Any overheating history or loss of coolant?

I had similar symptoms on 94EX when head gasket went south. Missing on startup for short period, smoothing out and running fine. Slow loss of coolant. Most noticeable after hot shutdown, followed by restart after short period.

good luck

 

No overheating. The only time the temp gauge has went past halfway was 2 weeks ago when i was sitting in downtown Atlanta traffic, and even then it didnt move past the 3/4 mark. No noticeable coolant loss, i had to add maybe a quart back to the radiator after that ATL trip. But yeah thats exactly what its doing; cold start is fine, but after i drive it and stop, then restart after a short period, chugs for maybe 10 seconds and then runs like nothing wrong.

 

Those symptoms suggests a head gasket check. Chemical test looking for coolant contamination w/ exhaust gases is definitive test.

I pulled a spark plug and turned engine over to see a small geyser of water vapor from open spark plug hole. That convinced me I had a head gasket issue. PS there wa no overheating in my history either.

good luck

 

greeeat..

 

so an interesting development. the ECU has started throwing Code 12 again (EGR solenoid) when there is a new EGR valve on. and TCU code 15 has re emerged as well. but Im having no shifting issue. yeah its still chugging too lol

 

Just me but the "12" is the lift of the egr....meaning the ecu is getting or not getting "lift" on the egr when it needs it or does not need it.

Humor me for a bit. If you can make this happen - "chugging" on restart - almost at will. Get the situation right but before you restart the car - pull and plug the vac line to the egr valve?

Where I'm going....if you are getting vac to the egr on re-start and at idle then I could see "chugging". Of course as stated already, tests should be done for a head gasket leak as well.

 

Code 12 can be faulty EGR lift sensor, but also lack of vacuum from EGR control solenoid. Suggest downloading the 94-97 Accord shop manual from Online Manuals post in DIY forum and perform diagnostics for Code 12 to isolate problem.

Is it possible you have code 10 and code 5 for TCU? Code 15 would be one long blink followed closely by 5 short blinks. Just checking since you have no Code 15 symptoms. Hard shifts are supposed to result from failure of NM sensor, wiring, or TCM.

good luck

 

Poorman- I'll try that plug test tomorrow.

Texas- but I have a 92? and yeah its one long blink followed almost immediately by 5 short blinks. haven't cracked open the box with all that hardware in it.

 

Yes, that should be code 15 confirmed.

Sorry about getting model year wrong. There is a 91 manual for download from same post. This should cover your EGR diagnostics.

good luck

 

so, this EGR test Poorman. you want me to unplug the hose that runs to the evaporation control and plug that? or plug the inlet to the EGR valve itself?