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Hi there
I’ve just introduced myself in the ‘Introductions’ section.
I have a 1997 Honda Civic 1.5ls on 167,000 miles. in the past week or so when I start it it seems to be running on three pots instead of all four, it sounds rough and idles badly, then the revs rise a little and after about 10 – 15 seconds it runs normally, all four pots are firing.
It seems a little jerky if I sit at 30mpg in fourth gear but only a little and the car is serviced regularly. There are no warning lights that come up.
It is used on a regular basis and does not sit unused for longer than a day maybe during a weekend.
I’m going to check the spark plugs to see if they tell me anything and check the gaps on them, but it’s only been about 6 months since I serviced it and put new plugs in and I checked the gaps then.
Any suggestions as to what I should check and in which order? I would think I have most tools that would be needed but no diagnostic tools, I have no idea if it’s OBD1 or OBD2 never gone to find out but now it’s starting to show it’s age I’m wondering if I should invest in a lead and some software so I can hook it up to a laptop to check things out.
Cheers
Dan
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does it have a check engine light? What type of plugs did you put in? I am thinking it could be a missfire. how do the spark plug wires look? you can do a power balance test to see if it is a spark related issue. you can also do that with the fuel injectors
[quote=”outdoorsman310″ post=40383]does it have a check engine light?[/quote]
Sorry, I missed that out, there are no warning lights showing
[quote=”outdoorsman310″ post=40383]What type of plugs did you put in? I am thinking it could be a missfire. how do the spark plug wires look?[/quote]
It’s definitley a misfire but only for a few seconds and then goes back to normal running,
[quote=”outdoorsman310″ post=40383]you can do a power balance test to see if it is a spark related issue. you can also do that with the fuel injectors[/quote]
Can’t remember the exact spark plug off the top of my head but probably the same type of plugs as I’ve been using over the past 80,000 miles as I always get them from the same supplier.
What is a ‘Power balance test’? There is spark at each plug as it runs normally following start up.
It only happens at the first ignition in the morning, it doesn’t happen when I start the car after work after 8 hours of of sitting in the car park, just when I start up in the morning when it’s had a long 12-15 hour-ish rest.
Currently overnight temperature if about 0c (which I believe is 32f ?? ) just incase the temp makes a difference.
Cheers
[b]** EDIT **
I’m a tool, I just googled ‘Power balance test’ and the first result was the ETCG video, watching it now
:)[/b]
today at work after the shop closed but i was still there and someone else was getting a part somebody came in dropped it off and told me all the symptoms. i thought it was a missfire. it was throwing a code too. i went over after finishing the thermostat and the cyl 2 boot was broken in half halfway down the hole! now that has to be removed!! it was on a vw
Based on your description I think it’s a good idea to check the plugs as you suggest. Keep in mind Honda’s are very sensitive about the parts you use on the ignition systems. So be sure to use NGK plugs, if the wires are OE leave them alone. As for the cap and rotor you could use Beck Arnley parts as they work just fine. I’d also check for vacuum leaks. This is a common cause of misfires, especially when cold.
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