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View Poll Results: Have you ever had upper engine or valve train problems on a 7th gen Civic?
Yes; turned out to be an electrical wiring or sensor problem.
I have an 02 Civic LX experiencing TDC (Top Dead Center) sensor problems. I am getting the P1361 diagnostic trouble code (TDC Sensor Intermittent Failure). I have gotten the code twice now (both times during freeway travel on 75°F+ days). As you probably know if you are reading this post, the car then proceeds to go into "limp mode" and when shut off and restarted seems to function fine; the CEL going off after 50 or so miles of travel. I have spoken to a Honda engine machine shop in Arizona as well as one of the guys over at Hontech (Chandler, AZ). After reading some forums on this topic, I was very fearful of the camshaft end-play problem (>0.5mm). Based on what I've recently learned and my previous experience with Honda, it is very unlikely that the camshaft and/or bearings have worn that far. The car has 150,000 miles on it and I hear the fuel injectors over the very minimal valve lash noise. Hontech confirmed my theory and stated that in most cases it is a sensor or wiring problem and that the valve train would be very noisy if end-play was enough to cause the trouble code. The machine shop said they never do work on heads and cams because of camshaft endplay. Based on my research, I am going to go ahead and buy a new sensor ($55 ish), and also replace the timing belt and timing belt tensioner.
I will continue to update this thread as I learn/do more with the problem. If anyone has any details or advice for me, please feel free to post and let me know.
Thank you,
Jeremiah
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I am a hard core DIY'er with 2 ASE certified Master Mechanics as good friends (in case something goes terribly wrong); Therefore, all mods and repair on my Civic are done by me:
Python Security and Remote Start System
Full Tint (5% Rear & 35% Front Sides)
LED Dash Bulb Swap
Aftermarket Fogs
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I'll definitely be doing the work myself, so labor costs are not an issue. But I figure it would be foolish to be in that far and not replace the belt and tensioner while I'm at it.
I am a hard core DIY'er with 2 ASE certified Master Mechanics as good friends (in case something goes terribly wrong); Therefore, all mods and repair on my Civic are done by me:
Python Security and Remote Start System
Full Tint (5% Rear & 35% Front Sides)
LED Dash Bulb Swap
Aftermarket Fogs
I am a hard core DIY'er with 2 ASE certified Master Mechanics as good friends (in case something goes terribly wrong); Therefore, all mods and repair on my Civic are done by me:
Python Security and Remote Start System
Full Tint (5% Rear & 35% Front Sides)
LED Dash Bulb Swap
Aftermarket Fogs
I noticed that 04 Civic and Gearbox have polled that they've had problems with their 7th gen valve train / upper engine. Could you please post what the problmes were and what the cause was, if you know?
I am a hard core DIY'er with 2 ASE certified Master Mechanics as good friends (in case something goes terribly wrong); Therefore, all mods and repair on my Civic are done by me:
Python Security and Remote Start System
Full Tint (5% Rear & 35% Front Sides)
LED Dash Bulb Swap
Aftermarket Fogs
my headgasket blew, mainly from installing aftermarket ported cylinder head that i think was milled too much causing higher compression (200 psi instead of stock 135 psi). also had my vtec solenoid fail later but that happened by itself. replaced the head with a stock piece and new vtec solenoid and since then the car is doing fine. stuff happens.
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yea what he said. except I am really not sure what caused my headgasket to crack. Although the head was fine along with everything else. If it was done at a shop at 40k ago ultimately it is up to you to decide weather or not to do it. Personally I think I would just keep that water pump but just make sure you dont over do it if you still have the car. (By over do it I mean change the timing belt and water the next time around at the right service interval)
I am a hard core DIY'er with 2 ASE certified Master Mechanics as good friends (in case something goes terribly wrong); Therefore, all mods and repair on my Civic are done by me:
Python Security and Remote Start System
Full Tint (5% Rear & 35% Front Sides)
LED Dash Bulb Swap
Aftermarket Fogs
I replaced my sensor 2 weeks ago, car kind of drives sluggish when the A/C is on sometimes tho, its a hit or miss. Worst thing it did with me before tho was it like totally when from 80 to 45 on the highway. It doesn't do that anymore. I'm going to be doing maintenance to the car(ex: timing belt, water pump) so hopefully that helps..Car is at 116k miles btw
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Alright, the Arizona heat finally got to the Civic. My AC Compressor clutch kept failing, and the Cam sensor problem came back; so I ended up doing some work in the 100 degree garage.
New Cam Sensor - 65 bucks at the local Honda Dealer (This fixed all "limp Mode" problems)
Valve lash adjustment - This works wonders on lifter noise. I wasn't more than 5 or 10 thousandths over spec, so I didn't get my hopes up, but that valve train is silent now; All I can hear are the injectors.
I picked up an AC compressor from a Junk yard, it was off an '04, with only 40,000 miles on it. They sold it to me for 100 bucks.
Now I'm back to a reliable quiet running Honda with cold AC.
I am a hard core DIY'er with 2 ASE certified Master Mechanics as good friends (in case something goes terribly wrong); Therefore, all mods and repair on my Civic are done by me:
Python Security and Remote Start System
Full Tint (5% Rear & 35% Front Sides)
LED Dash Bulb Swap
Aftermarket Fogs
Yes, cam sensor and TDC (Top Dead Center) sensor are the same thing. It's the little guy that mounts at about 4 o'clock by the cam gear. You have to pull quite a bit just to get down to it; which is why I did a valve lash adjustment while I was in there. I've got the service instructions from All Data if you would like I can email them to you. Just shoot me an email at jeremiah.wooley@gmail.com.
I am a hard core DIY'er with 2 ASE certified Master Mechanics as good friends (in case something goes terribly wrong); Therefore, all mods and repair on my Civic are done by me:
Python Security and Remote Start System
Full Tint (5% Rear & 35% Front Sides)
LED Dash Bulb Swap
Aftermarket Fogs
