So my badly cared for Accord has been having some problems.

1st, the check engine light is on. I took it to an auto parts place and they pulled for codes: P0303, P0420, P0401 and P1491. They tried to sell me an O2 sensor and the EGR valve. After some research online, I guess the last two could be an EGR blockage.

2nd, when accelerating (usually on a incline) between 50-60 MPH the car starts to sputter. I don't know how else to describe it. Once I make it up to 60-65 it stops.

3rd, just today, I was accelerating and at a lower speed the car starts to sputter and shake, and the check engine light started blinking. The light ahead of me turned red, and when I hit the brakes it stopped. It did it two other times on my way home.

It's got 236000+ miles on it. 4 cyl engine. Not sure if you need any other information. If anyone has some advice. I can work on cars (like follow direction and such) but not good at diagnosing issues.

 

Blocked EGR ports can explain the P0303, P0401, and the P1491. I would clean the EGR ports first and worry about the P0420 later. Cleaning the EGR ports may fix the 0420.

Cleaning is pretty simple to do.

In the DIY Answers section, Hondadude has a link to his 94/97 EGR port cleaning. The site he posts on is down right now, but google caches the site without pics. At least you would have the instructions.

Also, google T2T013.pdf and the last two pages of the pdf show the 94/97 procedure.

Here is another site with pics and instructions:

dhost.info/accordinfo/howto/egr.html

 

... I decided not to do this procedure myself and pay someone to do it. I took it in after they said they knew what I was talking about needing done. Unfortunately, all that they did was pull the valve, clean under it and replace the gasket.

After carefully explaining that was not what I wanted done, I brought it back the next day. After having to explain the procedure to the person I originally talked to on the phone, he said they could do it.

So, I'm on the highway driving home after the worked on my car. No check engine light, no acceleration issues, nothing. Running great then....

 

What happened?

 

Car caught on fire. Haha. Sorry. Couldn't resist.

I assume it was something related to the fuel rail. The car died. When I got it to the side of the road, there was some smoke coming from under the hood. When I stepped out and looked at my hood, in front of the drivers side about where the work was done, the paint started bubbly and smoking. I ran away and called 911.

This was what I was worried would happen if I DID the work myself. Could have saved myself some money if my car was just going to burn anyway.

 

Do you have fire insurance and are you going to go after the garage that did the work?

 

Yeah, it's covered under my insurance.

They are turning into their insurance. See how much they give me for it. The manager of the place told me if they determine it is their fault, they will take car of me.

 

For any that are curious. I picked up a 2000 Accord. 136,000 miles. V6.

Runs pretty nice. And I missed something completely before I purchased. The tachometer doesn't work. The needle is below the little bar or whatever it is. Is there a way to fix that easily? And is that a bad sign?