Well, I have a dilemma.

"Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig" (AndySheehan-StreetsideStig) 03/16/2016 at 13:50 • Filed to: None

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I recently bought a ‘98 Civic LX, D16Y7. The header is cracked. Normally this wouldn’t be a huge problem, but I think it’s affecting the O2 sensor. I believe the car is running lean because of it. It idles very low and sometimes dies. Sometimes it even dies at speed.

So I can just get a new header, right? Well, due to a root canal I had today, I can’t. I’m literally that broke until Friday.

Except I can’t wait until Friday, because early Friday morning, I’m supposed to leave for a rally about 4 hours away.

Last night I tried patching the cracks with JB Weld high temp epoxy, specifically advertised to work on headers. Today, after smoking like a ‘60s school teacher, it promptly separated and fell off.

I haven’t been able to pull codes, since either my reader or my app doesn’t seem to work. I need to go to the parts store today and have them read.

I’m worried about taking the car on a long trip. I’m afraid I could seriously damage something far away from home. I guess the smart thing to do would be to just cancel my plans for the rally.

I’m so annoyed right now. That is all.

dogisbadob > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 03/16/2016 at 14:00

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That is a common problem on that car/engine. The cat is part of the header, and the o2 sensor screws right in it. Most likely you’ll have a P0420. Simply replace the cat/header and o2 sensor together. A Walker or Eastern cat along with a Denso or NGK/NTK o2 sensor would be the best combo. About $200-250 total from Rock Auto. It will probably be ok for the few days it takes for the parts to arrive. You also get an additional 5% off with the promo code.

And of course, pick up a new scanner :p

iSureWilll > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 03/16/2016 at 14:08

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If it’s letting air in before the O2 sensor then it will be running very very rich and should throw an O2 sensor code. It’s most likely running on a “standard” fuel map. Most likely WAY to rich and that’s causing the stopping issue.

I think those have cast manifolds so you probably can't even weld it shut.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > iSureWilll 03/16/2016 at 14:11

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Yeah, it’s before the sensor, and yes, it’s cast. Gas mileage seems to be bad, too, so rich makes sense.

crowmolly > dogisbadob 03/16/2016 at 14:12

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This is what I’d do too.

Maybe... MAYBE you can wrap them in header wrap to try and restrict air from getting in, but that’s a gamble.

dogisbadob > crowmolly 03/16/2016 at 14:17

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That doesn’t sound like a good idea since the header is also the cat, and they get very hot.

RallyWrench > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 03/16/2016 at 14:17

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If you’re willing to deal with the MIL, unplug the 02 and it’ll default to a base fuel map that should run the car well enough, but with a fuel economy penalty. The problem with driving it with a cracked header is the possibility of burning a valve, depending on where it’s cracked.

crowmolly > dogisbadob 03/16/2016 at 14:19

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Yeah, I dunno, I was just going by pictures. Replacement is really the only way.

E92M3 > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 03/16/2016 at 14:23

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If it’s cracked, exhaust gases are leaking, and the O2 sensor is not getting a true reading. The ECU is trying to accommodate, probably by adding extra fuel. This can quickly ruin your cat, among other things. I wouldn’t drive it much until you get it fixed, or you’ll create more problems for yourself.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > RallyWrench 03/16/2016 at 14:57

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Yeah, I’m worried about that, too. That’s my big issue with taking it so far from home.

iSureWilll > dogisbadob 03/16/2016 at 19:41

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This guy knows.

brianbrannon > RallyWrench 03/17/2016 at 16:17

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Why would you think a cracked manifold would burn a valve? P.S. just clean the idle air motor and you should be good.