1996 Civic cylinder 4 misfire. All other cylinders are working fine. Cylinder 4 spark plug has a little oil on it and smells like gas. I pulled it out and put it on the valve cover and it is sparking. So fuel and spark are not the issue. Compression? ICM? Would the ICM cause only #4 to missfire and all others be fine? When the codes were read it did say #2 and #4 misfire, but #2 seems to be working fine now. The CEL blinks at times. What should I do? NGK plugs, ICM, and valve cover gasket? That's what I am guessing... Help Please

At a minimum take a compression check while the plug is out and replace the #4 spark plug with a new one if compression is good.

At a minimum take a compression check while the plug is out and replace the #4 spark plug with a new one if compression is good.

All the plugs are new. I installed new cap, rotor, coil, wires, fuel filter, PCV valve, and plugs about 2 weeks ago. I am going to try NGK plugs and try a compression test.

If the CEL blinks at times, look for codes. You already checked compression and you said it's around 180 psi, which is fine.

The ICM may be bad. They are quirky components, which may look like they are firing and everything is OK but they are not firing consistently at the right time. I would replace the ICM, being careful to coat the back with a thin, even coat of heat transfer compound. Properly gapped NGK plugs definitely work best in Hondas. Coat the outside porcelein and electrode with a thin coat of dielectric compound. This helps prevent misfires. You might even want to try this on Plug #4, before doing anything else.

If the problem persists, after doing all of these things, one of the internal distributor sensors may be bad. This will require replacing the distributor housing (genuine Honda only) and installing your recently purchased aftermarket ICM and coil.

If the CEL blinks at times, look for codes. You already checked compression and you said it's around 180 psi, which is fine.

The ICM may be bad. They are quirky components, which may look like they are firing and everything is OK but they are not firing consistently at the right time. I would replace the ICM, being careful to coat the back with a thin, even coat of heat transfer compound. Properly gapped NGK plugs definitely work best in Hondas. Coat the outside porcelein and electrode with a thin coat of dielectric compound. This helps prevent misfires. You might even want to try this on Plug #4, before doing anything else.

If the problem persists, after doing all of these things, one of the internal distributor sensors may be bad. This will require replacing the distributor housing (genuine Honda only) and installing your recently purchased aftermarket ICM and coil.

I never checked the compression, just thought it might be bad in cylinder 4 because it does not fire and the plug is wet.

I must be confusing you with someone else. To check the compression, remove all of the spark plugs. Take a piece of paper and record the dry and wet readings.

I must be confusing you with someone else. To check the compression, remove all of the spark plugs. Take a piece of paper and record the dry and wet readings.

OK TxGreaseMonkey I took it to the garage down the street. It has a burnt valve (they believe it to be a exhaust valve) I want to replace the cylinder head. Is there any tips you can provide me in doing this and do you know any good websites to order a rebuilt head? Car better last another 100K now! Ha!

Good time to replace the timing belt and water pump. Just make sure they are really qualified to work on Hondas.

Not up on other websites.

Good time to replace the timing belt and water pump. Just make sure they are really qualified to work on Hondas.

Not up on other websites.

Oh no they are not working on it! They want $1600.00 for the install and that doesn't include tax, timing belt, or water pump. I will be doing the work in my garage.

Get a Service Manual and take your time--you have your work cut out for you. This link, especially the "TRICK," could save you from a disaster:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-2.html#post232786

Many have failed at what you are about to attempt.

Get a Service Manual and take your time--you have your work cut out for you. This link, especially the "TRICK," could save you from a disaster:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-2.html#post232786

Many have failed at what you are about to attempt.

You need to repost your "link" it didn't make it.

Looks good, to me.

Looks good, to me.

That's odd. It wasn't there until it got quoted. Must have been a glitch somewhere.

Thats odd. It wasnt there until it got quoted. Must have been a glitch somewhere.

It's the "Matrix" beware of it's wrath!