So as some of you know, I got in a car accident two weeks ago, and my car was totaled. But I had my trusty civic to drive. Key word had. So I go to my friends house the other day, and it's making a squeeking noise. It went away at higher RPM. On the way to my friends house it seems like my car is losing power, and I start smelling something burning. So I figured I'd just make it there instead of pulling over and having something happen. I was kinda pissed already, so I just turn it off, and leave it. Later that night I go to start it up, and it has a hard time kicking, and when it finally starts, it sounds like crap. So I shut it off, and spend the night. I thought it was the alternator, because I quickly popped the hood when I got there, and it looked like the alternator was smoking. BTW it smelt like brakes too, so I was kind of, I guess puzzled. So today I changed the alternator (it needed it anyway), and the car still won't start. So I pull the plugs, and immediately smell gas, and the plugs were Black. I thought maybe changing the coil would help, because that was in need of a replacement too. So I change the plugs, and coil. Then we cranked it, and finally got it to start, but it was only running on one cylinder. By that time I was tired, frustrated, and cold, so I said ---- it, and decided to quit, and pursue it some other time. I'm kind of dumbfounded here. I didn't find coolant in the oil, or visa versa. But the coolant was low. I cranked it without a plug in it, and it shot out a mist of something. After I put in the new plugs, and cranked it; I pulled them back out, and they were black again. Not oil black, but flat, dry black. Oh, and the squeeking was not only still there, but worse too. So I'm now I'm frustrated, and just about ready to rip the thing apart. Right now the only thing I can think of is maybe a blown head gasket. But I really don't know. It would be awesome if someone could help me track this problem down.

PS: It's an '89 civic lx, w/ a stock DP D15B7

 

sounds like ignition, check plug wires with ohm meter. maybe cap and rotor?

 

so how's that timing belt? :P

 

Wires are fine. Haven't checked timing belt because the rotor spins when I crank it.

 

Was there a brown dust in the dizzy cap ?

 

sounds like the timing belt to me...could be why u have excessive fuel when u pulled ur plugs out...coulda been the belt that u smelled burning also...

 

Check grounds,main relay. Spark at the dist.

 

Yeah there was brown dust in the dizzy, and I know the seal is bad. But everything else looked good. I'll go check the timing this week. Thanks a bunch! Advice like this help a ---- ton!

 

I checked out my timing belt, and there were rubber shreds all over the inside of the shroud/timing belt housing. But all the teeth looked alright, considering...The timing looks alright. So I'll be changing the belt, and water pump, and maybe the tensioner too.