Re: '92 Civic DX Hatchback Idle dropout problem
 

<david.borhani@alum.mit.edu> wrote in message
news:1182610384.368819.243430@n2g2000hse.googlegro ups.com...
>> It would be nice if you knew somebody handy enough to slip off the valve
>> cover and confirm whether the TB is out one tooth.
>
> I can take off the valve cover no problem. Looked at the link you
> suggested and found this one -- http://timingbelt.soben.com/ -- that
> gave pictures from an Acura T-belt replacement. BUT, it's not clear to
> me just what one does/looks for to determine whether T-belt is off by
> one tooth. Could you please supply a bit more detail? I assume you
> take off the valve cover, turn engine (by hand?) until cylinder 1 (the
> one next to T-belt?) is at TDC (judged how?), then look at where belt
> lines up with some marking on case? Sounds like a quick job if you
> know what you're doing/looking for?
>
> Thanks!
>
>
That's pretty much it. The crank is turned *counterclockwise* by the bolt
head (supposed to be retorqued after doing this but in practice it won't
budge even when we desperately want it to) or by a strap wrench on the crank
pulley until the TDC timing mark lines up. Note: most engines turn
clockwise, Honda engines turn counterclockwise. Never turn the engine
backward as the timing belt tension is on the wrong side and the belt might
skip. Anyway, the cam gears should then be in the TDC position or exactly
180 degrees away from TDC. There are stamped markings or holes of various
sorts for the various engines. Most of them are obvious enough to figure
out, but a few are not so obvious. Any shop manual for your model, even
Chilton's or Haynes, will have the details.

Mike

Re: '92 Civic DX Hatchback Idle dropout problem
 

> disconnect the i.a.c.v. when warm and see what happens to engine revs. if the engine
dies, you need to set the idle correctly.

Indeed, engine dies immediately. Should it idle at all w/o IACV
connected (if so, what extra thing does the IACV do?)?

Re: '92 Civic DX Hatchback Idle dropout problem
 

> disconnect the i.a.c.v. when warm and see what happens to engine revs. if the engine
dies, you need to set the idle correctly.

Indeed, engine dies immediately. Should it idle at all w/o IACV
connected (if so, what extra thing does the IACV do?)?

Re: '92 Civic DX Hatchback Idle dropout problem
 

> disconnect the i.a.c.v. when warm and see what happens to engine revs. if the engine
dies, you need to set the idle correctly.

Indeed, engine dies immediately. Should it idle at all w/o IACV
connected (if so, what extra thing does the IACV do?)?

Re: '92 Civic DX Hatchback Idle dropout problem
 

david.borhani@alum.mit.edu wrote:
>> disconnect the i.a.c.v. when warm and see what happens to engine revs. if the engine
> dies, you need to set the idle correctly.
>
> Indeed, engine dies immediately. Should it idle at all w/o IACV
> connected (if so, what extra thing does the IACV do?)?
>
when fully warm, it should idle a bit below normal, but not die. but
before you adjust anything there, make sure it's not timing, ignition, etc.

Re: '92 Civic DX Hatchback Idle dropout problem
 

david.borhani@alum.mit.edu wrote:
>> disconnect the i.a.c.v. when warm and see what happens to engine revs. if the engine
> dies, you need to set the idle correctly.
>
> Indeed, engine dies immediately. Should it idle at all w/o IACV
> connected (if so, what extra thing does the IACV do?)?
>
when fully warm, it should idle a bit below normal, but not die. but
before you adjust anything there, make sure it's not timing, ignition, etc.

Re: '92 Civic DX Hatchback Idle dropout problem
 

david.borhani@alum.mit.edu wrote:
>> disconnect the i.a.c.v. when warm and see what happens to engine revs. if the engine
> dies, you need to set the idle correctly.
>
> Indeed, engine dies immediately. Should it idle at all w/o IACV
> connected (if so, what extra thing does the IACV do?)?
>
when fully warm, it should idle a bit below normal, but not die. but
before you adjust anything there, make sure it's not timing, ignition, etc.

