93 Civic CX hatch, Canadian model, 244 000 km (the "clown car" featured on Tegger's site, FYI).I've had a broken ball joint and a ruptured Canadian Tire tire in the past month and a half (I blame a pothole) but the other two problems have me much more concerned.Six weeks ago, spontaneous failure to start. Cranked but did little else. After being towed to a CAA-approved garage, the ignition control module was found to be faulty and was replaced. Also, oil had leaked up high around all four plugs (which was blamed for the failure of the ICM). We had replaced the valve gaskets 2 years prior. A new gasket set was installed.Car ran sort of OK for the next four weeks. The subsequent two weeks, we started having start problems (had to crank it twice or three times) and the low idle seemed a little sputtery. It also seemed to be a little sluggish as well. We chocked it up to the car needing a tune-up having last been done around 2 years ago.After leaving the car in the lot for the weekend, spontaneous failure to start returned on Sunday. Something along the lines of crank-crank-crank-crank-crank - SPUTTER-SPUTTER crank-crank-crank etc. - different than last time. A gasoline smell came after cranking a few times. No oil was observed around the plugs. No check engine light. PGM-FI relay seemed to be clicking as it should, fuel was pumping, decent spark, etc. The oil was down a bit, but still above the 'fill' dot on the dipstick.I got the car towed to my regular mechanic who is now of the opinion that the engine needs to be replaced. I intend to go to the garage and have him better convince me of this before I shell out bucks for an engine replacement, but I have a few questions that are lingering...1.) The mechanic warned us (2 1/2 years ago) that leaving the oil-leak-around-the-plugs problem could result in catastrophic engine failure. I've not found any Internet source that can verify this story. Any opinions?2.) Any chance that the ECM could be screwy? I can't see it being...

IMO, it shouldn't. I suppose it is possible, but usually replacing theseals should solve the issue.I doubt it. The ECM is pretty hardy. Unless it was covered in water (carin a flood), the ECM should last pretty damned near forever.Yes.

'93 Civic CX - DIED in parking lot?!?

May 29, 2007 23 Replies

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Michael Pardee 19 years ago

Could it be the oil filter is aftermarket with no (or inadequate) antiflowback valve?

Mike

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jim beam 19 years ago

mean:

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what oil are you using?

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madmanguruman 19 years ago

5W-30.

Dunno about the oil filter (will have to take a look).

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jim beam 19 years ago

er, ok, what BRAND oil are you using? whatever it is, change to a quality reputable brand. when in doubt, i use castrol.

fresh oil filter helps.

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