ONKA

1. I believe going with a regular oil at this stage is the best course. I will also look into the fuel pump, filter and perhaps the injection system.

2. Does anyone have any idea what the CODES I looked up mean? (Refering to previous post)

Thanks a Mil.
R.
(togfer.com)

kleski

Code 1 is the Oxygen Sensor. I am no expert mechanic but I do know my 89 Civic very well. I think if you check your exhaust flow you will find that it is seriously diminished. Is the converter stock??? I have 212k on my car and I just changed my converter out. I had similar symptoms to this!!! And ONKA, there are alot of people on this board who are just "shadetree" mechanics, thats why I always give suggestions as to what the problems might be. I too got bad advice hear from people who went straight to giving worst case senario advice. Good luck and let us know when you fix the problem.

jaje

probably one of the hardest things to do is to diagnose a problem without looking at the patient...this is just like a doctor trying to give advice solely over the phone or through email...you can never replace the fact that taking your car to a proper mechanic who can actually diagnose the car itself will always be the most efficient route

just getting advice over the internet about a car problem will only lead you to have to sift through those who are not qualified to diagnose your vehicle

ONKA

Yo,

First of all, I really appreciate the advice and opinions that everyone has to offer. I have owned many used cars and have a practical knowledge of how to repair 'shade-tree' type things, which is why Im gathering as much info about this little Honda as I can. The most valuable information, however, is from first-hand 'experience', ie: "this is what ACTUALLY happened to me, perhaps this could be what's happening to you".

I don't get too tied up in a knot or stressed about the 'ifs, coulds, maybes' becuase that would cause me to drop a couple G's off the bat - but why bother.

Secondly, I Realize that Doctors do need to look at their patients first hand to actually get an idea of which nut to turn (or snip, in some cases). In light of this fact, I actually do have a VERY trusted, long-time honda mechanic that charges me extrodinarily CHEAP, FLAT rates to fix anything. Sound funny? Nah. Example: Why would you take your kid to the doctor to get a lung operation when he's just got a little cough? Get some cough medicine first and see what happens, right?

You guys catch my drift. All this information gathering will help me get a SCOPE of what's possible, and what I may be able to do simply and cheaply enough before the surgeon gets out the 'ol scalpel.

Keep your ideas coming, Good Sh*t.
R.

JOKE: "What happens to a lawyer when he takes Viagra?"
ANSWER: "rellat sworg eH" (read backwards)

kleski

I know this is getting off the subject but I understand exactly what you guys are saying about collecting the info and helping out with "what happened to me advice". That's why I gave the advice I did. I have owned my 89 civic since it was shipped to me in Germany and she's got alot of miles racked on her. I have done most of my own mechanical work on her but the biggest stump I ever got was the converter problem I had back in March. I used this forum to try to get ideas on what could be the problem but all I got was worst case senarios and such. We can all learn from what happened to each auto problem we have had and sharing that info is good so we can help others who may have the same problems. I hope I have not offended anyone by talking about "shadetree" mechanics. Perhaps a better term would have been wrenchless mechanics? Anyway, I hope that whatever the problems people have with their Hondas, they will follow up and let us in on what the solution really was so we all have a better understanding of our own cars.

kleski

BTW, what's the latest on the problem??

ONKA

First off, Kleski, you've been a gem - all is good. All opinions are welcome and free to give. I believe EVERYONE has been very helpful.

Solution; Thanks for asking...not yet. I havent gone to my fabled mechanic yet for lack of dough ($). Until then I'll have to sit on my sh*tty gas milage for a couple more weeks.

Cheers,
R.