Re: '92 Civic DX Hatchback Idle dropout problem
 

>>> disconnect the i.a.c.v. when warm and see what happens to engine revs. if the engine dies, you need to set the idle correctly.
>> Indeed, engine dies immediately. Should it idle at all w/o IACV
>> connected (if so, what extra thing does the IACV do?)?
> when fully warm, it should idle a bit below normal, but not die.
but
> before you adjust anything there, make sure it's not timing, ignition, etc.
OK, thanks, will twiddle the idle knob and try again, after I'm sure T-
belt is OK.

Got valve & top T-belt covers off. Can see UP marked on camshaft
pully, and a line mark that looks like, if UP were up, would align w/
a little pointy thing on lower (plastic) cover. Mark & point should
line up, then cams will all be at TDC if T-belt is OK, otherwise some
cams will be off? Do I need to get the bottom cover off, to see the
lower two T-belt pulleys? (I think doing so it beyond my skill: too
many other pulleys, engine mount, etc there.) I guess what's confusing
me is that the T-belt camshaft pulley is physically part of the
camshaft, so how can it be anything but lined up (UP=up, mark=pointer,
+/-TDC on cams)? I'm clearly missing something (those lower two
pulleys??)

Re: '92 Civic DX Hatchback Idle dropout problem
 

>>> disconnect the i.a.c.v. when warm and see what happens to engine revs. if the engine dies, you need to set the idle correctly.
>> Indeed, engine dies immediately. Should it idle at all w/o IACV
>> connected (if so, what extra thing does the IACV do?)?
> when fully warm, it should idle a bit below normal, but not die.
but
> before you adjust anything there, make sure it's not timing, ignition, etc.
OK, thanks, will twiddle the idle knob and try again, after I'm sure T-
belt is OK.

Got valve & top T-belt covers off. Can see UP marked on camshaft
pully, and a line mark that looks like, if UP were up, would align w/
a little pointy thing on lower (plastic) cover. Mark & point should
line up, then cams will all be at TDC if T-belt is OK, otherwise some
cams will be off? Do I need to get the bottom cover off, to see the
lower two T-belt pulleys? (I think doing so it beyond my skill: too
many other pulleys, engine mount, etc there.) I guess what's confusing
me is that the T-belt camshaft pulley is physically part of the
camshaft, so how can it be anything but lined up (UP=up, mark=pointer,
+/-TDC on cams)? I'm clearly missing something (those lower two
pulleys??)

Re: '92 Civic DX Hatchback Idle dropout problem
 

>>> disconnect the i.a.c.v. when warm and see what happens to engine revs. if the engine dies, you need to set the idle correctly.
>> Indeed, engine dies immediately. Should it idle at all w/o IACV
>> connected (if so, what extra thing does the IACV do?)?
> when fully warm, it should idle a bit below normal, but not die.
but
> before you adjust anything there, make sure it's not timing, ignition, etc.
OK, thanks, will twiddle the idle knob and try again, after I'm sure T-
belt is OK.

Got valve & top T-belt covers off. Can see UP marked on camshaft
pully, and a line mark that looks like, if UP were up, would align w/
a little pointy thing on lower (plastic) cover. Mark & point should
line up, then cams will all be at TDC if T-belt is OK, otherwise some
cams will be off? Do I need to get the bottom cover off, to see the
lower two T-belt pulleys? (I think doing so it beyond my skill: too
many other pulleys, engine mount, etc there.) I guess what's confusing
me is that the T-belt camshaft pulley is physically part of the
camshaft, so how can it be anything but lined up (UP=up, mark=pointer,
+/-TDC on cams)? I'm clearly missing something (those lower two
pulleys??)

Re: '92 Civic DX Hatchback Idle dropout problem
 

david.borhani@alum.mit.edu wrote:
>>>> disconnect the i.a.c.v. when warm and see what happens to engine revs. if the engine dies, you need to set the idle correctly.
> >> Indeed, engine dies immediately. Should it idle at all w/o IACV
> >> connected (if so, what extra thing does the IACV do?)?
> > when fully warm, it should idle a bit below normal, but not die.
> but
>> before you adjust anything there, make sure it's not timing, ignition, etc.
> OK, thanks, will twiddle the idle knob and try again, after I'm sure T-
> belt is OK.
>
> Got valve & top T-belt covers off. Can see UP marked on camshaft
> pully, and a line mark that looks like, if UP were up, would align w/
> a little pointy thing on lower (plastic) cover. Mark & point should
> line up, then cams will all be at TDC if T-belt is OK, otherwise some
> cams will be off? Do I need to get the bottom cover off, to see the
> lower two T-belt pulleys? (I think doing so it beyond my skill: too
> many other pulleys, engine mount, etc there.) I guess what's confusing
> me is that the T-belt camshaft pulley is physically part of the
> camshaft, so how can it be anything but lined up (UP=up, mark=pointer,
> +/-TDC on cams)? I'm clearly missing something (those lower two
> pulleys??)
>

