So I'm headed over to my girl's to check out her 97HX, 206K.

Said it started sputtering kinda bad, CEL would flash here and there but not constantly (its been on forever due to a funky EGR issue with HXs, but it actually flashed a few times sporadically today), and when she got home it smelled like burnt oil but didnt see any burnt oil on the ground from the car.

No smoking anywhere, just that smell.

I'm gonna take a closer look when I get there but any ideas of what might have happened? I just changed the oil 2 weeks ago, so unless it sprung a leak somewhere the oil level should be fine. Changed plugs, dizzy, wires 20K ago. Timing belt 20K ago.

Unless that burnt oil is burnt clutch, her clutch is almost toast, was planning on fixing it within the next month. But why would that make the CEL blink erratically? HMMMMMMMM let me know if you have any idea thanks!

 

Start by retrieving the CEL code(s) from the ECU (see link below). Write the codes down on paper, and then clear the ECU. When the CEL returns, again retrieve the code(s). Codes that repeat signal the need for further troubleshooting or repair.

http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread/1901557

Also check for a small amount of oil possibly dripping onto the exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, or exhaust pipe beneath the engine.

 

Thanks! Yeah, I was wondering how to get the CELs without driving to Advance auto parts.

So what is a 2 pin connector clip? Could you just use a bent paperclip (just guessing never done CELs this route before)

thnaks i need to get over there

 

Yeah, a paper clip should also work.

 

Flashing CEL means engine misfire has been detected.
Misfire conditions may produce high temperature exhaust gasses that can damage the catalytic converter.

Maybe your cat went bad (hence the smell) because of the misfires.

 

+1
This explanation for the oil burning smell is much more likely than the dripping oil theory I mentioned above.

 

ha! just a wire that popped off the distributor cap. go figure, thank goodness it was something easy. It was just the burnt oil smell that threw me, never did smell it myself. thanks anyway, learned how to read CELS without go to the auto parts store!

 

Recently my CEL came on, so I took it to my local dealership and the service guy told me that I had engine misfires, (I don't know how many) he ordered me a new ECM and 2 days later I had my car back. A week later I noticed a oily or gassy smell (for 3 weeks ive been smelling what seems to be equvilent of fumes from exhaust) while driving around, it comes and goes and sometimes its strong sometimes its light. I took it to the dealership again thinking maybe I needed some type of tuning / check for line leaks, but all was well from the fuel rail to filter to the gas tank.

Today I took it in to a indepentent shop and they couldn't find anything wrong with it aswell. I've been thinking it might be my cat and after reading what Solid_Snake said it just strenghtens my thoughts. I'm taking it to one another shop 2morrow to see what they can see, anyone have any other ideas what why im getting this smell.

TY HCF /sorry for the hijack

 

Did they tell you the exact trouble code?
I dont see why you need to replace the ECU before checking spark plugs, coil, distributor rotor, etc. Maybe they are trying to rip you off, i dont know.

Is your Check Engine Light on?
take it to your local AutoZone and ask them to have your codes read. After you get the code let me know and i"ll try to help you fix the problem.

 

I assume that the CEL is no longer ON.

In the cold of winter, the engine takes longer to warm than in the summer. When the engine is cold, it runs in an ECU predesignated "open loop" mode that tends to be rich. When the engine is fully warmed, however, the primary oxygen sensor takes over and determines a "closed-loop" mode that allows the engine to operate at the optimal air-fuel ratio. One possibility is that you are smelling excess fuel in the exhaust for an extended period of time because the engine is taking longer to warm in the winter.

Alternatively, are you sure the exhaust smell is coming from your car versus other cars around you? If you turn the blower motor to recirculation, does it prevent you from smelling the odor?