I have a 96 accord ex with a 4 cyl vtech with 230K. It suddenly started running bad yersterday. When it warms up the eingine misses when you give it gas. If you ease into the throttle it will run OK. It feels like there isn't enough spark.
I searched the forum but the search funtion isn't working at all. It set a code which was 71 (cylinder missfire).
I removed the dist cap and it seems clean enough. Any ideas?
Wanted to take this baby on a road trip next weekend.

 

Forgot to mention it's a 5 speed. replaced plugs 28K miles ago.

 

If you used the the NGK OEM plugs, then you should change the plugs. The normal schedule has you change them at 30K miles. Four plugs cost $6, so that is a good place to start.

Were the contacts in the distributor contact still in good shape? Also was the edge of the rotor worn down at all? The schedule for the distributor cap and rotor are 60K miles. Change them if they are due too.

When the car is running (at night), spray a mist of water over the spark plug wires from a water bottle. If you see arching of the spark, then you should replace the wires.

Other simple things to check are the battery cables. Make sure that all ends of the cable are clean and secure.

The egr ports get clogged up on the intake manifold and can cause a stumble in the engine. Google t2t013.pdf and the instructions for cleaning the egr ports for a 5th gen accord are on the bottom two pages of that pdf. You just need use a small screwdriver and make sure that you use a vacuum to pull out bulk of the carbon out of the ports. Use carb or brake cleaner and a q-tip or pipe cleaner to dissolve the rest of the stuff and clear it out of there.

Good luck.

 

I pulled the plugs and they looked pretty bad. Dist cap was worn too. I'm hoping the problem is a plug fouling. I will change them in the am and let you know.

 

It was the plugs. I love it when the problem is SIMPLE. The cap and rotor button where also in need of replacement but it ran fine after the plugs where replaced.

 

I am glad it was something simple. I would replace the cap and rotor when you get a chance, since you said that they are wearing down.

Plus the plug will get less of a spark if the spark has to jump a gap in the distributor cap. The cap and rotor are ~$25 at most auto parts stores.

 

Check for arcing from the plug wires. Start the engine COLD when it's completely dark. Look for blue glow around the wires. That (or the cap/rotor)may have been the ultimate cause for the plugs fouling.