there's two sets of marks on the crank pulley - one [or 3 close
together] for 18 degrees, the ignition timing mark, and one for tdc.
it's the latter you need at the pointer when doing cam timing.

for the cam pulley, there's two sets of marks. you need to check which
is which for the ex, but one set should be parallel with the head top
and "up" showing. the other gets pointed at a different mark on the
head. it'll be one or the other.

again, you really need the book on this.

getting back to the idle, you should /not/ adjust it until you have
everything else set right.

Re: '92 Civic DX Hatchback Idle dropout problem
 

david.borhani@alum.mit.edu wrote:
>>>> disconnect the i.a.c.v. when warm and see what happens to engine revs. if the engine dies, you need to set the idle correctly.
> >> Indeed, engine dies immediately. Should it idle at all w/o IACV
> >> connected (if so, what extra thing does the IACV do?)?
> > when fully warm, it should idle a bit below normal, but not die.
> but
>> before you adjust anything there, make sure it's not timing, ignition, etc.
> OK, thanks, will twiddle the idle knob and try again, after I'm sure T-
> belt is OK.
>
> Got valve & top T-belt covers off. Can see UP marked on camshaft
> pully, and a line mark that looks like, if UP were up, would align w/
> a little pointy thing on lower (plastic) cover. Mark & point should
> line up, then cams will all be at TDC if T-belt is OK, otherwise some
> cams will be off? Do I need to get the bottom cover off, to see the
> lower two T-belt pulleys? (I think doing so it beyond my skill: too
> many other pulleys, engine mount, etc there.) I guess what's confusing
> me is that the T-belt camshaft pulley is physically part of the
> camshaft, so how can it be anything but lined up (UP=up, mark=pointer,
> +/-TDC on cams)? I'm clearly missing something (those lower two
> pulleys??)
>

there's two sets of marks on the crank pulley - one [or 3 close
together] for 18 degrees, the ignition timing mark, and one for tdc.
it's the latter you need at the pointer when doing cam timing.

for the cam pulley, there's two sets of marks. you need to check which
is which for the ex, but one set should be parallel with the head top
and "up" showing. the other gets pointed at a different mark on the
head. it'll be one or the other.

again, you really need the book on this.

getting back to the idle, you should /not/ adjust it until you have
everything else set right.

Re: '92 Civic DX Hatchback Idle dropout problem
 

david.borhani@alum.mit.edu wrote:
>>>> disconnect the i.a.c.v. when warm and see what happens to engine revs. if the engine dies, you need to set the idle correctly.
> >> Indeed, engine dies immediately. Should it idle at all w/o IACV
> >> connected (if so, what extra thing does the IACV do?)?
> > when fully warm, it should idle a bit below normal, but not die.
> but
>> before you adjust anything there, make sure it's not timing, ignition, etc.
> OK, thanks, will twiddle the idle knob and try again, after I'm sure T-
> belt is OK.
>
> Got valve & top T-belt covers off. Can see UP marked on camshaft
> pully, and a line mark that looks like, if UP were up, would align w/
> a little pointy thing on lower (plastic) cover. Mark & point should
> line up, then cams will all be at TDC if T-belt is OK, otherwise some
> cams will be off? Do I need to get the bottom cover off, to see the
> lower two T-belt pulleys? (I think doing so it beyond my skill: too
> many other pulleys, engine mount, etc there.) I guess what's confusing
> me is that the T-belt camshaft pulley is physically part of the
> camshaft, so how can it be anything but lined up (UP=up, mark=pointer,
> +/-TDC on cams)? I'm clearly missing something (those lower two
> pulleys??)
>

there's two sets of marks on the crank pulley - one [or 3 close
together] for 18 degrees, the ignition timing mark, and one for tdc.
it's the latter you need at the pointer when doing cam timing.

for the cam pulley, there's two sets of marks. you need to check which
is which for the ex, but one set should be parallel with the head top
and "up" showing. the other gets pointed at a different mark on the
head. it'll be one or the other.

again, you really need the book on this.

getting back to the idle, you should /not/ adjust it until you have
everything else set right.

