09-30-2014, 05:17 PM
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#11 (permalink)
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Master EcoWalker
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
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Spark plugs. Spark plugs? Spark plugs.
When I bought my old new to me Nissan Almera I first had a test drive and it did well.
When I took it home it was awful. It lurched and held back and was impossible to hold steady.
So I took it back to the dealership and let them investigate.
Turns out they had cleaned the engine block with a high pressure hose, then removed all the electric leads, dried them and put them back where they belonged.
One or two of the spark plugs remained wet and shorted...
I had loose spark plugs on at least two of my bikes. Improper gap width. Lead bridge, charred over, oiled over.
If I suspect a misfiring issue now I pull the spark plugs one by one and check if they look clean and do spark when properly grounded.
Judging the state of the engine by reading the spark plugs solved about half the issues I've had over time.
__________________
2011 Honda Insight + HID, LEDs, tiny PV panel, extra brake pad return springs, neutral wheel alignment, 44/42 PSI (air), PHEV light (inop), tightened wheel nut.
  lifetime FE over 0.2 Gmeter or 0.13 Mmile.
For confirmation go to people just like you.
For education go to people unlike yourself.
Last edited by RedDevil; 10-01-2014 at 02:45 PM..
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09-30-2014, 06:13 PM
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#12 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Dallas
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Welcome! Any pictures of the car?
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10-01-2014, 01:21 AM
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#13 (permalink)
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5 pin sensor
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Dallas
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When I changed the plugs on my civic they were twice the gap recommended by Honda, which caused them not to fire correctly. Get the maintenance taken care of and the car will last long after your ready for a new one lol
Don't be too worried about spending big bucks on instrumentation, adjust your tire pressure to max sidewall pressure and you should start seeing a drastic mileage improvement.
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Current: 1997 civic lx
Past: 1998hx/1996hx/1997lx/1997hx Cali/1997hx
OG lean burn member
My civic thread
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10-01-2014, 09:30 AM
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#14 (permalink)
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Hypermiler
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Texas
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Good idea about the spark plugs. That's about the easiest thing to change on these Civics. Right up on top, easy access. They're probably old if you don't know the history, and it's a cheap and easy job.
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11-mile commute: 100 mpg - - - Tank: 90.2 mpg / 1191 miles
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10-01-2014, 09:41 AM
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#15 (permalink)
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Rat Racer
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Route 16
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Replace them with OE plugs. Not what the parts store has on hand that will fit, not what got slapped in sometime over the car's last 15 years, but the actual NGK (or whatever) part number that your car left the factory with.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sheepdog44
Transmission type Efficiency
Manual neutral engine off.100% @∞MPG <----- Fun Fact.
Manual 1:1 gear ratio .......98%
CVT belt ............................88%
Automatic .........................86%
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10-06-2014, 01:18 AM
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#16 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: wa state
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Good news! I finally got around to fixing the new rig. So i took the distributor cap off and and the inside of the cap was a disaster... the rotor was corroded pretty bad too. I replaced the cap but since the rotor screw was seized I couldn't get it off without stripping the screw so I just brushed it clear of corrosion. So far no problems!
So I have new plugs/wires air/fuel filter, battery, cap, I ran a fuel system cleaner, checked compression (150 across all cylinders) and cleaned the engine bay. I'm ready to go guys.. thanks for your suggestions and help. I'm going to inflate my tires a bit more next.
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The Following User Says Thank You to bro_montana For This Useful Post:
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10-06-2014, 01:18 AM
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#17 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: wa state
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about to post pics
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10-06-2014, 01:19 AM
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#18 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: wa state
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pictures added!
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10-06-2014, 02:24 AM
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#19 (permalink)
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Cyborg ECU
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Coastal Southern California
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Love this car. Subscribed. Mine and yours are virtually identical as to engine specs. I've posted many (too many?) Details on my mods on my garage page and in my modding thread linked in my signature below.
Welcome and good luck!
James
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See my car's mod & maintenance thread and my electric bicycle's thread for ongoing projects. I will rebuild Black and Green over decades as parts die, until it becomes a different car of roughly the same shape and color. My minimum fuel economy goal is 55 mpg while averaging posted speed limits. I generally top 60 mpg. See also my Honda manual transmission specs thread.
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10-06-2014, 12:09 PM
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#20 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: wa state
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Quote:
Originally Posted by California98Civic
Love this car. Subscribed. Mine and yours are virtually identical as to engine specs. I've posted many (too many?) Details on my mods on my garage page and in my modding thread linked in my signature below.
Welcome and good luck!
James
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Thanks. I just peeked at your mod thread... wow you weren't kidding. Basically i'm in the hunt for similar spec'd cars so I can get some good ideas for future mods... i'll be checking yours out in depth. PS do you know how much stock lx steel wheels weigh?
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