Ben850

I have a stock 2002 LX 5 speed with 114K miles. During the past few months, it has been giving me really bad performance both with acceleration, and in gas mileage. At the beginning of the summer i used to go ~420 miles before the gas gauge hit E, and thats with the AC on full blast! Now i'm lucky if i hit 275. I haven't changed any of my driving habits what-soever. My shifting lands between 2.5k to 3.5k depending on the situation.

Also, when i hold the throttle past 1/3 of the way, i hear a "chug" sound that i can only describe as what you would hear from a weak exhaust system on an old car. I can only notice this chug sound when im in 1st or 2nd gear while the engine is under a "load" (throttle past 1/3 down.) It's not extremely loud, because i have to be next to a large object (a wall, or car) for the chug sound to echo back to me. I also believe that the sound is only audible in 1st and 2nd gears because im not going more than 20 mph and there's no wind to interfere with me hearing it.

After a month or so of contemplating this issue, i want to think that it is the fuel filter. But while searching these forums, it seems as if the fuel filter generally should never be changed.. unless its for reasons that are out of the ordinary. I've checked the spark plugs, air filter, and had 3 different exhaust shops check my exhaust system for ANYTHING they could find and they all say that theyd love to sell me a new exhaust system, but they just cant find anything wrong with it.

So my question is: if it's not the spark plugs, air filter, or exhaust system, and the fuel filter is likely not the issue.. then what could it be?

01d17

only thing i could suggest would be put some fuel system cleaner like gumout or something in the tank before you fill up again and see if that helps. i have had cars int he past with similar issues and it seemed to help a bit.

Ben850

I was thinking about that.. How long do you think it would take to notice a difference (assuming this were to fix the issue)

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

I'm thinking you have a problem with either your Idle Air Control Valve, Intake Air Temperature sensor, or your Primary Oxygen Sensor.

Ben850

Thanks for the replies 01d17 and Matt.. I will hafto look further into these sensors when I have internet access other than on my phone

driveslow

bump with same exact issue. So far I have noticed that I have weak spark at the coil but my entire dizzy is new...

TOO MUCH TORQUE

fuel filter never be changed? hope your kidding.....

wraith646

Turn on the key and check to see if your "check engine light comes on first befor you go into checking codes if the light doesn't come on with the key then it is burnt out and you may have a code. But if it does then you are chassing your tail. That year motitors all the aspec of engine performance with the exception of fuel pressure.
Idle air control problems will cause a surge in idle or low rpm at idle.
If it is an O2 sensor problem in any way it will throw a code.
Get you timing check! It may be that your timing between the cams and the crank may be off just a tad bit. If that is the case then the Spark would be happening at the wronge time causing a bad burn and the sound you are hearing is engine ping.

Jimster480

change the fuel filter. And its almost time for you to change the timing belt so maybe you should change that too. When was the last time your plugs/wires/filters were replaced?

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

That's quite a task for anyone who hasn't done it before, just as a forewarning. Because the filter is in-tank, you have to pull the rear seats just to take care of it.

AFAccord

Almost sounds like a clogged or failing converter, except the car is so 'new'. It'd be harder to isolate if the car's intake and exhaust are stock. I'd try removing the cat, drive it down the road and see if the problem goes away. If it works, take it to the stealership and see if they'll replace it for free. They may not since you're over 100k miles, but you can still pick up an OE bolt-on replacement magnaflow for less than $100.

Just my $.02

Jimster480

depends on which fuel filter your talking about. There is one on the fuel grabber attached to the fuel pump (the one you are referring to) and then there is one on the firewall under the hood that feeds the fuel rail. The in tank one shouldnt really need to be replaced unless you know you have gotten really dirty gas, but the under the hood one i would def replace.
and the rear seats are actually really easy to take out in a "EK" Chassis. Me and my friends record is ~6min.

SGolub

EM2 rear seats are really easy to remove, comes out to about 3 bolts if I remember correctly. Make sure you hold onto the bracket and whatnot.

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

You're in the wrong forum for EK's. There's no fuel filter on the firewall for a 7th Gen.

Jimster480

oh wow lol. I didn't even realize that i was in the 2001-2005 forum lol. Well either way the back seats are easy to take out haha