New Head New Problems

Tiny
M1.7
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 HONDA CIVIC
  • 1.7L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 120,100 MILES
I recently replaced the entire cylinder head;
Did the timing belt back in March, car had a misfire on C2 so I did some work.
Replaced Spark Plugs (twice) misfire still.
Replaced all coil units same thing.
Replaced all injectors same issue.

Began to think the problem was more serious but I was also thinking the timing belt might have had the need of replacement so I had the belt and coolant pump done. Camshaft sensor was replaced too.

Issue still showed up and then more cylinders misfired randomly.

Read online that the issue could be a worn camshaft or too much play so I opted in replacing the head assembly entirely.

Cylinders didn’t show abnormal wear, carbon deposits only.

Valves adjusted accordingly to specs.
New gaskets and seals, new Vtec solenoid gasket.

New oil change (think I didn’t drive the car more than a couple miles from the previous oil change; just for street cleaning)

Car felt good again and I was happy.
Yesterday 12/10/19 a random person needed a jump start so I stopped to help, charged the car a bit and it cranked but no power; I suggested out of gas since the gauge was on the red mark so I went to get the person two gallons of gasoline
returned, poured gas into tank and jumped the car again; no start, just cranking
Disconnected the jumper cables and pushed the car to a parking spot; the person of that car (VW Jetta 2.0 mk4) opens a fuse box by the battery and noticed a blown fuse so I told her to go get a fuse to AutoZone few blocks away and I drove off to go in with my day.
A block away the car almost stalled and there was this bad smell of burnt oil and I noticed the car was shaking, engine stalled but started again and badly shaking (engine) but no check engine light at all.
Car started to run really bad so I parked a block away then the dreaded flashing light came on. All cylinders misfire (random).
I drive it home to the garage to check on what could be happening.
Oil was black ! Drive the car to test it for about 75 miles before it had any problems.
Oil was brand new, synthetic 5/20.
Changed oil again as well as the filter but the old oil was nasty looking, no amber color at all, no visual contamination of coolant (in case of extremely bad luck and the new head gasket had been defective therefore blown) Coolant in the radiator and reservoir clean (also new).

I want this car to last me for the next 15 years, at the rate I drive; that should be at least the time I’d consider to get another car.
Unfortunately, it has that problem and I’m thinking twice now into putting more money into it.

I was suggested and I think as well that the problem might be a blown ECU
Easy to replace but I wonder if the mileage of the donor vehicle and VIN can be edited to match my vehicles? Would the dealership be able to edit/program the ECU to match my current ECU?
I don’t want to get an ECU that shows a gazillion miles; I keep track of the maintenance by the current miles; do my oil changes way before due, about 3,000 miles or much less along with a new filter every single time. Rotate my own tires, do my own brakes. I love my little car !

Could that be the issue? Just a bad ECU due to the good Samaritan moral? I even paid for the two gallons of gas.

2002 Civic EX 5s MT VTec 1.7
120100 Miles

Thanks
Wednesday, December 11th, 2019 AT 1:50 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

I don't think that the Power-train Control Module [PCM] or "computer" is the problem here. The PCM is an input/output device that runs on electricity. If the PCM goes out, you will have a no start issue with the spark plugs not firing and the fuel injectors not turning on. I would recommend checking the electrical connectors going to the PCM for unwanted resistance, i.E. Corrosion. Before doing any work on the PCM electrical connectors or the PCM itself, or actually, any electrical work short of voltage drop work, you need to unplug the negative battery cable from the negative battery terminal to prevent a power spike and damaging any electrical component. In the diagrams down below I have included the ECM/PCM wiring harness with connector diagrams and call outs. Please go through these guides and check the PCM connectors for unwanted resistance and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 5:51 AM

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