Two 1998 Civics - inexpensive improvements?

[MamaBear2015]

Originally Posted by firehawk618

How did the mechanic mix the tar filled air filter and other things you found on your own?

They told us about them, and that the car was in good shape despite them.

[MamaBear2015]

OK, I guess I was confused, because I used to set the timing on my cars, but I was at my mechanic today and asking him about that timing belt "1 tooth off" thing, and he explained that it was cam timing, not ignition timing, which is set by the computer. Now come to think of it, this Teal car, which had the timing belt changed by the dealership before we bought it from them, is also making a little grinding sound internally when I accelerate too hard. Didn't think it was anything to worry about - I've never driven a Civic before this, BUT in light of this possibility, now I'm wondering if it is off by 1 tooth?

How can that be checked and fixed, if need be? Is it costly?

[California98Civic]

Here are a couple mods you can do that will improve fuel economy: complete upper grill block, partial lower grill block, lawn-edging air dam, raise tire pressure, remove power steering, injector kill switch. Then hypermile moderately and these cars will probably top 50mpg for you without overmuch work. All of these mods and more, as well as fairly heavy and very dedicated hypermiling have been my mainstay for over 4 years now... in a car almost identical to yours.

[MamaBear2015]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Here are a couple mods you can do that will improve fuel economy: complete upper grill block, partial lower grill block, lawn-edging air dam, raise tire pressure, remove power steering, injector kill switch. Then hypermile moderately and these cars will probably top 50mpg for you without overmuch work. All of these mods and more, as well as fairly heavy and very dedicated hypermiling have been my mainstay for over 4 years now... in a car almost identical to yours.

I'm not into actual hypermiling - that seems way extreme for me ( no AC for example, putting it in neutral down hills... ). And this is an automatic ( I used stick shifts years ago, but they were a pain ). But I am interested in getting the best mileage and power out of it, as I can reasonably expect with prudent driving. But it looks like the Teal car needs a little work first. I've been getting 32-36 with it, but like I said, the assertiveness and smoothness is lacking, compared to the Silver car that we just got. ( both '98 Civics with the same model engine )

My mechanic suggested a can of BG44K too, this afternoon, so I filled up and added that. But I cant help wonder about that timing belt change, just before we got it, and if it isn't a little off.

[Ecky]

I'm not sure if it's the same on SOHC cars, but I did a belt on a DOHC Honda last year and when I first started it, it hardly ran. One of the cams was off 1 tooth and it was completely unusable. Good thing it only took maybe 20-30 minutes to correct.

[MamaBear2015]

Originally Posted by Ecky

I'm not sure if it's the same on SOHC cars, but I did a belt on a DOHC Honda last year and when I first started it, it hardly ran. One of the cams was off 1 tooth and it was completely unusable. Good thing it only took maybe 20-30 minutes to correct.

This is why I'm wondering about it. When I hit the gas a little hard, there's like a grinding sound to the firing. And of course, it doesn't have the assertiveness and smoothness of the one we just bought, with the same engine. Idling, it does a little rough bumpy misfiring.

[California98Civic]

One tooth off can make the SOHC cars run oddly for sure. But the fix is more than a 30 min affair. Wheel, crank pulley, one engine mount, both timing covers, and the belt tensioner and belt have to come off to adust it. I id the job successfully last summer. For me, inexperienced, it took a long time, but even the experienced will need a couple or a few hours. Be sure this is the issue first by eliminating simpler possibilities first, I'd say.

EDIT: suspect the fuel system maybe too... you had cruddy air filter... how about fuel filter?

[MamaBear2015]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

One tooth off can make the SOHC cars run oddly for sure. But the fix is more than a 30 min affair. Wheel, crank pulley, one engine mount, both timing covers, and the belt tensioner and belt have to come off to adust it. I id the job successfully last summer. For me, inexperienced, it took a long time, but even the experienced will need a couple or a few hours. Be sure this is the issue first by eliminating simpler possibilities first, I'd say.

EDIT: suspect the fuel system maybe too... you had cruddy air filter... how about fuel filter?

No, you're mixing up the cars. The timing belt was changed on the Teal Civic that we got in January, AND the dealership did a bunch of things on that one, including air filter. I did the fuel filter after we got it.

On the Silver one we got last week, THAT was the one with the clogged air filter, and I changed that and the plugs, and had a mechanic change the fuel filter this week.

But as far as the Teal one ( January ) having less power than the Silver one, and idling a little bumpy, I just called the dealership where we bought the first 98 ( Teal ) Civic back in January, and told them that a couple of mechanics I know, are wondering if, when they changed the timing belt before selling it to us, it might have gotten "1 tooth off". They said that for them to run a complete diagnostic is $115 and takes a couple of hours, and if it IS that, it would be no charge to fix it. I'd also certainly hope that, if it IS that, they would waive the diagnostic charge too.

But we have to have time to drop it off with them.

[MPGomatic]

Android and iPhone apps are a less alternative to dedicated devices like the ScanGauge and Ultragauge. You'll need an inexpensive wireless OBD dongle (under $20): Bluetooth for Android, Wifi for iOS. The Torque App is free for Android. The DashCommand App is $10.

The AutoMeter EcoMeter is a colorful, and compact alternative. While it doesn't deliver all of the deep data of the SG and UG, the color sweep display keeps your eyes on the road. (Disclaimer: AutoMeter helped Kickstart my Ain't Fuelin' pilot.)

More maintenance stuff: fuel system clean, PCV valve, switch to high mileage full synthetic oil on the next oil change and low rolling resistance tires when it's time for a tire change.

[MamaBear2015]

Originally Posted by MPGomatic

Android and iPhone apps are a less alternative to dedicated devices like the ScanGauge and Ultragauge. You'll need an inexpensive wireless OBD dongle (under $20): Bluetooth for Android, Wifi for iOS. The Torque App is free for Android. The DashCommand App is $10.

The AutoMeter EcoMeter is a colorful, and compact alternative. While it doesn't deliver all of the deep data of the SG and UG, the color sweep display keeps your eyes on the road. (Disclaimer: AutoMeter helped Kickstart my Ain't Fuelin' pilot.)

That UG II is a great price for what you get, I think we'll get 2 of those.

More maintenance stuff: fuel system clean, PCV valve, switch to high mileage full synthetic oil on the next oil change and low rolling resistance tires when it's time for a tire change.

Like I said, I'm not hypermiling, but we've been getting a synthetic blend oil from the mechanic. Is full synthetic THAT much better on MPG?