Hi,

I have a 1999 Honda CRV with 142K miles. At 130K I started to have
the low idle issue and my Check Engine light came on. Using the
service connector I read the code as "Random Misfire". My V was due
for a big tuneup so I went nuts and replaced the timing belt, water
pump, thermostat, plugs, wires, rotor and adjusted the valves. The
valve clearances were under spec (tight) which surprised me.

The good news: CRV is running great and check engine light has gone
off (I think this was the timing belt) and I'm getting great gas
mileage.

The not-so-good news:
My idle is still low and I have the idle screw open *REALLY* far.
Also I'm getting a pinging sound/valve noise when I first start it
in the morning and all day long during light accelerations. It seems
like I'm running too lean (it sounds like preignition),

I've checked/adjusted a few things with no luck:
- That my timing belt was setup correctly about 3 times now.
- Adjusted timing belt tension twice.
- Tried adjusting the ignition timing advancing and retarding about
5 degrees from spec.
- Added fuel injector cleaner
- Tried using high octane fuel (ouch at these prices!).
- Bleed out the coolant system.

One thing that really stinks is that I broke that hard and fast rule
about doing one thing at a time. By changing all that stuff at once
it's really tough to figure out what's up :-)

I was thinking about readjusting the valves to the lowest end of the
spec to close the clearance up a bit. Also I might try checking the
MAP sensor since I think this might be causing the low idle issue.

Has anyone ever seen an issue like this? Any ideas welcome!?!

syberlapoint

You might start checking all your vacuum lines a small crack can cause this.

HTH,Bob

For the pinging, I would try mid-grade fuel (89 octane) if you use the
regular 87 octane now. Try premium if you already use mid-grade, though you
shouldn't need it. As far as the idle, we had a problem on my wife's Mazda
Protege where it idled too low, especially if the A/C was on. The dealer
cleaned out the fuel injectors because there was no idle adjustment, and
that worked great. I haven't heard much about having the fuel injectors
getting cleaned on the CRV's, is that a regular service item at some point?
With that many miles, you might need them cleaned I'm guessing. I don't
think the fuel injector cleaner (bottled stuff) does much.
- Larry


>I have a 1999 Honda CRV with 142K miles. At 130K I started to have
the low idle issue and my Check Engine light came on. Using the
service connector I read the code as "Random Misfire". My V was due
for a big tuneup so I went nuts and replaced the timing belt, water
pump, thermostat, plugs, wires, rotor and adjusted the valves. The
valve clearances were under spec (tight) which surprised me.

The good news: CRV is running great and check engine light has gone
off (I think this was the timing belt) and I'm getting great gas
mileage.

The not-so-good news:
My idle is still low and I have the idle screw open *REALLY* far.
Also I'm getting a pinging sound/valve noise when I first start it
in the morning and all day long during light accelerations. It seems
like I'm running too lean (it sounds like preignition),

I've checked/adjusted a few things with no luck:
- That my timing belt was setup correctly about 3 times now.
- Adjusted timing belt tension twice.
- Tried adjusting the ignition timing advancing and retarding about
5 degrees from spec.
- Added fuel injector cleaner
- Tried using high octane fuel (ouch at these prices!).
- Bleed out the coolant system.

One thing that really stinks is that I broke that hard and fast rule
about doing one thing at a time. By changing all that stuff at once
it's really tough to figure out what's up :-)

I was thinking about readjusting the valves to the lowest end of the
spec to close the clearance up a bit. Also I might try checking the
MAP sensor since I think this might be causing the low idle issue.

Has anyone ever seen an issue like this? Any ideas welcome!?!

syberlapoint