Honda Car Forum

In article <vhc8efmbdi6bf6@corp.supernews.com>, "Tim Channel" <channel@logicsouth.com> wrote:
>I'm stumped......I have a 1987 Civic Si hatchback that just started
>misbehaving when starting cold. This is what happens:
>
>Turn key to ignition position
>All the appropriate lights on the dash show, oil, pgm-fi, brake...
>Turn key to start position
>Engine spins but hits on cylinders sporadically
>Engine makes a snapping noise every rotation
>Engine backfires through throttle body
>Engine eventually picks up on enough cylinders to keep itself running
>Engine eventually starts hitting on all cylinders and evens out.
>This only happens when I start the engine stone cold.
>The engine fires right up when warm.
>
>I have swapped computers (I have a spare), checked timing, spark plugs,
>wires, O2 sensor, crank angle sensor, thermowax sensor....no luck...any
>ideas? This is driving me nuts and I refuse to take the car in to a
>mechanic.
>
>Help me out guys.
>
>Tim

You need 2 things for a car to start, gas and spark, I'd
check the distributor cap for moisture in the morning, it might
be cracked.

Uncle Mike wrote:
> In article <vhc8efmbdi6bf6@corp.supernews.com>, "Tim Channel" <channel@logicsouth.com> wrote:
>
>>I'm stumped......I have a 1987 Civic Si hatchback that just started
>>misbehaving when starting cold. This is what happens:
>>
>>Turn key to ignition position
>>All the appropriate lights on the dash show, oil, pgm-fi, brake...
>>Turn key to start position
>>Engine spins but hits on cylinders sporadically
>>Engine makes a snapping noise every rotation
>>Engine backfires through throttle body
>>Engine eventually picks up on enough cylinders to keep itself running
>>Engine eventually starts hitting on all cylinders and evens out.
>>This only happens when I start the engine stone cold.
>>The engine fires right up when warm.
>>
>>I have swapped computers (I have a spare), checked timing, spark plugs,
>>wires, O2 sensor, crank angle sensor, thermowax sensor....no luck...any
>>ideas? This is driving me nuts and I refuse to take the car in to a
>>mechanic.
>>
>>Help me out guys.
>>
>>Tim
>
>
> You need 2 things for a car to start, gas and spark, I'd
> check the distributor cap for moisture in the morning, it might
> be cracked.

Have you tried putting the correct oil in your cars engine?

I changed out the entire distributor with a used one I have including the
cap....no luck. I'm starting to think I have a fuel problem. The fuel
delivery is very weak compared to what the manual is saying I should get.
I'm going to change out the filter, check the fuel lines, and pressure
regulator tomorrow and then on to the fuel pump if all else fails.


"G.D. Bryant" <ivtec@xtra.co.nz> wrote in message
news:X58Sa.85670$JA5.1759891@news.xtra.co.nz...
> Uncle Mike wrote:
> > In article <vhc8efmbdi6bf6@corp.supernews.com>, "Tim Channel"
<channel@logicsouth.com> wrote:
> >
> >>I'm stumped......I have a 1987 Civic Si hatchback that just started
> >>misbehaving when starting cold. This is what happens:
> >>
> >>Turn key to ignition position
> >>All the appropriate lights on the dash show, oil, pgm-fi, brake...
> >>Turn key to start position
> >>Engine spins but hits on cylinders sporadically
> >>Engine makes a snapping noise every rotation
> >>Engine backfires through throttle body
> >>Engine eventually picks up on enough cylinders to keep itself running
> >>Engine eventually starts hitting on all cylinders and evens out.
> >>This only happens when I start the engine stone cold.
> >>The engine fires right up when warm.
> >>
> >>I have swapped computers (I have a spare), checked timing, spark plugs,
> >>wires, O2 sensor, crank angle sensor, thermowax sensor....no luck...any
> >>ideas? This is driving me nuts and I refuse to take the car in to a
> >>mechanic.
> >>
> >>Help me out guys.
> >>
> >>Tim
> >
> >
> > You need 2 things for a car to start, gas and spark, I'd
> > check the distributor cap for moisture in the morning, it might
> > be cracked.
>
> Have you tried putting the correct oil in your cars engine?
>

I'm pretty sure oil weight isn't the problem.

Tim


"G.D. Bryant" <ivtec@xtra.co.nz> wrote in message
news:X58Sa.85670$JA5.1759891@news.xtra.co.nz...
> Uncle Mike wrote:
> > In article <vhc8efmbdi6bf6@corp.supernews.com>, "Tim Channel"
<channel@logicsouth.com> wrote:
> >
> >>I'm stumped......I have a 1987 Civic Si hatchback that just started
> >>misbehaving when starting cold. This is what happens:
> >>
> >>Turn key to ignition position
> >>All the appropriate lights on the dash show, oil, pgm-fi, brake...
> >>Turn key to start position
> >>Engine spins but hits on cylinders sporadically
> >>Engine makes a snapping noise every rotation
> >>Engine backfires through throttle body
> >>Engine eventually picks up on enough cylinders to keep itself running
> >>Engine eventually starts hitting on all cylinders and evens out.
> >>This only happens when I start the engine stone cold.
> >>The engine fires right up when warm.
> >>
> >>I have swapped computers (I have a spare), checked timing, spark plugs,
> >>wires, O2 sensor, crank angle sensor, thermowax sensor....no luck...any
> >>ideas? This is driving me nuts and I refuse to take the car in to a
> >>mechanic.
> >>
> >>Help me out guys.
> >>
> >>Tim
> >
> >
> > You need 2 things for a car to start, gas and spark, I'd
> > check the distributor cap for moisture in the morning, it might
> > be cracked.
>
> Have you tried putting the correct oil in your cars engine?
>