Teawins21

Well my 1996 accord with 420k still runs and drives perfectly. Starts up in the mornings with no problems at all. However, after I drive it and re-start, it sometimes has rough starts.

Sometimes it'll turn over and die right away. Sometimes it'll turn over, idle low and like crap and I'll have to give it some gas and it idles perfectly. It only happens once in a while but has been occurring more often. NEVER shuts off on me at stops or while driving.

Once warm if i turn it off and on, it'll be fine. It usually happens when i turn it off for 15 mins or so and try to turn it back on. Usually happens after it warms up to normal operating temp and I'll stop at a store for 15 mins... I get back in my car and get these symptoms. I've heard a bad/dirty IAC valve could be a potential cause?


Recent new parts:
Plugs
Alternator
Starter
EGR valve
Fuel Filter
Newer distributor/wires

Thanks in advance.

Teawins21

Btw, no CELs.

tollboothwilley

IACV would be a good place to look at

I was reading up online and found that some Hondas have issues with the main fuel relay under the dash which can develop cold solder joints

dwllama

I dont think main relay would affect cruddy low idle. IACV is pretty simple to pull off and clean, I did it on my 96, just need a handful of tools and some TB cleaner (actually i removed and cleaned the throttle body at the same time) I had plenty of gunk in my iacv/fitv.
if that doesn't help you may want to check your coolant system since the fitv is triggered by coolant flow.

professorman

You just came here to brag that your car has 420k miles

Oh boy, how I envy you, and hope to be there one day! Good luck with getting it running right again!

Teawins21

Thanks for the heads up on the main fuel relay. I'll put that on the list.

I've tried cleaning out the valve recently. I have a spare one I pulled from a junker somewhere. I just have to find it and swap out. I've always had a coolant problem. I lose about a cup of coolant every tank of gas. I just keep the reservoir tank filled and I'm usually good to go. But can you explain in a bit more detail of how this can been a coolant system problem?

You caught me! I'd be happy to trade you motors

I did however ran some seafoam through. I haven't had the problem since but I really havne't driven enough to see if it actually helped.

Here's my list of to do/checks:
1. Seafoam (x)
2. IACV
3. main fuel relay
4. leaky injectors
5. coolant system??



Thanks for the help guys

Teawins21

Update...

still have the problem.

So far i've tried following:

1. Seafoam
2. Cleaned out IACV
3. Newer Main Relay
4. Newer injectors
5. New spark plugs
6. Cleaned the distributor cap points
7. Cleaned the floor mats

None of these seem to have done the trick. To further clarify the issue. When the car has trouble starting, it misfires with really low idle. I have to give it gas for it to clear up.

I was almost positive that it was a leaky injector. The theory would be fuel would collect after parking for 20mins or so. With all that fuel it would be flooding the motor, which would explain the trouble starting and misfiring. In the mornings on a cold motor, the fuel would stop leaking have eventually evaporate over night; this would allow for a normal start.

I'm also still pretty convinced that it could be an electrical problem. When the car heats up, whatever "x" is goes bad (e.g solder joint on main relay) and cause the rough start.

holmesnmanny

Has the car ever overheated ? You may have a leaking head gasket. You should do a compression test to check.

Teawins21

It has over heated before. However, compression test shows all cylinders are perfect. I do lose about a cup of coolant about every fill up but no coolant in the oil.

Also, when it's having trouble starting, I give it a lot of gas and it starts up and misfiring stops. Immediately after it starts to run fine, I can turn off/on the car as normal...

But if I leave it off for another 15 mins, it'll have a rough time starting.

NZXTInerTia

Heck I would treat it to a head gasket simply because its had such a great life so far. You could also perform a leak down test.

Teawins21

ehh, I'd probably just put a new motor in it when i have to. At 420k it's a bit tired. I wish I could figure this problem out and drive it till it dies.. especially since I put so many new parts into the car within the last year... timing belt, water pump, plugs, shocks, tires, exhaust, ac compressor, alternator, starter and your injectors (thanks again). It's running perfect just this stupid issue with starting it after it has sat for a few minutes.

djkurious

EGR ports?

Teawins21

Had a CEL for the EGR flow before. Cleaned everything out and now no CELs at all.

Teawins21

after some more search around on the forums:

ignitor?
coolant temp sensor?

kidcool1977

you said you lose a cup of coolant, check you radiator and cap to see if it's holding pressure. The rad. cap is usually a neglected/overlooked preventative maintenance.

As for your other issue, have you looked for a vaccum leak?

holmesnmanny

I'd hate to ask but just want to be certain. Did you do the compression test ? What were the results ?

Teawins21

I don't think a vac leak would cause these symptoms.


It was recently done at my friends car shop. I believe he said 160 all across.

Lost Again

ECT is sounding interesting

But again you only "cleaned" the cap and rotor....?

holmesnmanny

The next time you let it sit and it doesn't start, hold the pedal down for five seconds and while still holding it down, try to start it. If it starts it's getting flooded. Either a leaking injector(s) or the engine coolant temperature sensor is bad my guess.

Teawins21

I'll swap out the ECT and cap and rotor with a friends car to see if it fixes the problem.


well i replaced the injectors with newer ones. I hooked them up to a battery and ran some cleaner through it. It didnt' seem like it was leaking. I'll still try your suggestion though. thanks

Teawins21

FINALLY FIXED!

So after all that was said and done it ended up being a fuel pump slowly going bad. My car is now up and running like a champ with tons of new/newer parts. Btw, fuel pump replacement on this car is no joke.. even with a lift and airtools it was a pain. Luckily, mine died at 420k so I'd say they hold up pretty well.

Thanks all who tried to help out.

NZXTInerTia

[QUOTE=Teawins21;49091661]Btw, fuel pump replacement on this car is no joke.. even with a lift and airtools it was a pain./QUOTE]

Because racecar. This is honestly the only way to do it. IF done properly you can keep the factory holding pin for the trunk liner, potentially even being able to make a cover. Regardless the trunk liner covers it up perfectly. I've done it like this on my girlfriends car as well.