an alternator problem? Also, where can I get a reman carb at? Any help is appreciated.

[aquarius]

your alternaitor would be a good thing to check and you can get that done at any major auto part store.

[lxndr]

The valve stem seals are the first parts to go into the head while assembling. You'll need to take the whole head apart in order to get to them. You could also use compressed air to hold the valves in place without removing the cylinder head, but this method is a PITA! If your motor is at the age where it needs the valve seals replaced, you should also look into rebuilding the whole head while you're at it. But once you do this the restored copmression will probably blow the piston rings so you'll be looking into a complete motor rebuild (this happened to me). I'd just drive it like this until it dies. Besides if it's just bad valve seals, your motor will only blow smoke when you first start it and very faintly as you drive. If you've got huge billows of smoke, you've got bigger problems.

[justblackwell]

Interesting. I drove it to work last night and noticed that the electrical problem got worse with the blower motor going. I was leaning toward the alternator also. On the smoking issue, this sumbitch smokes like a freight train for about 15 or 20 minutes when I first start it in the morning. But once it gets warm it doesn't smoke at all. Also, if it needs a complete rebuild, what engines could I upgrade to so that i could have fuel injection. I need all the help I can get, because this is my first honda, and I don't know shit about them. Thanks, fellas.

[justblackwell]

Alternator checks out fine, but when I check the voltage at the battery with the car running, I get no reading. What is between the alternator and the battery. Also, my ecu is showing no lights at all. How do i put it in diagnostic mode.

[lxndr]

The only thing between the battery and the alternator is a fuse located in the main fuse box on the passenger sice strut tower.

If the ECU is not flashing any codes then there are no problems with the systems it controls. There is no diagnostic mode for the ECU (remember it's a 20 year old computer), if the PGM-FI light in the dash is not on there is nothing to check other than the light bulb behind the "PGM-FI" light.