Re: '92 Civic DX Hatchback Idle dropout problem
 

jim beam wrote:
> david.borhani@alum.mit.edu wrote:
>>>>> disconnect the i.a.c.v. when warm and see what happens to engine
>>>>> revs. if the engine dies, you need to set the idle correctly.
>> >> Indeed, engine dies immediately. Should it idle at all w/o IACV
>> >> connected (if so, what extra thing does the IACV do?)?
>> > when fully warm, it should idle a bit below normal, but not die.
>> but
>>> before you adjust anything there, make sure it's not timing,
>>> ignition, etc.
>> OK, thanks, will twiddle the idle knob and try again, after I'm sure T-
>> belt is OK.
>>
>> Got valve & top T-belt covers off. Can see UP marked on camshaft
>> pully, and a line mark that looks like, if UP were up, would align w/
>> a little pointy thing on lower (plastic) cover. Mark & point should
>> line up, then cams will all be at TDC if T-belt is OK, otherwise some
>> cams will be off? Do I need to get the bottom cover off, to see the
>> lower two T-belt pulleys? (I think doing so it beyond my skill: too
>> many other pulleys, engine mount, etc there.) I guess what's confusing
>> me is that the T-belt camshaft pulley is physically part of the
>> camshaft, so how can it be anything but lined up (UP=up, mark=pointer,
>> +/-TDC on cams)? I'm clearly missing something (those lower two
>> pulleys??)
>>
>
> there's two sets of marks on the crank pulley - one [or 3 close
> together] for 18 degrees, the ignition timing mark, and one for tdc.
> it's the latter you need at the pointer when doing cam timing.
>
> for the cam pulley, there's two sets of marks. you need to check which
> is which for the ex, but one set should be parallel with the head top
> and "up" showing. the other gets pointed at a different mark on the
> head. it'll be one or the other.
>
> again, you really need the book on this.
>
> getting back to the idle, you should /not/ adjust it until you have
> everything else set right.

and you should check belt tension since you have the cover off!

Re: '92 Civic DX Hatchback Idle dropout problem
 

jim beam wrote:
> david.borhani@alum.mit.edu wrote:
>>>>> disconnect the i.a.c.v. when warm and see what happens to engine
>>>>> revs. if the engine dies, you need to set the idle correctly.
>> >> Indeed, engine dies immediately. Should it idle at all w/o IACV
>> >> connected (if so, what extra thing does the IACV do?)?
>> > when fully warm, it should idle a bit below normal, but not die.
>> but
>>> before you adjust anything there, make sure it's not timing,
>>> ignition, etc.
>> OK, thanks, will twiddle the idle knob and try again, after I'm sure T-
>> belt is OK.
>>
>> Got valve & top T-belt covers off. Can see UP marked on camshaft
>> pully, and a line mark that looks like, if UP were up, would align w/
>> a little pointy thing on lower (plastic) cover. Mark & point should
>> line up, then cams will all be at TDC if T-belt is OK, otherwise some
>> cams will be off? Do I need to get the bottom cover off, to see the
>> lower two T-belt pulleys? (I think doing so it beyond my skill: too
>> many other pulleys, engine mount, etc there.) I guess what's confusing
>> me is that the T-belt camshaft pulley is physically part of the
>> camshaft, so how can it be anything but lined up (UP=up, mark=pointer,
>> +/-TDC on cams)? I'm clearly missing something (those lower two
>> pulleys??)
>>
>
> there's two sets of marks on the crank pulley - one [or 3 close
> together] for 18 degrees, the ignition timing mark, and one for tdc.
> it's the latter you need at the pointer when doing cam timing.
>
> for the cam pulley, there's two sets of marks. you need to check which
> is which for the ex, but one set should be parallel with the head top
> and "up" showing. the other gets pointed at a different mark on the
> head. it'll be one or the other.
>
> again, you really need the book on this.
>
> getting back to the idle, you should /not/ adjust it until you have
> everything else set right.

and you should check belt tension since you have the cover off!