FIRE makes it way out of my intake manifold!!!

[moaltar]

First off, I'm slowly building my 89 CRX Si (with DOHC ZC) for a little autocross, so it mostly sits in the parking lot because I have another daily driver.

The problem I am having is that the engine usually will not start until after the second or sometimes third try. Then right after it fires up, if I dont give it gas and keep it reved up, it will die. When I am able to get it to idle on its on, the engine will misfire and I have even noticed a puff of fire come out of the intake manifold when I have the air intake off ! If I open the throttle with my hand or the gas pedal, the revs drop and the engine loses power. It also doesnt idle very well. It always seems like it wants to die.



I looked down the cylinders with the plugs out and I dont see any oil or gas sitting in the cylinders, although it really sounds (and smells!) like its running rich.

I dont know if this has anything to do with it, but one day I decided to run 91 octane in it (I usually run 87).


Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[FrodoGT]

Check your cam timing. and then your distributor timing.

[Greenblurr93]

i 2nd the timing issue idea

[FrodoGT]

If it wasnt running at all id say check your firing order on the plug wires.. mine was shooting fire out the intake and the header when I had mine back asswards.

[moaltar]

I will try and adjust the timing when I get home. I figuered that may be the issue, but I wasnt sure. I checked the wires yesterday, so I'm good on that.

I remember having my distributor pushed all the way back towards the firewall when I put the engine in, so I either have the timing way too advanced or retarded.

I will try that when I get home, thanks for the info guys.

I will let you know how it turns out

[Christ]

When you adjust your ignition timing, you have to insert a jumper in your wiring harness, it's a white or yellow 2-pin plug w/ a rubber cap on it... it'll either be on the D-side right in front of the strut tower, or P-side behind the kick panel inside the car.

If you don't do this, you'll never get the timing right, as every time you move the dizzy, it will jump the timing up and down until it's been "corrected" by the ECU... and it will continue to happen until you jumper that wire... and even if you DO happen to get it set right, as soon as you shut the car off and start it again, it will be fscked up again.

[Christ]

by the way, if it's not your wires, it's either valve timing or ignition timing... those are the only two reasons, other than bent/broken intake valves.

[FrodoGT]

Sounds like you have the timing way too advanced. Its firing before the valves even close. Causing the burst to escape out your intake. But it could be the cam timing too..just not closing the valves at the right time. Like he said, the jumper is either in the engine bay. Or near the ecu on the passenger side under the glove compartment area. Jump that with a paper clip, then tun the car on and try to time it with a light. AFTER checking the cams

[moaltar]

I forgot about the jumper wire! I didnt know that was a critical thing to do! No wonder it didnt make any difference!

On my way home I will get a timing light and try it again. The jumper on my car is under the hood and the driver side. I adjusted the timing before, I just didnt know that jumper was important until now.

How do I check the cam timing? I dont need to pull anything apart do I? Also, has the 91 octane somehow got my timing all screwed up? When I first did the timing a while back, I was running 87 octane. I know 91 octane is for higher compression engines, but I also know it burns slower (for complete combustion), so can this also affect my timing?

[FrodoGT]

Nope. just run regular stuff.. Premium isnt helping you. But it wont hurt either.

[moaltar]

How do I go about adjusting the cam timing?

[Greenblurr93]

put the motor at TDC then look at the cams and make sure they are lined up.. if not, take the t belt off and move them

[moaltar]

Ok, thanks of the info. I will give that a try frirst, then I will adjust the timing from the distributor.

[Christ]

On the ZC motor, there are lineup holes on the cams themselves... take the valve cover off, look at the first cam bearing cap, and see the hole in it... stick a 4.5mm allen wrench or something round and 5mm dia., both cams, and spin until the allen wrench falls in all the way... they're at TDC when you can't spin the cams anymore, after that, check the crank to make sure it's straight up at TDC, and put the timing belt back on... bam, you're set up correctly.

[moaltar]

Man, I have to take the timing belt off

I really hope this works. The car never really drives any where, so I'm kind of confused on how the timing got screwed up in the first place . I mean, it was fine a week ago (although it always had an issue starting on the first try).

I guess my 20 year old car needs to be driven, or it gets mad and me and stops working!