Honda Civic 1985

1985 HONDA CIVIC
177,800 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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PRINCESSLION79
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my car was smoking before I changed the head gasket and the valve seals. Now when I brake the car stalls and the exhaust there is black sooti. There is no more smoke from the exhaust. My car sat for 15 days while I was changing the gasket and seals.
Mar 30, 2011 at 8:16 PM
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KHLOW2008
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Check if all 4 spark plugs are sooty. Is this a carburetted or fuel injected model? Is the timing belt installed correctly?
Are ther any vacuum leakages?
Mar 30, 2011 at 11:07 PM
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PRINCESSLION79
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Hi KHLow2008,

The brand new spark plugs are sooty. It is a carburetted model. The timing belt was marked and put back correctly. And how can I check for vacuum leaks?

The RPMs needle goes up and down when the car is in park, and when I press the brake pedal when the car is in drive gear.
Mar 30, 2011 at 11:36 PM
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KHLOW2008
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This indicates the carburettor is providing excessive fuel or insufficient air is getting to the engine. Check the auto choke and ensure it is opening fully when engine is warmed up.

Ensure you have sufficient coolant in system.

Is it single or twin carbs?
Mar 31, 2011 at 12:23 AM
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PRINCESSLION79
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i just changed the intake manifold gasket.i runed the car several minuts and the needle of the engine temperature is in cold position it did not go up . is it normal. and the car sounds like runing on only 3 spark plugs
Mar 31, 2011 at 2:29 AM
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KHLOW2008
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It takes about 3 to 4 minutes before the temperature gauge would show. If the thermostat had been removed or is stuck in the open position, it would take a much longer time for the gauge to indicate.

If there is any misfiring, check the spark plugs and related components. Have the compression tested and valve clearances checked/adjusted.
Mar 31, 2011 at 4:59 PM
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