Honda Car Forum

I own a 93 civic lx that just rolled 200k miles. while i was driving
on the interstate i felt my car hesitating and having trouble shifting
around 30-40 mph. of course the engine light came on and it later
read as a code 4 which is the crank angle sensor. i did all the tests
it called for and everything checked out as it was supposed to. any
ideas as to what the heck is going on? thanks for all your help..

Ricky

rickylowary@gmail.com wrote:
> I own a 93 civic lx that just rolled 200k miles. while i was driving
> on the interstate i felt my car hesitating and having trouble shifting
> around 30-40 mph. of course the engine light came on and it later
> read as a code 4 which is the crank angle sensor. i did all the tests
> it called for and everything checked out as it was supposed to. any
> ideas as to what the heck is going on? thanks for all your help..
>
> Ricky

check all the connections, re-set the code and see if it happens again.
also, it's probably best to check the distributor to see if the shaft
bearing is shot. if so, it'll mince the sensor.

> check all the connections, re-set the code and see if it happens again.
> also, it's probably best to check the distributor to see if the shaft
> bearing is shot. if so, it'll mince the sensor.

ok i will do that later tonight. what exactly will the shaft bearing
look like? I have my repair manual with me, is there another name for
it or can you tell me what it will be by? what happens if the shaft
bearing is shot, do i need a whole new distributor? thanks for your
help.

rickylowary@gmail.com wrote:
>> check all the connections, re-set the code and see if it happens again.
>> also, it's probably best to check the distributor to see if the shaft
>> bearing is shot. if so, it'll mince the sensor.
>
> ok i will do that later tonight. what exactly will the shaft bearing
> look like? I have my repair manual with me, is there another name for
> it or can you tell me what it will be by? what happens if the shaft
> bearing is shot, do i need a whole new distributor? thanks for your
> help.

=====================

You're looking for powdery red dust inside the whole cap. It makes a
noise too and if it gets bad enough your timing belt can start jumping /
removing teeth. Google it or look in tegger.com.

'Curly'

rickylowary@gmail.com wrote:
>> check all the connections, re-set the code and see if it happens again.
>> also, it's probably best to check the distributor to see if the shaft
>> bearing is shot. if so, it'll mince the sensor.
>
> ok i will do that later tonight. what exactly will the shaft bearing
> look like? I have my repair manual with me, is there another name for
> it or can you tell me what it will be by? what happens if the shaft
> bearing is shot, do i need a whole new distributor? thanks for your
> help.

if it's shot, you'll be able to waggle the shaft from side to side.
it's the thing the rotor arm is fixed to.

yes, the fix is a new distributor. theoretically, you can replace the
bearing but it's non-standard, hard to get, and on distributor
reassembly, you're supposed to recalibrate the sensor positions relative
to the shaft - simply not worth the effort.

ok guys i will check it out. thanks for your help and i will let you
know what i find.

ricky

well i started the car today and it was very puttery/jumpy. i popped
the hood and i could hear a tiny clicking sound coming from the
distributor. is that a tell tale sign that i need a new one? another
problem i found, which i have been trying to tackle for months, is an
oil leak. thought it was the o ring(so i replaced it), then it looked
like the valve cover gasket(so i replaced it) and now it looks to be
coming from the rocker arm assembly...any thoughts on this one?

thanks again
Ricky

rickylowary@gmail.com wrote:
> well i started the car today and it was very puttery/jumpy. i popped
> the hood and i could hear a tiny clicking sound coming from the
> distributor.

that could be sensor, but just as likely just the normal sparking that
happens inside.

> is that a tell tale sign that i need a new one? another
> problem i found, which i have been trying to tackle for months, is an
> oil leak. thought it was the o ring(so i replaced it), then it looked
> like the valve cover gasket(so i replaced it) and now it looks to be
> coming from the rocker arm assembly...any thoughts on this one?
>
> thanks again
> Ricky

you need the proper sealant on the corners of the gasket where it goes
around the cam bearing.

but again, check the distributor - there's a seal inside and they tend
to go after a while.

i encourage you also to look into the brand of oil you're using. some
doesn't have good seal conditioner, and seals can leak prolifically -
motorcraft "semi-synthetic" being one example. others, castrol for
example, pretty much arrest all leaking(*), and not a seal to be
changed. check the pcv valve for blockage though.


* google this group for a write-up on my experience with this.

yea i hear what you are saying about the oil, I am using high mileage
oil right now(if I could only just keep it from leaking out!) i have
a question about that leak...it seems that the pinpoint location of
the leak is coming from camshaft holder number 5, which is the part
that the distributor bolts to on the top. it leaks from what seems to
be where it mates with the head..is there a seal under there i can
replace or do i have to replace the entire holder..if so, does this
require a new head gasket installation? as far as these and the
distributor, i have found a salvage yard just south of tallahassee
that is having 50% off all parts this weekend...you bet im gonna be
there!!

thanks again
Ricky

rickylowary@gmail.com wrote:
> yea i hear what you are saying about the oil, I am using high mileage
> oil right now(if I could only just keep it from leaking out!) i have
> a question about that leak...it seems that the pinpoint location of
> the leak is coming from camshaft holder number 5, which is the part
> that the distributor bolts to on the top. it leaks from what seems to
> be where it mates with the head..is there a seal under there i can
> replace or do i have to replace the entire holder..if so, does this
> require a new head gasket installation? as far as these and the
> distributor, i have found a salvage yard just south of tallahassee
> that is having 50% off all parts this weekend...you bet im gonna be
> there!!
>
> thanks again
> Ricky

you probably need to seal in the corners of the new cover gasket. use
non-setting permatex, /NOT/ silicone. clean any old sealant out first.

after that, it's distributor o-ring or distributor shaft seal. the
o-ring should be a fairly snug fit and need lube before it slides in -
if you have the right size.