[continuous swearing]

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
03/14/2019 at 09:59 • Filed to: project golf ball

I knew adjusting the timing on the Civic and then driving it to work was dumb. That didn’t stop me from being surprised when, after entering the freeway, it lost power and started acting weird. Well ok... not surprised... annoyed.

Felt similar to the fuel delivery issues I thought were in the past. No idea why timing would affect that. Step one is to double check the timing. Step two, when step one doesn’t fix the problem, is to go ahead and check the carburetor float. I’ve really been avoiding this because of what a pain that carb is to remove, but here we are.

This kinda needs to be done by Saturday because I was going to take it to Tulsa’s knockoff of Cars and Coffee.

*sigh* Just need to remind myself that this is fun. This is fun, right? This is fun.

DISCUSSION (16)

Tekamul > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
03/14/2019 at 10:18

Definitely sounds more like carb than timing. Probably starved for fuel.

random001 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
03/14/2019 at 10:20

This is fun!

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
03/14/2019 at 10:27

I don’t think I’ve ever told you I dated a girl in college who had a white civic. Man that was a sweet little car but I digress, like Tekamul said check the carb and make sure it’s getting enough fuel to the engine.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
03/14/2019 at 10:37

Ah, damn... Would’ve loved to meet up with you there, but we’re heading out of town with the kiddos for spring break. Hope you get it sorted out soon!

Sovande > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
03/14/2019 at 10:50

Try advancing the timing by ear. Advance it until it is smoothest at hot idle. Then check the timing and see how far advanced you are. Drive the car and see how it responds. Then try splitting the difference. If stock is 6 BTDC and by ear you are at 10 BTDC, back it down to 8 and see how it runs. Your timing mark could be off a little, etc. I find the best way to do it by ear/feel is to rest your dangly bits against the fender and adjust til they aren’t bouncing around.

The 350 in my El Camino is set at 24 degrees BTDC. That is 12 degrees higher than the book says, but it is what that particular engine likes. When I set the timing at 12 degrees, per the book, the engine is a dog. If it doesn’t knock at high rpms, you are all set.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you need to make all adjustments when the engine is fully hot. Not just warmed up in the garage, but drive it for 20 minutes and then started fiddling.

Does the fuel starvation issue (or whatever it actuall y is) always occur after a stretch of highway driving? I wonder if you might have something like a delaminating fuel hose? The interior of the hose can separate and act like a barn door - at high flow the pressure is great enough to keep the flap out of the way, but at low draw the flap can swing down and restrict fuel. This was a big problem in boats when they switched to ethanol in fuel since it would eat the inside of fuel lines. Also, how clean is your fuel tank? Any chance you are sucking up goop/filth/flarn at higher speeds and its traveling to the carb and blocking a jet?

LastFirstMI is my name > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
03/14/2019 at 11:29

Since you just worked on it, maybe check for vacuum leaks. I helped my brother swap out the engine in his wife’s 1980’s civic and it was like a bowl of spaghetti under there! Actually a bowl of rice noodles would be more appropriate....

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Sovande
03/14/2019 at 11:46

Good points! Thanks!

When I checked it initially the timing was super retarded. I had to advance it a TON to get it where it was in spec. Not sure what that means, exactly, but the car didn’t drive appreciably different after the adjustment. Since it was non-running when I bought it maybe the PO adjusted it to 0 as a fail-safe default?

The issue presents itself only after a long period of acceleration. Basically getting on the highway or extended uphill driving. Usually I’ll be up to speed or nearly up to speed and I’ll notice a big drop in torque, like shifting to a higher gear but without the RPM change. In the past, this would be followed by intake backfires, but that was not the case this morning.

Anyway, I had this (or a similar one...) a few months back. Replaced the fuel filter, pump, and all of the soft lines. I also drained the tank before I started work, so the gas in there should be good. (The stuff that came out looked fine.) Carb is brand new. It hasn’t been a problem until I adjusted the timing.

Apparently Weber carbs are known for having poorly adjusted floats, so that is the next thing to try (after triple checking my timing). The carb is a pain in the dick to remove, so I’m avoiding it. After that I guess I’ll do a pressure and flow check. Worst case I ditch the mechanical pump and go electric, but that is not my preference.

brianbrannon > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
03/14/2019 at 12:20

If you had to advance the timing a ton you should see if your timing belt is off a tooth

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > brianbrannon
03/14/2019 at 14:52

I checked it when I adjusted the valves and it seems correct. Also if the valve timing was off I assume the engine either would have been or would not be running like crap and it really hasn’t been a problem.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > LastFirstMI is my name
03/14/2019 at 14:54

For better or worse the PO ripped out the stock “feedback” carb and it is not running a simple Weber setup. Only three vacuum lines now! Advance, booster, and 4WD.

twodudesnape > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
03/14/2019 at 16:52

Trust me, it is better. That stock setup was cool and cutting edge (kinda) when it first came out but 30 some years on, it’s a pain in the ass to work on or diagnose.

MKVJunkle > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
03/14/2019 at 17:22

I read Oppo often and almost never post, but I just put it together that you and this car are in Tulsa. I’m fairly certain I was behind you this morning. I was pretty excited to see one out and about. Small world sometimes.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > MKVJunkle
03/14/2019 at 17:29

Small world indeed! W ere you behind me when everything started to go wrong on the BA ? Because I felt bad for that person, but I’d feel better if it were a fellow Oppo.

If all goes well the Wago and I will be at Caffiene and Gasoline this weekend. You should say “hi” if you’re around.

MKVJunkle > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
03/14/2019 at 17:38

Unfortunately that poor soul was not me. I was behind you turning on to Peoria from 21st. I was going to try and give you a thumbs up but you hung a left before I could catch up.

I forgot that Caffiene was this weekend. Maybe I’ll see you there.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > MKVJunkle
03/14/2019 at 17:43

Ahh! Ok yeah that was post-bail haha

MM54 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
03/14/2019 at 20:04

I’m with the other people who say make sure the float isn’t too low. You’ve ruled out the simple fuel stuff, I believe.