Answer to Put-Putty When Cold

To Bruce:
Answer to previous post, copied and pasted below this answer:
Just to let you know, I had a crack in the exhaust manifold causing the put-puttyness when cold. My theory is that the crack would close to some degree when the manifold heated up and the metal expanded because the manifold is restrained by the manifold/engine bolts. (An unrestrained crack would get wider when heated.) Please let me know if you got this message at brdelemos@yahoo. Com

Thanks, Brian


Previous Post:
Posted: Put-Putty When Cold
Tue Apr 17, 2007 3:19 pm
brdelemos, New to the forum
Give Feedback | Votes: 0


1997 Honda Civic LX, 133,000 miles. The car is put-putty (like a go-cart) and sluggish when cold (car and outside temp). It is also a little harder to start when the car and outside temp are cold (50 to 60's [California cold]), never starting on the first turn of the key, but always on the second. The car runs strong when warmed up (after about 5 to 10 minutes of driving) except that the engine sounds a little rough. I have done all of the standard routine maintenance listed in the owner's manual. The alteranter (and water pump) was replaced at 120,000 miles; it has a new battery, air filter, spark plugs, and timing belt; and the idle speed is within acceptable range. It does not have new distributor/spark plug wires. Is the put-puttiness when cold normal for an older car, or is there something I should check?

Thanks,
Brian