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My 88 Honda Civic runs rough, especially when coming to a stop, the engine block itself shakes when I have it in drive or reverse, but is normal and skake-free in park and neutral. And yesterday it got so bad the car died at a stop, but started right back up no problem. Also, I have been noticing a lot of water coming out the exhaust during start ups, seems more than usual.
Does this sound like a head gasket issue?
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Coolant levels seem to be fine, but there is a hose that lately seems to be leaking a little. I know that water is normal out the tailpipe, but should I be concerned if there is more than usual? And it does idle okay. I can smell a hint of gasoline when I sniff inside when I take the oil cap off.
If the car is shaking/stalling vacuum leaks or misfires.
have you done a tune up as of late? If coolant is leaking
it can effect idle and create idle surge. But you don’t have
idle surge.so lets back burner that for now.Here’s the hose with leakage. Within the past month I replaced spark plugs, but there is wet oil on the electrode end, I know it’s because I need to replace the o-rings on bottomside of plug wells.
For the vacuum leak, can I spray WD-40 instead of carb cleaner?
no wd-40 either carb or brake clean.You can use a spray bottle
filled with water for the same procedure. If the spark plug ends
have oil on them.I would suggest thats your misfire.If you think you have a head gasket issue. I bought one of these a couple years back and have used it a handful of times now. It’s nice to have in the garage for those times when you think you might have a blown head gasket and is a good starting point. http://www.amazon.com/UVIEW-560000-Combustion-Leak-Tester/dp/B000NPDL76/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1365103354&sr=8-3&keywords=block+tester or http://www.tooltopia.com/uview-560000.aspx. For some reason the one on amazon the picture wasn’t working but has reviews. I like the double chambers to prevent contamination and get better results but lisle makes one also for less money, http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-75500-Combustion-Leak-Detector/dp/B0007ZDRUI/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1365104251&sr=1-2&keywords=block+tester. For 30 bucks it’s worth it to have around to test whenever you think you may have a blown head gasket issue. To me you can never have enough diagnostic tools. But I’m still leaning towards vacuum leak.
I def. need to get me a block tester, is it normal to smell gasoline when I take oil cap off?
Also, when I remove head bolts, and then re-torque them, is it a must to buy new head bolts?[quote=”cosborne” post=55484]I def. need to get me a block tester, is it normal to smell gasoline when I take oil cap off?
Also, when I remove head bolts, and then re-torque them, is it a must to buy new head bolts?[/quote]Lots of videos on youtube on block testers or combustion leak testers.
I’m not sure about an 88 civic but if the bolts are torque to yeild bolts then yes they must be replaced. I would suggest getting a factory repair manual. Can usually find used books or CD on ebay fairly cheap.
Now my car doesn’t allow me to get back 60mph easily. As I am accelerating past 60 the engine knocks back and fourth and if I try and push it to the floor nothing happens. It doesn’t take off, its like it’s dead at 60 until I let off pedal. Any ideas? I’m stumped!
It sounds like the engine is beginning to lose compression. Follow the videos on wet & dry compression testing and leak down testing to get an idea of what was wrong. I had a car that overheated a few years back due to a bad water pump and that caused a head gasket leak and lowered compression.
I think the info in this article I wrote will give you something to go on.
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