Engine & fuel system
2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Whining noise from timing belt at 1000-2000rpm
Cause
Timing belt tensioner spring applying excessive force causing overtensioning of the belt.
Repair
- Fit modified tensioner spring.
Parts1 part
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Tensioner spring | 14516 P08 010 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.
Poor engine performance
Symptoms
Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated. Trouble codes stored in engine control module (ECM) fault memory: 22-4.
Cause
Engine oil level incorrect.
Oil supply pressure to variable valve timing (VVT) system too low.
Repair
- Top up engine oil to correct level.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.
Electrical & ignition
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Water leaking into car from interior lamp area
Cause
Overtightening roof aerial distorts base seal allowing water to leak into car.
Repair
- Fit new base seal or reseal distorted base seal.
Parts1 part
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Aerial base seal | 39154-ST3-E00 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.
Suspension & drivetrain
2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Squeak type noise from rear suspension, more noticeable on uneven road surface
Cause
Dry contact surfaces on the rear trailing arm bushes.
Repair
- Apply grease to contact surfaces on rear trailing arm bushes.
Parts1 part
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Grease | 08733-B020E | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.
Knocking noise from front wheel when pulling away
Overview
- Affects
- All models, 1982-05.
- Remedy
- Clean & lubricate
Cause
Contact between driveshaft and front wheel bearing.
Repair
- Clean driveshaft and wheel bearing contact surfaces.
- Apply grease to contact surfaces of driveshaft and wheel bearing.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.
Air conditioning & heating
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Failure of heater blower motor to run on 1st and 2nd blower speed
Cause
Failure of heater blower motor resistor.
Repair
- Replace heater blower motor resistor.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.
Glossary
Technical terms used in this guide.
- MIL
- Malfunction indicator lamp — the engine warning light on the dashboard
- ECM
- Engine control module — the electronic unit that manages the engine
- VIN
- Vehicle identification number — 17 characters, found at the base of the windscreen and on the V5C logbook
- Trouble Codes
- Standardised fault codes stored by the engine control module, read with a diagnostic tool
- Control Module
- A control unit for one of the vehicle's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
- Driveshaft
- The shaft that takes drive from the differential out to a wheel
- Fault Memory
- The list of stored trouble codes in a control module
- Blower Motor
- The fan that pushes air through the heater and air-conditioning
- Bushes
- Rubber mountings that let a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
Frequently asked questions
What are the common faults with the Honda Civic 1.4?
This guide contains six workshop bulletins for the Honda Civic 1.4. Of these, two concern the engine and fuel system and two the suspension and drivetrain. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.
Does every Honda Civic 1.4 have these faults?
No. These are patterns documented across the model by workshops, not predictions for an individual vehicle. Where a fault applies only to certain vehicles or VIN ranges, that is listed with the fault.
Can I check for Honda Civic 1.4 faults myself?
Many of them. The documented symptoms can be seen, heard or felt during a test drive.