Hi all i'm a newbie to the honda forum so please be gentle if I forget to add important info. I changed the engine from my 2001 Accord EX, 5 speed due to knocking and low compression. Given these two issues the car had no other problems and ran fine. I installed an engine from a 2000 Accord LX, 5 speed with original 79000miles that was in a left side collision but drove for a month without any problems and sat for three months after. I changed the timing belt, balance belt, water pump and clutch. Upon startup the engine ran very rough to the point of shutting off. It sputters an seem to be missing. I rechecked the timing and just to be safe start from zero and re-do it, everything is spot on. Car did same thing upon startup again. Did a few trouble shooting and found that all 4 cylinder have strong spark but only cylinders 1 & 4 are firing. Changed plugs, two different distributors, wires with same results. Next changed fuel rail, O2 sensor and no better result. I can hear the injectors opening and they all had fuel draining when removed. Note the knock sensor is broker and i'm awaiting a replacement. I stepped away for a few hours and started the car again, this time cylinders 1 & 2 are firing but 3 & 4 is not. There is no CEL. Do I need to change the ECU to match that year/engine, what could be causing this earthquake symptoms? Thanks all.

 

Is either the old engine or new engine a ULEV model? You can check the engine block serial plate for F23A1 vs. F23A4. It the new doesn't match the old, then you might have to get more than just the ECU. I think there were significant differences in the wiring harness between ULEV and non-ULEV.

 

Jim thanks for jumping on this and assisting me. I went back this morning and did a double & tripple check and found the problem. I changed everything listed except for the distributor cap which is in near new condition. The problem is this cap is an after market "no name brand" cap with the spark plug terminals wrongly placed, therefore the spark is not going to the correct cylinder at the correct time. I put the original honda cap on and the problem is HISTORY, car fire like a space shuttle and smoothe like baby powder. Now I need to fight with the front sway bar links.

 

Good deal! Have fun with those links...