Rep Power: 266

I installed a new throttle body gasket recently. I removed the IAC valve to clean the throttle body. I retorqued everything to Honda shop manual specs. The engine light has come on twice for intake air control, the second time after I cleared the code. Rechecked everything, it's all good. The IAC valve stems are corroded due to the previous owner running water through the car. Car worked fine for 100 miles after I double checked (re-tightened) everything.

After the light comes on, the car has a tendancy to idle at high RPM. It dies down after 6-10 seconds. I'm guessing to about 1500rpm. When I depress the gas a little bit, it goes into a zone where the engine is shacking back and forth as if it's VERY LOW in rpm. So we have high RPM on one hand, but when the gas is pressed I'm getting low RPM in relation to pedal depression. When I drive the car, the RPM's feel really low. If I turn off the car while coasting, and then turn it back on, the problem goes away every time.

I have been having coolant issues for a while now. I know there is a leak I can't fix in at least one hose. The resevoir tank isn't oscilating up and down in relation to hot/cold engine heat. It just stays flat. Could this be the problem?

 
Rep Power: 811

you must reset the ecu and do idle learn especially after removing the TB. it will throw the idle way off. if that doesnt fix it, you need a new throttle body assembly usually $50 on ebay, make sure its manual/auto based on your car.

 
Rep Power: 266

I will try it thanks!

 
Rep Power: 266

I know how to do an ECU reset, but not an idle learn. Can't find consistant info on it.

 
Rep Power: 266

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I accidentily tore my new OEM intake manifold (not TB) gasket through the thin part, so it may be causing a minor vacuum leak. Could that be it? I got so hasty at the last minute you wouldn't believe it.

 
Rep Power: 0

Yes, that could definitely be causing issues. That o-ring needs to seal perfectly.

Idle re-learn is easy. After you reset the ECU, turn the car back on and don't **** with it for like 15 minutes. Everything should be off (radio, lights, de-frogger, etc..).

 
Rep Power: 266

Why do you call it an 0-ring? The only o-ring on the intake gasket is a metal ring through which the coolant flows. The rest is some weird cardboard type material.

 
Rep Power: 0

Reading owns me. I thought you were talking about the TB to IM o-ring. .....Wait a minute. You edited your post. I could have sworn you said you tore the TB gasket. Looks I need to start quoting folks again.

 
Rep Power: 266

I was originally talking about the TB and how I cleaned the IAC, but as for the post you replied to, I never mentioned which gasket so I changed it.

Do you think I could be getting IAC issue from a small intake gasket leak? (air not coolant) Also I've been smelling sulfer as of the past 2 weeks. What the hell? Catalyst converter?

 
Rep Power: 0

Sulfur? That's a weird one. Burnt coolant smells like pancakes and syrup, not sulfur. Yes a leaky IM gasket on your Civic could cause IACV issues. Any leak in the IM will cause weird problems. I'd fix that first before you try to troubleshoot anything else.

 
Rep Power: 266

Thanks. Parts arrive thursday, so I should be doing all this stuff on friday after school. I am going to clean the IAC, FITV, and EGR, then do another TB cleaning since I could have gotten more stuff off last time. Then I will check RPM.

One thing is for sure, after the ECU reset and idle learn, my car still doesn't behave right. It works semi-normal now, but the power isn't there. It's like I'm carrying a full load of people. -_-

 
Rep Power: 811

sounds like a clogged cat

 
Rep Power: 266

Clogged with what? Maybe I got a cat sucked into the intake? Do cats ever need to be replaced? Can I clean it myself?

 
Rep Power: 0

Sometimes the catalyst element will break loose in the cat and fall causing a blockage. The element is a very fine honeycomb, ceramic-based material that if it gets cattywhompus (technical term) in there it will block the exhaust. This isn't very common unless you've removed the cat and banged it around a bit or you happen to own one of the rare ones where the cat just goes bad. Fix the intake manifold leak issue first and then we'll see what's what.

 
Rep Power: 811

if youve ever seen a new cat, it looks clogged already lol. but running rich can ruin it in no time. ive heard alot of case where it hurts performance. heck even importtuner tested an older maita and they gained something like 15 whp just replacing the messed up cat.

 
Rep Power: 266

Well I got my parts today, but I'm worried about the coolant bushing that runs through the intake manifold. It might have a leak in it, but I can't be certain. Do you guys know a reliable fix or would I need a new intake?

God, this engine is so corporatized it makes me want to cry. And Toyota? They are even WORSE. Never buy a Toyota if you like to work on cars. From the cars I've experienced, Subaru has a okay engine layout. Honda layout sucks. And toyota is terrible. 1st and 2nd gen Saturn own them. It has a timing chain which you never need to replace, and 1 serpentine belt. Super motor mounts, fantastic manual tranny, and ummm... bomb engine/component layout. Not to mention they are sex. ^_^

 
Rep Power: 266

Oh hell, just installed all new hoses and the bushing is leaking from somewhere. Son of a bitch. Does anyone know what I can do? Don't tell me I need a new intake just because of the ****ing bushing.

Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

The new hoses smell good though.

 
Rep Power: 266

Well I J-B welded that bitch. I don't have time for anything better. The barb coming out of the intake manifold has a fatty hole in it at the joint. There's a big barb, and a small barb coming out of that, and the holse is where they meet.

I don't have enough time to let it dry fully, I sure the hell hope it holds. It says 4-6 hours before handling, then let it sit overnight before use. All I can spare is 4 hours as I have to go back to school tomorrow. -_-

 
Rep Power: 237

Sulfer is the cat going bad...happened to my mom's A4 a while ago.

Good luck getting it fixed!