Gsx455

Help, had p1399, p0300, p0301 p0302, 0303,0304 codes, told by dealer it was a bad head.
Replaced the head with a rebuild, installed it, good for a year, then the codes are back, same as before. Plug number one shows some signs of oil fouling, can bad rings cause this CEL? Replaced plugs, new NGK wires, cap still same codes.
Thanks

lazlong

Yes. Although I would check for headgasket failure first.

Gsx455

Thanks but I used a new head gasket, and it has good compression and there is no water in the oil, so the head gasket is fine.
I've heard the catalytic converter causing problems.

dpcpeoriaserver

intake manifold gasket leak. it will throw all those codes and the multiple random misfire code should make your cel flash. how is the idle? rough and kind of poppy out of the exhaust? check it with carb cleaner spray around the intake manifold and if it sucks it in and smooths it all out that is the problem. the reason its worked for a year is because they put a new one on it when the head was done. depending on the quality of the gasket used...

Gsx455

Thanks, I was going to try adjusting the valves too. I' ve heard this can.cause the same codes.
what is more likely, valves or gasket?

Gsx455

I forgot to mention I also checked compression, it is too high.
#1 - 198 psi
#2 - 200 psi
#3 - 189 psi
#4 - 195psi.

The error codes say 1,2 and 4 are showing misfires. would adjusting valves help with the compression? this is s VTEC head on a Y7 block, so the compression might be nigher.

Thanks for the help.

drewster

having the same issues with me 2000 civic sir vtec engine too. Replaced the spark plugs and checked them the next day and the one in cylinder 3 hadnt sparked at all. IT was also covered in oil. The others were blackish from sparking. Im going to get a compression test to help find wats wrong wil get back to you.

Newfiedan

For drewster check the valve cover gasket, your plugs should not be black that indicates a problem right there, it usually means your plug wires are bad, so replace them. Now onto Gsx455 adjusting valves will not relieve high compression, you have either a timing issue or bad carbon buildup in the cylinders. A timing issue will cause the valves to not open at the correct time causing incorrect compression. Also keep in mind that if they did machine the head and used a stock gasket the compression will be slightly different as taking material off the head without compensating with a thicker gasket it can increase compression.

drewster

Had compression test done and cylinder 3 showed nothing. I ended up pulling my engine out of the car and took the head off. THe top of cylinder 3 piston looked slightly warped on the one side. Then i took the oilpan off and removed the piston from the cylinder to find out that there was a hole in the side of the piston close to the top. So i got an estimate to get my engine fixed and it came to $1500 so i decided to go with a JDM engine swap and put a gsr engine in. Engine came to $1800 with tax and shipping, and for about $200 on extras the swap is done i am just waiting for a obd2 to odb1 conversion harness to finish the swap off.

BlueEM2

iTrader: (1)

Good call... sometimes its way better to swap than to fix... but now its time for some pictures

drewster

ya it was definitly easyer i get some pics online soon too

fernando97honda

My 97 Honda Civic HX has its check engine light on, the codes I'm getting is P0303 and P1399. The car runs fine but I need to it to pass smog. I've already changed the spark plugs and wires, cap and rotor, cleaned out the EGR valve (Didn't really look dirty:had the EGR changed about 5 years ago) Also had the timing checked (distributor)and set to 12 degress +-2. Any advice? Thank you in advance.

Gsx455

I would check compression, if it about 160 psi on cylinder #3, then check the dizzy. If you have poor compression, that would be my guess
for the CEL.

jski007

History: I have a 1998 honda civic ex coupe with 227k on it and i bought it new. Almost everything is original and all factory(no modifications). For about 2 years now the check engine light has been going on and off every few hundred miles or so. The code was p0420(cat beyond threshold). a couple mechanics and my own research told me it could be a numerous amount of things and just keep driving it until something worse happens. btw, the light would be off everytime i had to inspect the car, luckily.

