1998 civic ex troubleshooting

[TXsilverado]

i got this little car as my daily gas getter and retired the silverado to a weekend warrior. i felt like i got a good deal since it has 101,000 miles, leather, auto, disk changer, e-windows. the first thing i noticed when driving the car was it sounds like it may be pinging. when i accelerate moderately it sounds like theres a midget under the hood shaking an empty coke can with a couple bb's in it. are the converters typically a problem? or should i stick with the pinging theory. i changed the plugs to NGK, ran a can of seafoam through the tank and changed the fuel filter, and it still does it any suggestions on fixing this little annoyance?

second: the exhaust is kinda loud?!? it has the stock exhaust and it seems kinda loud to me. is that normal of the year model? its not super loud like other civics with aftermarket mufflers but it does have a deep hum to it. i dont want to be steriotyped as a "ricer" hahaha. no offence to any of you who buzz around proudly.

last of all, are there any little things i can do to get better mileage. i know changing the driving habits, air in tires, a/c blah blah. im talking about simple/cheap/free modifications that may help. its an automatic 4 banger getting roughly 30mpg with the A/C on full blast 24/7 (im in texas and its not turning off!!!)

thanks for any help/advice you guys have to offer.

 

[TXsilverado]

oh and welcome me to the forums

 

[Jimmy2times]

welome! enjoy your stay.

 

[Ian123]

they didnt make 6th gens with leather seats....but 30 mpg is pretty average mileage for your car. try putting in a clean air filter that might help a little depending how dirty the one in there now is

 

[SilverEXCoupe]

they didnt make 6th gens with leather seats....but 30 mpg is pretty average mileage for your car. try putting in a clean air filter that might help a little depending how dirty the one in there now is

Aftermarket seats? Could be the valves need adjusting. Just a thought.

 

[TXsilverado]

they didnt make 6th gens with leather seats....but 30 mpg is pretty average mileage for your car. try putting in a clean air filter that might help a little depending how dirty the one in there now is

haha thats interesting! yeah it definately has leather in it all the way around. 1998 4 door automatic.

how do i adjust the valves on one of these sideways motors??? sorry for the ignorance. this is my first non american motor to tinker with.

 

[TXsilverado]

and thanks for the ideas and info.

 

[SilverEXCoupe]

how do i adjust the valves on one of these sideways motors??? sorry for the ignorance. this is my first non american motor to tinker with.

Please don't take my advice as what to do. But when I hear ticking I think valves.

 

[chunktwo]

i would think it needs the valve lash adjusted... the loud stock exhaust is probably cause there is a hole in the exhaust piping.. mine broke at the weld from the pipe to the muffler...

hope that helps

 

[TXsilverado]

i would think it needs the valve lash adjusted... the loud stock exhaust is probably cause there is a hole in the exhaust piping.. mine broke at the weld from the pipe to the muffler...

hope that helps

actually i think i figured everything out today. changed the oil and found a loose head shield on the exhaust. didnt fix it on the spot because i didnt have the stuff to do it right. i found the hole in my exhaust too. right in front of the muffler on top of the pipe is a hole about the size of a nickle. plug that up and its whisper quiet

 

[wazup_74]

Well i hope what you found solves your problems. Here is a write up on adjusting the valves. I figure you'll still want that info.
http://www.georgebelton.com/6g.civic.tech/valve.clearance/index.php
As far as seats go, leather was a dealer installed option not factory. or maybe previous owner just took it to a shop. Either way good pick up and good luck.

 

[SilverEXCoupe]

when i accelerate moderately it sounds like theres a midget under the hood shaking an empty coke can with a couple bb's in it.

Post pics please and did you ever find out if it was a midget under there? That's not what is meant by a mini me swap BTW.

 

[TXsilverado]

Post pics please and did you ever find out if it was a midget under there? That's not what is meant by a mini me swap BTW.

no pics of the beater civic...just my Muscletruck no midget. it is a loose heat shield thats still not fixed. it doesnt bother me as much now that i know what it is. here is the truck

its a 2001 silverado with a Heads/Cam/Nitrous/full bolt on LS1 from a late model Camaro. stage 2 LS6 heads and a healthy 200 shot of nitrous to come. 4.10 gears, posi and built transmission push it.

best times so far are 12.1@110mph on motor with a 1.69 60' time. the new bigger converter should be in by the end of the month. the nitrous is not completely installed yet. just mouned up. im in over my head with all of the wiring

 

[rey rey]

nice truck. welcome! post pics of the leather seats in the civic.

 

[Raabe]

i hate chevy...

but respect, none the less


(sounds like valves ticking)

 

[R3dline]

yah i had a ss camaro before i got into honda about 6 years ago, that car turned me against american cars, it was a total pos that was in the shop every other week, but none the less , nice truck and good luck with your civic

 

[R3dline]

yah i had a ss camaro before i got into honda about 6 years ago, that car turned me against american cars, it was a total pos that was in the shop every other week, but none the less , nice truck and good luck with your civic

 

[R3dline]

sorry for the double post, computer froze and i hit the button twice

 

[Jas0nEK]

I buzz around proudly.