- Tue Jun 24, 2014 8:30 pm
#346711
So for background info I posted this thread in 2008 and haven't worked in safety/emissions in over 4 years. Honestly, when I have an emissions problem I'll often reference this thread, as I often reference some of my other threads on other sites for other info and of course my own damn website
I never imagined I would still be messing with Hondas and answering questions on forums 6 years later (got into the game in 2002 actually) but I just bought another VX winter 2013 and this is a great little community so here goes:
EVERYONE IN THIS THREAD SHOULD READ THIS
These cars are all over 20 years old and in the hundreds of thousands of miles. A simple tune up (oil, spark plugs, rotor, cap, PCV, check wires, ignition timing, fuel filter, check O2 sensor, check idle speed) just doesn't cut it anymore. If you haven't even gotten this far, put away your smart phone and come back when you have.
(On your VX make sure you have the right spark plugs in there and only use NGK or dealer plugs. Most VXs have the wrong ones since the application is often incorrect and most parts stores stopped carrying the correct plugs (try amazon).)
After the basics, you still need to do some reconditioning before you can even get a baseline for diagnosis.
All VX's and most other models need the intake manifold removed and thoroughly cleaned, especially around the EGR ports. Remove the MAP sensor as it is sensitive to cleaners and solvents. You'll need a new throttle body gasket and intake manifold gasket and you can't count on the bigger auto parts chain stores having them anymore. Oven cleaner works reasonably well for cleaning baked on gunk, but it will still require a lot of soaking and brushing. Aircraft remover helps get the old gasket off along with a razorblade scraper and a fine grit sand paper on a die grinder. Also clean the head ports and injector holes a bit but don't get a bunch of gunk into the cylinders and don't spray too much throttle body cleaner in there or you'll have a fun time drying it out so it can start again. While you have the manifold off, pull the breather box off, clean it out and replace the O ring to the block. You'll need the exact right size O ring.
All EGs need fuel injector service. I like Injector Rehab. VXs and CXs have smaller injectors than all other D and B series (which are all 240CC) so keep this in mind if you plan to send junkyard injectors in to minimize downtime.
All EGs need valve adjustments (see my other thread). You will find that each valve is inconsistent with the next and that the intake side is often too tight and the exhaust side too loose. This is wasted power potential, wasted gas, preventable emissions, premature death for your O2 sensor and cat converter, and it's hard on your engine because some cylinders are running rich and others lean.
Put 1/3rd can of Seafoam in the fuel tank, oil, and suck the other 1/3rd in the brake hose. Before you do the latter, remove your O2 sensor and put a spark plug in it's place to plug the hole. PS, have fun getting that O2 sensor out w/out stripping it. Get yourself an O2 sensor wrench (not socket) and a thread chaser.
Now get your car tested, note which gas failed and refer to page one. Honestly I would be VERY surprised if you failed after this and if you did, there's not a whole lot else you can do. All you're left with is an intermittent fault ie coil, ignitor or the piston rings are shot and you need an engine swap
