MKEMEFMS’s 1998 Civic EX JDM Project

[Ohio_EJ8]

What’s up CC!

I’m Joey and I’m new to the forums! I just wanted to share my project/build with you guys as my first post so that I could get some tips and tricks from you guys and so that I can converse about this project with you guys on the regular thru this post!


One week ago, we bought this 1998 Honda Civic EX for $1000 with a couple of issues...

Known Car Specs & Mods
- Bone Stock d16y8 VTEC
- Original owner lowered it 2” on New Cut Springs
- Aftermarket Bluetooth Media Player
- Straight piped stock exhaust
- Sanded & Painted (by Me) Steelies

Known issues:
- Bad Oil Leak (coming from either the oil pan gasket, or elsewhere.)
- Idled at 4000-4500 rpms
- Check Engine light was on (unknown reason)
- Front driver fender needed replaced (dented)
- eBay JDM Gold License Plate Relocator

Once we got it home, first thing first. Take care of the oil leak! So I jacked up the front and looked at the oil pan. I didn’t really see a leak coming from around it. However, I did see that the oil filter was dented asf and it looked cracked. That was obviously why there was such a bad leak!

So I did a complete oil change, new filter, fresh oil. Wiped off most of the oil area and that seemed to have been my answer! Haven’t dropped a single drip since!

The IAC Valve needed to be cleaned. Doing so has brought down the rpms to a steady 1500 in park and when in gear, it stays at 800 rpms. Hoping new spark plugs and wires will bring that idling down more.

Lastly, the weird but good thing. I told you guys the check engine light was on but nobody knew why (didn’t run for codes or anything since it hasn’t been moved since bringing it home.)

Well I decided to clean the engine bay and plastics up a bit since there was some dirt accumulation. I cleaned the entire intake system. I put it all back together. Start it up and let it sit for a minute.... and poof! The check engine light is off. Idk why but I’m completely fine with it!

Bought the license plate relocator and threw that on the front. Still waiting on my gold fender/bumper quick fasteners and my gold valve stem caps to come in the mail.

Love Or Hate It? Either way, I have big plans for her and I want to share every step of the way with you guys. Thanks for reading. Hopefully the pictures worked!

 

[L!r0N]

Good luck man. [emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ohio_EJ8]

Good luck man. [emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]


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Thanks bro! Me & the wife have big plans! #JDMCPL

 

[civteck]

Nice project car, keep us updated.

Sent from my boujea ass phone

 

[Ohio_EJ8]

Nice project car, keep us updated.

Sent from my boujea ass phone

Thanks bro!

 

[Ohio_EJ8]

So I woke up this morning and it was about 55 degrees out. I started her up first try no issues, no check engine light. A few hours later I go out to start her up and she won’t start.

It turns over and tries to start but to no avail. I give her a couple of tries but still nothing. So I took off my air intake, sprayed carb cleaner & parts cleaner into the iac and let it sit for a few minutes. I then put my intake back on and give her a shot. At first nothing for the first few tries. Then I try again and she slowly catches and runs but very groggy.

After a few minutes a little smoke comes out the exhaust and it starts to run normal. I let her run for a few minutes and shut her off. I start her back up and she’s good, however my check engine light is back on.

Anybody have any clue what’s going on? It was like it was clogged and I could kinda smell gasoline inside the car when I was trying to get her to starts. Could it be the fuel pump?

I just started her up with no issues 10 minutes ago with no issue. Check engine light is still on tho.

Thoughts?

 

[ImportFan1]

Welcome. What part of Ohio you from?

 

[Ohio_EJ8]

Welcome. What part of Ohio you from?

Thank ya man! I’m from nasty ass Hamilton.

 

[Ohio_EJ8]

Update on idling issue and check engine light:

I did a small test today to see if it could be my Idle Air Control Valve that could be giving me my idling issue.

I started the car and I let it warm up. The RPMs bounceed between 2200 & 2500 when in Park & Neutral. I’m gear, it drops down to 1500 rpms.

Next I shut off the car and unplugged the IAC Valve. I then started my car back up and let it run for a few minutes. Now IF my IAC Valve was working properly, then my RPMs should read differently. If the RPMs are still the same, then my IAC Valve isn’t working at all.

Turns out with it disconnect or connected, either way, she still has a bouncy idle of 2200 to 2500 in Park & Neutral, and RPMs were 1500 while in gear.

Would my hypothesis be correct? Could it be the IAC Valve that is causing the engine to idle rough as well as my check engine light being on?

Before I buy a new IAC Valve, I’m gonna check tomorrow to see if the computer throws any codes. Also I am going to check to see if there is air in my coolant system which I read could also cause me issues with idling rough and stalling out.

Thoughts??

**On a side note... here’s a shot of her from this morning!**

 

[civteck]

Engine shots needed..

Sent from my boujea ass phone

 

[Ohio_EJ8]

Engine shots as requested from @civteck

 

[Ohio_EJ8]

The final shot is after cleaning it up a bit

 

[Mr.Baker]

Check engine light is still on tho.

Thoughts?

Instead of just guessing and throwing money at it for parts you might not need, have you hooked it up to run the code(s) and see what it actually is?

 

[Ohio_EJ8]

Instead of just guessing and throwing money at it for parts you might not need, have you hooked it up to run the code(s) and see what it actually is?

No not yet. As I mentioned, today I am going to see what codes the ecu throws and then go from there.

As I am replying to this, I am also taking this time to freshen up some of the faded black plastics. I’ll post pics of that when I’m done!

Add me on Snapchat @ JoeSmokesHiDro to see the project as I take it a step at a time.

 

[Mr.Baker]

Add me on Snapchat @ JoeSmokesHiDro to see the project as I take it a step at a time.

Unfortunately, I do not do the Snapchat....

 

[Ohio_EJ8]

I just finished painting the grill & lower bumper grill and I must say, it looks 10 times better!

In about an hour from now, I will have the ECU checked to see what codes it throws. I’ll update you guys when I know!

 

[Mr.Baker]

What happened to the driver side fender?

 

[Ohio_EJ8]

What happened to the driver side fender?

f**k if I know. Looks like the previous owner beat the s**t out of it with a hammer haha. I’ll be buying new genders and bumper over the next month or 2.

 

[Ohio_EJ8]

So I painted the housings of my headlights black. Turned out pretty damn good! Only complaint that I have is the foggyness/dull look the front lens has.

Anyone know how to clear them up? The Black Housing would show thru and look cleaner.

 

[Mr.Baker]

For all the work and time you have into those headlights, you would have been money ahead buying new black housing lights.
If/when you do clean the lenses, they never keep clean for very long.