im seeing that every time i start up my 96 accord 2.2, it struggles at the start (lke rough idle) for about 2 seconds and then its smooth from there.

is it a weak battery? clogged egr? needs valve adjustment?

thanks

 

i forgot to add that it cranks fine its just after motor is on, it struggles/shudders for 2-3 seconds and then runs normally/

 

Try cleaning out your EGR first. But, there might be some other issues; just can't think of anything that would cause it to do that.

Before I cleaned out my EGR ports, my car would sorta sputter while keeping a steady pace on the highway. Its very annoying. So after those ports are opened up and free, car ran smoother than ever and no more sputtering.

 

yeah but my car doesnt sputter after 3 seconds of the engine being on. it only has this problem at the beginning of being turned on. after that, it drives perfectly normal.

 

Valve adjustment. Happened to a Civic of mine. About two months after I saw those signs, it would not even start up at all.

 

anyone else?

i never did a valve job on it since i got it at 114k miles. now its 190k

 

Has the throttle body and IACV been cleaned? This IACV valve feeds in extra air to adjust the idle rpm.
At 190k miles me too I would consider adjusting the valves (see FAQ).

 

You could always start with the basics and try changing your fuel filter. It could be low fuel pressure in the lines from being parked all night which might be signs of a fuel pressure regulator problem. It could be IACV related, it could be a number of things, but it's always nice to start out with the basics.

 

ugh isnt the fuel filter a PITA to change on our accords?

 

Not really, it's under the master cylinder/intake manifold, but it's really not that hard to change.

 

for the 96 accords? i thought it was on top of the fuel tank? i read you need a crowsfoot to remove it?

 

Why don't you just walk over to your car, open the hood, and look under your master cylinder to confirm?

 

the master cylinder is the black cylinder that connects to the brake fluid reservoir?

 

That's the brake booster, but yeah, it's underneath that. The master cylinder is the aluminum bar shaped thing that the brake reservoir sits on top of.

 

you are correct! it is by the master cylinder.

do i need any special wrenches to pull it out?

 

one more thing, you mentioned fuel pressure regulator. how do i diagnose if my regulator is bad or not?

 

fuel pressure regulator anyone?

 

any CEL?

 

none what so ever. just about twice a week on morning starts.