Weird Backfiring/Missing (97 Acc. 4 cyl)
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
Weird Backfiring/Missing (97 Acc. 4 cyl)
So I just picked up a 1997 Honda Accord (Automatic) a couple days ago.
234k miles (Don't know much about maintenance history)
I am loving the little car except I am having some issues with it obviously.
When the engine is completly cold (like sitting over night or about 4 hours?) it will shift through 1st gear normally but when I hit second, it hits a wall it seems like.
What I mean about that is the engine feels like its bogging down and no matter how much gas I give it with out it down shifting it wont accelerate. If I make it down shift, it will shift through the gears no problem. When it is bogging down it sounds like it is trying to die and it misfires and you can even hear it backfiring. All of this happens between about 2k - 3k RPMs and is fixed with about a minute or two of driving.
A little bit more information. The previous owner says he recently changed plugs, wires, distributer cap, etc. however the wires say 2005 on them. If they were recently replaced would it still say 2005? There is oil in the spark plug holes as well which could be causing a bit of ruffness I do believe but not as much as I am getting.
The car also has a very loud engine knock coming from underneath the valve covers (obviously valve slap or something). The knocking is always regardless if it is warm or cold. It is actually probably louder when it is warm and I can hear it pretty well in the cabin and outside.
Last but not lease, very minor, cruising speeds that keep the RPMs like 2.5k and below I feel kind of a miss every second or so.
I have seafoamed it (worked well, literally blew out smoke for 20 minutes) and I have a fuel filter, air filter and an oil change on its way.
My hunches is a clogged cat and or a very very plugged fuel filter which seems quite unlikely. I have read cleaning the EGR ports will help however I don't think the EGR ports would cause the symptoms I am having when cold.
Codes: P0302(3)(4)(Misfires on cylinders), P1399(Misfire on all cylinders), P0170 (Lean fuel mixtures)
Any input would be awesome.
234k miles (Don't know much about maintenance history)
I am loving the little car except I am having some issues with it obviously.
When the engine is completly cold (like sitting over night or about 4 hours?) it will shift through 1st gear normally but when I hit second, it hits a wall it seems like.
What I mean about that is the engine feels like its bogging down and no matter how much gas I give it with out it down shifting it wont accelerate. If I make it down shift, it will shift through the gears no problem. When it is bogging down it sounds like it is trying to die and it misfires and you can even hear it backfiring. All of this happens between about 2k - 3k RPMs and is fixed with about a minute or two of driving.
A little bit more information. The previous owner says he recently changed plugs, wires, distributer cap, etc. however the wires say 2005 on them. If they were recently replaced would it still say 2005? There is oil in the spark plug holes as well which could be causing a bit of ruffness I do believe but not as much as I am getting.
The car also has a very loud engine knock coming from underneath the valve covers (obviously valve slap or something). The knocking is always regardless if it is warm or cold. It is actually probably louder when it is warm and I can hear it pretty well in the cabin and outside.
Last but not lease, very minor, cruising speeds that keep the RPMs like 2.5k and below I feel kind of a miss every second or so.
I have seafoamed it (worked well, literally blew out smoke for 20 minutes) and I have a fuel filter, air filter and an oil change on its way.
My hunches is a clogged cat and or a very very plugged fuel filter which seems quite unlikely. I have read cleaning the EGR ports will help however I don't think the EGR ports would cause the symptoms I am having when cold.
Codes: P0302(3)(4)(Misfires on cylinders), P1399(Misfire on all cylinders), P0170 (Lean fuel mixtures)
Any input would be awesome.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
Yes. It is only for the first few minutes. When it is warm it will still feel like it is misfiring every once in awhile but is barely noticeable. Most people that drive it may not notice it but I am very nit picky I guess you could say lol.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
PCV rattles and I just replaced the plug wires and there is no oil on them so it's not from the plugs, plus it is A LOT of smoke.
I did some research and this is what I am going to try.
-Replace O2 Sensor (could be coated with oil if this has been happening for awhile causing off readings)
-Clean EGR ports to see if it fixes misfires and poor performance
-Switched to a higher weight high mileage oil and add goop to the oil to help rejuvenate valve seals because that is what I think causes all the oil to go into the cylinder.
I did some research and this is what I am going to try.
-Replace O2 Sensor (could be coated with oil if this has been happening for awhile causing off readings)
-Clean EGR ports to see if it fixes misfires and poor performance
-Switched to a higher weight high mileage oil and add goop to the oil to help rejuvenate valve seals because that is what I think causes all the oil to go into the cylinder.
Been Around A Long Time Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 908
From: Washington State, USA
Hhmmm - high oil consumption, engine knock while driving, bogged acceleration, engine codes, no maintenance records.
If you can't solve it here on HAF, I'd take it to dealer and ask for a new vehicle inspection.
Dealer, my town, seems to give good initial evaluation for a new owner, cost $35-50 as I remember.
If you can't solve it here on HAF, I'd take it to dealer and ask for a new vehicle inspection.
Dealer, my town, seems to give good initial evaluation for a new owner, cost $35-50 as I remember.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
Well, I am not trying to put a lot of money into the car. I am actually using it as a winter beater even thought it is in really good condition so I should probably call it a winter car lol. My first car was a 1986 Honda Accord and it kicked butt in the snow so I am back 
.
It sounds like the valves on cylinder two are toast. I am not sure if the PO tried a valve adjustment and screwed it up or what. I started slowly using a higher weight oil. I will keep the thread updated once I get the O2 sensor and EGR ports cleaned, I have just been very busy with school and what not.
.It sounds like the valves on cylinder two are toast. I am not sure if the PO tried a valve adjustment and screwed it up or what. I started slowly using a higher weight oil. I will keep the thread updated once I get the O2 sensor and EGR ports cleaned, I have just been very busy with school and what not.