I am having a problem with my car. Sometimes it runs fine, other times it doesn't. I will explain it's symptoms. I know when it is going to act up.

My RPM's at idle feather between 1500 and 2000 (they are usually at 1000). When it does this, the car still runs fine. It only pulses when at idle.

Here is where it gets difficult.

After pulsing for a while, it tacks up to 2200 and holds. When you take off after that it goes through a stutter phase. It feels like it is kicking the gas pedal out from under you when it bottoms out then comes back up. As soon as I get to the next stop sign or stop light, if I shut it off wait a second and turn it back on. Fine. That doesn't mean that after I stop again it won't start back to acting up but it stops it for a while. What is causing this.

I have talked to several Honda guys because I thought it was my Idle Air Control Valve but they say there is no way that it would go out, that I just have to clean it and it will be fine.

My car was tested (auto zone)
And my codes are:

O2 Sensor
Partially plugged cat
Idle Air Control Valve.

What can I do to test these things.

Also, I really don't want to put a new cat on the car, if it wasn't for emissions it wouldn't be there. But looks like if I want to get it plated this year I am going to have to. Please help! I am so sick of shutting my car off at stop signs/lights and it is going to cost me a damn starter if I don't get this resolved soon. I just don't want to put the parts in it if they are not necessary.

Thanks!!

 

if your cat is partially clogged, it will hinder exhaust flow causing your symptom... either hollow the cat (if your not in an emission state) or replace it and re-evaluate

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wrenchez81 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hollow the cat</TD></TR></TABLE>
my brother did that
sounds horrible

grab a new cat

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nix94delsol &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
my brother did that
sounds horrible

grab a new cat </TD></TR></TABLE>
get a test pipe

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 93egSLEEPER &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
get a test pipe </TD></TR></TABLE>

lol, thats pretty much the same thing, its just less back pressure. Id get a high flow, it wont rust or anything, like a skunk2

 

^^ true in fact!!! hollowing is a cheap alternative to buying or making a test of some sort bfore you spend hundreds of dollars on part... naturally i dont promote the op to leave it like that.... its against EPA regulations and a federal crime...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wrenchez81 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">^^ true in fact!!! hollowing is a cheap alternative to buying or making a test of some sort bfore you spend hundreds of dollars on part.</TD></TR></TABLE>

My only problem with that is that then the cat isn't worth anything for scrap. I don't know about the US, but here in Canada a used cat generally goes for $50 - $100 for scrap. Some even higher.

 

hollowing a cat is cheaper than 50-100 bucks !! and ur right my friend!! here in the states i have gypsies that come around my shop every two weeks hunting cats.... but why would you put a scrap cat in anyway?? its scrap for a reason..... either they have compromised catalyst which if left unattended can become restrictive!!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wrenchez81 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hollowing a cat is cheaper than 50-100 bucks !! and ur right my friend!! here in the states i have gypsies that come around my shop every two weeks hunting cats.... but why would you put a scrap cat in anyway?? its scrap for a reason..... either they have compromised catalyst which if left unattended can become restrictive!!! </TD></TR></TABLE>

No, I mean if you don't punch the honeycomb out of bad cat you can sell them as scrap metal generally between $50 - $100

 

I have extra exhaust pipe laying around and know my way around a welder, I will just drop the cat all together and throw in a piece of pipe just for the time being to see if it solves the problem. (I know my baby is going to sound like poo!) This way, if the problem doesn't lie with the cat I have done no harm and am not out any money. If this does resolve the problem, I will get a new cat. SINCE I have F*ing emissions. &lt;----- I hate having to deal with these! Thanks for the help and I will let you know what my diagnosis is after I get her torn down this weekend.