1989 Honda Civic Honda Civic Performance Loss

SOLASTOR

MEMBER
1989 HONDA CIVIC

Engine Performance problem
1989 Honda Civic 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

My 89 Civic is losing performance. It was running fine, but every now and then I would smell what smelled almost like burning oil or exhaust and one day the engine started smoking and it completely shut down. I've replaced the spark-plugs and the fuel pump as well as some fuses and it runs again, but only as a shell of it's former self. It can no longer climb hills. It gets 35 mph up hills when floored and sucks gas like there's no tomorrow. I've been lead to believe it's a crack in the exhaust manifold, but I would like a second opinion before I sink more money into it.

5 Replies

MADMIKE1735

MECHANIC
951 POSTS

Sounds like the cat has clogged. Best time to check is at night. Start the car, and maintain 2500rpms. Should take about 8 seconds. If your cat turns a cherry red, then its clogged. Must be replaced.

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Monday, September 20th, 2010 AT 8:32 PM

SOLASTOR

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3 POSTS

Thanks, Mike. I'll look into it.

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Monday, September 20th, 2010 AT 8:35 PM

MADMIKE1735

MECHANIC
951 POSTS

Your welcome. Keep in mind though that a cat doesnt just go bad. If you find that your cat is melted, you also have to find out what caused it to melt. Most probable causes being o2 sensors. Let us know what you find.

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Monday, September 20th, 2010 AT 9:07 PM

BKI7433

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2 POSTS

Sounds like to me you have a blown head gasket. Check the cylinders for compression. This could be a burnt valve situation as well caused by a lean gas

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Friday, October 1st, 2010 AT 7:08 AM

SOLASTOR

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Turns out there was a bad seal on the cat which caused it turn burn out and took the ignition rotar and coil with it. Had all those replaced as well as some wires and it ran fine. Then before I could go pick it up from Landis Auto the alternator went out. Seems fishy to me that the alternator was running great when we brought it in and then it died overnight. They quoted me another $250 onto the $350 tab they ran up and I said, "Screw it I've got another alternator and I'll put it on myself."