1996 Accord LX, 2.2 (no v-tech) 5 speed manual tranny, and 146k miles.

Yesterday morning, which happened to be the coldest morning of winter so far (probably 10 degrees), my Accord wouldn't start. It was cranking over just fine, and would start to fire every 5 or so seconds. By fire, i mean it chug 2x like it was going to starting and then back to just the starter turning over the motor.

I pushed it into the street, and could smell a 'slight' gas smell from the hood. I had to get to work, so I left it and took another car. When I got home, I jumped in and it started right up. I pulled it in the driveway and let it sit again over night. This morning it started right up.

It is low on gas, but not on 'E'. It is probably 1 needle and half above 'E'. The CEL is on, but is always on due to a clogged EGR port.

Now i don't trust the car, and really can't afford to get stranded somewhere, in the cold, potentially with kids in the car.

Any ideas?

 

Fist, get the codes scanned. You may have another code that is triggering the check engine light. Post the codes on here. They start with the letter P and have four numbers, like p1234.

 

I will run it over to Advance Auto tonight and scan the codes. Will update later.

 

When the no start issue is there, key to on (not started, just the position before the starter would come on), does the cel come on and go off?

 

I got home and it started right up. I pulled the plugs and they were junk. I can post a picture. Replaced the plugs and drove back to auto store for codes. The only codes are p1491 and p0401. Both for EGR valve.

I am going to call it fixed. Those plugs had over an 1/8th gap on them.

 

You can clean the egr ports. It is a pretty basic DIY. Check out the common DIY thread on top of the gen tech help forum.

 

That is on the list. The car started off as a good deal, but in the last few months it has required some repairs. It is now leaking hydraulic fluid from the clutch, the exhaust broke, and needs a tune-up. But it still gets 32 MPG every tank!

 

Search d8N-SE047VY on YouTube for a good video on how to clean the EGR ports. In the common diy thread on top of the gen tech help forum, there are links for another writeup on how to do this.