So yeah, anyway. Car randomly started to run like ***. Sounds like a Subaru, engine is also rough, shakes on acceleration, and a bit low on power.

I just removed one plug wire at a time, it only ran differently when I pulled number 4. I mean, it idled down for like a second on like 1 and 2, but went to normal after a second. No reaction on 3 at all. Only on 4 did it run even worse.

Timing belt looked to be swaying. Covers' off, looked like play in the belt, if that matters.

I also know the car has a bent valve from the old belt snapping. But still ran decent enough to drive, so it has been.

I know its not a HG, I had that go out before on a ZC, it only sounds like a Subaru until the coolant burns, then it sounds normal. I also dont have overheating. So, its def not headgasket.

 

well for starters, a bent valve isn't something that gets better over time.

but your problem specifically sounds like an ignition coil, possible distributor.

 

you have water in your distributor cap i will put money on it

 

i had the same problem - MAP sensor, are you getting a CEL?

 

you have water in your distributor cap i will put money on it the seal gos bad

 

No CEL, but this ECU is chipped, so I dont even know what it will and wont pick up. This has also been going on since Friday.

 

misfiring

 

My car started doing the same thing on 11/24 and I'm still diagnosing as well. It was suggested to me that maybe the cat collapsed. That can restrict the flow of exhaust gases causing a buildup of back pressure. But I pulled mine off and it looked fine. I pulled the plugs and distributor and everything looks good. I have no CELs.

Next on my list is to check the timing and if that is good I'll pull the valve cover and check the timing belt. People have been saying it could be a skipped tooth on the belt or a bad head gasket although I hope it isn't the case cause those are a pain to fix and it's cold out.

 

My car did this the other day, and I said the exact same thing as you. That it sounded like a Subaru. I drove it down the road and had little power.

Then it cleared out and ran fine. Next day, car wouldn't start. I pulled the plugs and they were black. I cleaned them and it ran great. I went and picked up a new set.

Car is running really rich right now. I have an appointment to have it put on the dyno friday.

 

check for water in under the plug wires or anywhere in the ingnition system. this can make it misfire and give you the subaru brumble

 

Check all that stuff if you still can't figure it out, check to see if you jumped timing. Usually when any Honda/acura sounds like a Subaru its in the ignition somewhere. I have had plug wires, foul plugs, cracked distributer cap, rotor, coil, bad distributer bearings and seals, and timing belts all make my car mis.

 

If engine performance did not change at all with the #3 plug wire off, then that is your problem cylinder.

Check to see if your injector is firing(use a stethoscope or long screwdriver on the injector), check for spark, and do a compression test.

Sounds like 1 and 2 may be problem cylinders as well.

 

If that belt is loose you should check the tensioner. I had the tensioner on my ex-girls car slip coming down the highway. She was driving and I had the radio on until I notice that the car was shaking. She kept going like nothin was wrong (typical chick) until I said to pull over and I popped the hood and looked and the fuken exhaust manifold was literally glowin orange from the timing being off. When we got it back I noticed the tensioner was slipping so I replaced the tensioner and put a new timing belt and the car (94 integra Ls) had a strange tapping noise coming from the head, but, it ran fine made a hidious noise

 

x2 ^^^^

 

So, the other night, I'm puttering to work.....

Then its just normal all of the sudden, and no probs since. I'm gonna go with the water in dist cap.

Although it hadnt been wet, I dont think.

 

ok, i searched around and this is the closest thread i could find. to start off my car also sounds like a WRX along with a few other problems like it doesnt want to accelerate correctly..like it is struggling and when i stop at lights the rpms go so low it will stall.

4 people have looked at it and said i needed a head gasket, another says its bent valves,the other says it sounds like a fuel issue. im not sure what to think
if i had the money id just throw a swap in it but i just cant afford that right now.

its a 95 del sol, d16z..1.6 sohc vtec

 

ok mines doing the same thing sounding lika Roo....I've replaced the headgasket, cap rotor, and plugs.. could it be a fuel problem?

 

did you ever find out?