darkstar01

I have a 2002 Honda Civic LX 1.7ltr engine NON-DOHC

When the problem occurred I had no check engine light, nothing, just started hearing a clanging sound, like metal against metal, then lost approx 80% of all engine power, I could still go 20 mph or so just enough to pull over to the side of the road and turn off my engine.

I checked the engine for codes, received Zero engine codes!! (the frustrating part)

I still have no check engine light...

After accelerating slightly then taking my foot off the gas I hear a slight metal sound

while the engine is running i hear a sucking/pssssshhhh sound my first guess is that it may be exhaust related, I.E. no back pressure or not enough to accelerate the vehicle to highway speeds.

The second feeling I had is that the transmission sounds ok or else it would grind when switching from 1st, 2nd gears.

One other thing I was wondering about, (because i've had problems in the past with it) was that is it possible that the catalytic converter would cause problems similar to this one?

any help would be great, I'm a novice, but I can follow directions very well.

--edit

I forgot to mention the engine starts fine, runs fine, as long as I don't accelerate much beyond 20 mph but the slight metalic sound can be heard after release foot from the gas, the metal sound is not heard while foot is on the gas, only when releasing your foot.

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

I would check your transmission for issues. It could be an input shaft bearing, or possibly some gears that are worn.

darkstar01

I took it to a muffler shop, and they found out that the metal clank and the lack of get up and go is caused by nearly non existent backpressure, the catalytic converter had somehow come off the engine at which time it broke, thus now I have to wait till thursday or friday for him to complete the work, he quoted around 525-575$ roughly, since all damned cats in California have to be original catalytic converts with CARB stickers/numbers on them. Even air intakes in California must have the CARB sticker.

So basically every time i'd release the throttle on the vehicle the cat would shift up/down and the clank was litterally the cat hitting the engine slightly. (fun fun)

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

Wow... that's a unique scenario!

darkstar01

No kidding, even the muffler guy didn't see the problem until I mentioned maybe it was the catalytic converter that came loose or died, the way he tested it was to have me rev the engine slightly while he used a welding rod pushed up against the cat from below the car (on a lift) to see if the cat was shifting up/down and surprisingly it was.

02civicminded

did you have a problem with overheating?

Mine did the same thing today only without the metallic noises. After letting it sit for 30-40 minutes it started right up...I am mystified...I even added water because I cannot see the fluid level through the overflow tank)