Black Mamba modding and repair thread (1997 Civic HX 5-speed) - Page 6 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Baltothewolf · 07-21-2014, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97-civic-ex

Torco MTF is what most trans experts on d-series.org recommend. They say honda MTF is not that good.

Eh, I already bought 2 quarts of the Honda stuff, so I'm just gonna use that for now. I'll change it in 30k miles if I really don't like it.

Baltothewolf · 07-22-2014, 05:11 AM

So I went and filled up tonight, 250 miles on the dot and 6.446 gallons used, for a total of 38.7MPG. I don't know how the hell I got such low mpg, but whatever. I think there is a problem somewhere, I'm gonna do a compression test sometime this week.

[Edit]: I'm filling up at the same pump, and I try to keep the outside temp within 10F between fill-ups, outside temp was only 4F different (warmer) tonight then it was the last time I filled up.

California98Civic · 07-22-2014, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

So I went and filled up tonight, 250 miles on the dot and 6.446 gallons used, for a total of 38.7MPG. I don't know how the hell I got such low mpg, but whatever. I think there is a problem somewhere, I'm gonna do a compression test sometime this week.

Maybe you didn't get such low MPG. Could be some pump variation in there. And that's a relatively smaller fill, so that could be some of the explanation. Do you go to the same pump at the same station each time? Always pick slowest fill rate? Always stop pumping at the first click? Do all that and fill at closer to empty 9 or 10 gallons used, and you'll reduce data noise and make it easier to figure out what's happening.

Baltothewolf · 07-22-2014, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Maybe you didn't get such low MPG. Could be some pump variation in there. And that's a relatively smaller fill, so that could be some of the explanation. Do you go to the same pump at the same station each time? Always pick slowest fill rate? Always stop pumping at the first click? Do all that and fill at closer to empty 9 or 10 gallons used, and you'll reduce data noise and make it easier to figure out what's happening.

I edited my post above about the questions with the pump. Anyway, yea I always stop on the first click and the pump I go to naturally pumps really slow, it's why I always go to that pump specifically. I got laughed at time before last I went to fill, because someone was at that pump so I parked behind them, turned off my engine, waiting for them to finish then pushed my car into the spot LOL.

I think the damage to the front end might be at fault as well, tbh. The hood isn't sitting flush by a long shot (about a 1/4-1/2 inch gap) so I'm thinking that's killing me as well. When I get paid on Friday I plan on buying 2.5" lawn edging for a air dam, and I'm gonna take my car to a body shop and ask them how much it will cost to bend the front end back into place.

Oh also, last but not least, UG said I got 42.6mpg that trip.

Baltothewolf · 07-23-2014, 04:45 AM

So on my way home, I got TC P0401... I also noticed today it was a lot, lot harder to get my car to go into L/B, and my car isn't leaning out like it normally does. Normally when I'm cruising city, the voltage on my o2 sensor will drop to 0.050 - 0.115 and now it always runs 640-800 which is normal range, could the TC have something to do with it?

Oh for the record, I do not have a CEL. Just the code popped up on UG.

Daox · 07-23-2014, 11:05 AM

Sounds like its time to clean up the EGR passages and EGR valve.

California98Civic · 07-23-2014, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

So on my way home, I got TC P0401... I also noticed today it was a lot, lot harder to get my car to go into L/B, and my car isn't leaning out like it normally does. Normally when I'm cruising city, the voltage on my o2 sensor will drop to 0.050 - 0.115 and now it always runs 640-800 which is normal range, could the TC have something to do with it?

Oh for the record, I do not have a CEL. Just the code popped up on UG.

What Daox said. And the 1996-2000 FSM says vtec-e lean burn will not work whenever a CEL is lit-up.

Baltothewolf · 07-23-2014, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daox

Sounds like its time to clean up the EGR passages and EGR valve.

Don't I have to remove the fuel rail for that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by California98Civic

What Daox said. And the 1996-2000 FSM says vtec-e lean burn will not work whenever a CEL is lit-up.

I don't have a CEL...

Daox · 07-23-2014, 03:38 PM

Nope, the EGR is totally separate from that. Hopefully one of the other Civic guys can get you a pic. Its done differently on every car I've seen. But, its basically a tube/passage that goes from your exhaust to your intake manifold.

Baltothewolf · 07-23-2014, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daox

Nope, the EGR is totally separate from that. Hopefully one of the other Civic guys can get you a pic. Its done differently on every car I've seen. But, its basically a tube/passage that goes from your exhaust to your intake manifold.

I found this write-up, I think I'm going to do this, this weekend.

Fixing EGR blockage leading to DTCs P0401 and P1491

Also, what I don't understand, if my EGR is clogged or messed up in some way, how did I pass smog with flying colors? Wouldn't I have been at least close to failing on something?