(monkey grease) I've got a problem with my 92 civic hatch. I bought to a friend and he said it was the ICM is the only problem. I replaced it and the engine starts and sounds good I don't here any knocks on the engine but it smokes a lot . After a 10 minutes run I turn it off. And I try to start again but it won't start. The CEl lit for 2 seconds and the main relay clicks. So I change the relay it starts again but when I turn it off it won't start anymore. Please help man...

g, what color is the smoke? If it's white, it may have overheated at some point and now it's burning coolant. Check the compression of each cylinder, to ensure the head did not warp, valves did not get damaged, and the head gasket did not leak.

I don't think that the cylinder head cause the white smoke. The oil are still good it doesn't look milky if the head is broken the water will goes inside the engine and the oil will get contaminate and will color like coffee right, I think the cause of the smoke is not enough sparks or not enough current that flows to the engine. I really don't understand why the cars starts then stops. Is your thought that my cylinder head is blown is the reason// please help me

Yes, the compression may be too low. The key is if the smoke is white.

If this is not your problem, check for spark. If it's weak, you may need to replace the coil. This is typically done when you replace the ICM. Should the problem persist, install the new ICM and coil in a genuine Honda distributor housing. The internal distributor sensors (CKP, TDC, or CYL) may be damaged. Most aftermarket distributors for Hondas are garbage.

Yes it's a white smoke and the sparks are really poor. So what you think white smoke cause of loose compression or because of not enough current or sparks from the plugs. Thank you so much

Did the engine ever overheat?

Nope

It's easy enough to check the compression. I would definitely do that. Then, I would focus on the weak spark--replace the coil and, if necessary, install a new genuine Honda distributor housing.

If the Check Engine Light comes on and goes off normally, when the ignition switch is turned to ON (Position II), then the starting problem is distributor related. This assumes the compression is good.

Okay thanks for your time man. I will let you know if there is good progress that happen to the car

g, ensure the replacement ICM was new, not used.

Tx, bro. I have a 97 honda ek hatchback it has a non vtec engine. And I want to change the engine to a SOHC vtec. Do I need to replace the tranny or I can use the same tranny of my non vtec engine? Thanks..