Ok, so I bought another 94 Hatchie CX...except this time it's got a D15B7 with 155k, which is quite an improvement over the D15B8 with 289K...but i have a few questions about my new hatchie:

1. When I start the car, it idles at about 2k rpm when cold, then drops to about 1k when warm...not sure if that's normal or if I should clean the IACV? I will get to it before the end of the week, but it just seems a little high to me.

2. When i'm coming to a stop sign and i'm slowing down to a stop, if i'm going over 15mph and I shift into 1st gear while the clutch is to the floor i get a nasty grinding noise. It seems like the gate to hold me from shifting into 1st isn't doing it's job, or that the clutch is about gone. Also, when shifting into reverse from a stop it grinds alot more than my last hatchie. My diagnosis is the clutch is going. I have a brand new stock clutch, as well as the tranny from my old CX and another DX tranny. So any help on that would be appreciated.

3. The guy that owned my hatchie before me installed a CD changer in the ceiling of the hatch, and now i have 3 nasty holes in my headliner. How hard would it be to change out the headliner of my old hatch to my new hatch? And would it be easier to just patch the holes with one of those vinyl patch kits?

4. The bumpers from my old hatch are in better condition than the ones on the new hatch, and i would like to swap them. The only problem is the screws that hold the bumpers on(both front and back) have a massive opening for a phillips(sp) head screw driver. Should i go see if i can find a screw driver that would fit the screws, because i have a big phillips head and it seems too small and i don't want to strip the screws.

5. My gauges are the stock american color (white) and i'd like to change the color to a more "JDM" look...i just like amber better, so i tried to take the bezel off on my old civic and i tore it all up, it didn't want to come off very well, so does anyone have any suggestions for removing this without tearing it up into pieces?

ok...so i think that's pretty much it for now...if anyone can help with any of these please do...input is appreciated.

 

2. When i'm coming to a stop sign and i'm slowing down to a stop, if i'm going over 15mph and I shift into 1st gear while the clutch is to the floor i get a nasty grinding noise. It seems like the gate to hold me from shifting into 1st isn't doing it's job, or that the clutch is about gone. Also, when shifting into reverse from a stop it grinds alot more than my last hatchie. My diagnosis is the clutch is going. I have a brand new stock clutch, as well as the tranny from my old CX and another DX tranny. So any help on that would be appreciated.

the grinding when you try to shift to first at 15 mph, i think its a lockout or some kinda saftey thing people don't accidently throw it back in first when they try to get 3rd. first gear is only used to get the car moving from stop.

5. My gauges are the stock american color (white) and i'd like to change the color to a more "JDM" look...i just like amber better, so i tried to take the bezel off on my old civic and i tore it all up, it didn't want to come off very well, so does anyone have any suggestions for removing this without tearing it up into pieces?

the bezel is kinda tricky, behind your clock or clock block piece there are 2 or 3 phillips screws (can't remember), so you gotta pop out your hazard button and the clock to get to them. then after that, pull VERY CAREFULLY or you'll crack it.

 

2. well...the grinding sounds and feels alot like grinding gears...which is not good on my part...and the lockout is more of a gate that opens if i'm not mistaken?

5. yeah...i cracked my other one into like two pieces...and i found the screw behind the hazard button after the fact...also...what about the left side where the left vent is...i also cracked it there...any suggestions for that part? thanks again

 

ok...so just an update on the situation...i think i solved 1. today...i replaced my IACV with another one i had sitting around and at a cold start it idles around 1.5k RPM...then drops to about 600 RPM or so...so it seems good...3. is solved...i swapped out the headliner completely...4. i got a screwdriver that fits the screws...so i'll swap them soon when i get the time...so the only ones left are 2 and 5...the tranny and the gauges...i'm thinking about droppin out the tranny this summer and swapin it for another one i have...and replacing the clutch while i'm at it...so we'll see how that goes...and for 5. i'm thinking about just letting it stay for now...i'll fiddle with dash light colors when i know i can depend on the car performance...

 

concerning number 2, my 93civicex does the same thing, trying to shift into first while moving at above like 5 mph or so. i dont think thats a clutch problem.

shifting into reverse for me sometimes grinds BAD, sometimes its real smooth. but thats because my sister accidentally shifted into reverse on the highway

 

it should be difficult or grind if you try and put it into first at 15...that is just stupid....1st is to get the car moving. It isnt a tranny problem.

 

see i don't agree...with my last civic..it just wouldn't let you into first unless you were going a certain speed and the RPM's were matched...it was very difficult, but it didn't grind...it just wouldn't let me enter 1st gear...with my newer civic, it lets me get close enough to grind the gears...it's not preventing me from entering like my first civic...and yeah reverse grinds...but not too bad...a little worse than my last civic...i also have 2 other tranny's, a CX tranny and another DX tranny, so i figure i may as well see if that would solve the problem...