Well now it brings us to about 2 weeks ago. The car started to idle rough and then the light started blinking. Had the codes checked and it was a misfire on cylinder 3(p0303). And also the p0420 code read as well. So the shop at my work(Toyota) said to change the wires, cap, rotor, and plugs and that should fix the problem. Stupid me i said "ok". Turns out that didnt do squat. So $143 later i still had no fix to my problem . Then he said i should change the ignition coil. Luckliy i had a new one i had bought to have on hand and they replaced it no charge cause they felt bad. Anyway still no fix. So i start doing more research.

Turns out a compression test should be done. So i have my local Monro do that. Turns out my numbers read 180, 150, 70 and 190. Bad compression in cylinder 3. Now were getting somewhere. He told me that he's going to have to replace the head and that there could be further problems once he takes it off, like a cracked block or something. He said cost would be around $1300 just for the head portion. So i paid the guy $50 for the compression test, which i had no problem doing because he's getting to the problem. At this point I still don't feel confident just doing that so I called a mechanic that was referred to me and he wants to do some more diagnosing of the intake and idle control? before I go ahead and replace the head. Also I'm going to ask him to do a leak down test, if he wasn't already, and a vaccuum? test.

I just don't understand how my compression wasn't the first thing checked at Toyota. It wasn't like it was the code was reading all cylinders. There should be one standard procedure for diagnosing and not just changing things as trial and error. That's absurd!!!

Are there any ideas anyone has that would help me here?? Thank you

lazlong

Dealers are notoriously ineffective. You would be much better with the local independent Honda mechanic, there's usually one in your area.

Yes, a leakdown is in order to determine where the compression loss is.

I can probably tell you what happened. With the P420 code either the O2 sensor or the catalytic converter is going bad causing the computer to make it run lean which burned out a valve(s) or your piston rings. If it's the head you're gonna have to replace the head and the cat converter and when you replace the cat you need the replace the sensors as well. If it's the rings you might as well replace the the whole engine, cat, and sensors. No matter what you do you're gonna have to replace the cat and sensors. You're looking at probably $2000 minimum in repairs.

jski007

ok thank you that makes sense, unfortunetly for me. But aren't the o2 sensors picking up the error to send to the computer in turn getting my reading? Wouldn't they be working correctly then? Just wondering because if i could change the cat and not the 02 sensors that would save some more dough. I'm getting a leak down test done today.

lazlong

^^ Couldn't hurt to try.

jski007

I did go to another mechanic, an expert on engines, and he removed the head cover, did a quick few feel tests on the valves and had someone turn over the engine and said that i need a valve job. He would rebuild the head. But if it's burning oil then wouldn't that be the bottom end? Like a bad ring in cylinder 3? He said there is no knocking and that it could be a good head to rebuild. Should I just rebuild the whole motor? I thought that civic motors could go and easy 300k without any problems?? For some reason no one will do a leak down test, I'll totally pay for it I don't get it....

sdaidoji

iTrader: (1)

the valve seals are in the head...

jski007

Had a leak down test done and come to find out the head gasket is bad, air was shooting down the 3rd cylinder right out cylinder 2. My car has been in the shop since last friday, he said i should have the head redone as well. So that went out to a machine shop. It was also a blown head gasket for sure. I'm getting charged $630 for the rebuilt head and about $500 labor for taking the head off and putting it back on. I should have it back friday or monday, hope it runs fine after......

BlueEM2

iTrader: (1)

That's an expensive head rebuild job.... Generally they check it for trueness and clean it up. I hope for that price your getting a full dismantle and checkover. Oil burning could definitely be the result of a head gasket.

lazlong

Along with that, if it's been 60K miles or more since you changed it then you need to change the timing belt/waterpump too as they already have to take the timing belt off to get the heads off.

jski007

Just replaced the timing belt and all belts for that matter at 210k so that's all set. Got my car back and runs excellent, a lot quieter too and feels like more power. The only thing the mechanic forgot is to put the exhaust manifold cover back on, does that make a difference or is that pretty much for looks only? The total for my head rebuild for the garage labor, all new gaskets and the machine shop was $1150, hope it's gonna be worth it....

BlueEM2

iTrader: (1)

1150 isn't bad if he did a complete rebuild job on the head