Wednesday, August 25, 2010

alt.honda - 3 new messages in 3 topics - digest

alt.honda
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.honda?hl=en

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Today's topics:

* honda b16a - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.honda/t/99a35c807946288e?hl=en
* where is the coolant going? - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.honda/t/c4fe9eb20831608b?hl=en
* Honda Civic LX 2001 exhaust visible smoke - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.honda/t/3aec1a488a53a784?hl=en

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TOPIC: honda b16a
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.honda/t/99a35c807946288e?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 23 2010 11:04 pm
From: "mark krawczuk"


hi, i`ve just put a turbo kit on a honda civic with b16a engine.

got the chip done , but its popping etc... about 6500rpm and up.
its running about 7 -8 psi.
i havent changed the injectors or the mapsensor..

is there anything else i should have done ?
mark k

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TOPIC: where is the coolant going?
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.honda/t/c4fe9eb20831608b?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 24 2010 4:31 pm
From: John


On 12/24/2009 5:28 PM, John wrote:
> I have a 2001 Honda Civic LX, 115k miles, that I
> bought used about 2 years ago. It needed a head
> gasket (caught and fixed by the dealer under warranty
> fortunately).
>
> Over the summer, it started using coolant, about 8 ounces
> per week. There is no evidence it is going into the oil,
> and no drips reach the ground. I drive about 300-400 miles
> per week with it.

An update. Over the course of the first half of this year, the
coolant usage has gone up to a pint to a quart per day!

I got desperate and had a mechanic put KW Block Seal in it.
This required a flush first, run for 30 minutes or so with
water only, dry overnight, flush again next day, put antifreeze
in again.

It has slowed down the usage, maybe even close to have fixed it.
I'm not ready to conclude that yet because I have had to overfill
the overflow tank because it is now so translucent it is almost
opaque and I can't see the level, even with a flashlight. Today
I devised a fish tank tube and cork stopper where I can lower it
into the overflow, cork it, put it out and see where the level is.

Anyway, with at lease partial success, I have also now found out
about K-Seal which can be added to the antifreeze mixture itself.
If the level does go down, I'll use that too.

Not to worry about the car, I'm very near getting rid of it anyway.
It now also needs an A/C clutch and probably compressor. ($150 used
from a salvage place, i.e. junkyard).

However, I now have another issue... see my next post.

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TOPIC: Honda Civic LX 2001 exhaust visible smoke
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.honda/t/3aec1a488a53a784?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 24 2010 4:48 pm
From: John


This car has failed NJ emission testing. I took it to my
regular mechanic and he said he saw a bit of smoke when the
car first started, but nothing much. He doesn't have a
state reinspection license so he sent me elsewhere. Elsewhere
told me the same thing. A bit of smoke at start up, none
revving. And it passed the 3 second rule. i.e. it did not
last 3 seconds. I don't know if this is an "official" rule.
He said he didn't see anything really wrong, but it is his
brother that has the reinspection license, and he is off
this week.

I got restless. I took it to another place. Their assessment:
$350 + tax. Have to take off the valve cover and replace the
PCV valve. This didn't ring true to me, so I declined. They
then proceeded to charge me for 1 hour of diagnosis: $85 + tax.
I feel ripped off just for that.

I've since begun calling certified reinspection sites, and
asking them what they would charge to diagnose it. A half
hour of diagnosis is common. About $45. Not $90.

Tonight I pulled out my Haynes Repair Manual when I looked
at the engine and could not find the PCV valve. Aha! Tucked
down below. I read about its function and replacement. A
few hoses, squeeze one to hear the ball function, replace
if not functioning. It also takes air from the air filter.
It sure sounds like this should have been looked at and tried
first. No mention of needing to take the valve cover off to
do this!

One more fact: In NJ you can be required to spend up to $400
to remedy emission failure. Hmmm. $350 + tax = just under $400.

I'm leaning toward getting a new air filter and PCV valve,
the hoses if necessary, and trying to get through inspection
again. Think that will do it?

And what is the consensus here:

Was I ripped off for a full hour of diagnosis?

Would I have been ripped off with a $350 valve cover removal
and PCV valve extortion, I mean, replacement?

Thanks!


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