car is a 98 civic ex
d16y8 pretty much bone stock.

every once in a while it will start to misfire, Its happened about 10 times now. after checking what codes I'm getting when the check engine light comes on I found it is different every time, sometimes cylinder 1 and 2, sometimes all four, sometimes others.

The rpms will start to flutter, but only between 2,000 and 2,400 rpms. it still idles fine and accelerates fine...

the thing is it will randomly go away and happen again weeks or months later.... sometimes it lasts for 5 minutes sometimes for a week.


what the ****????

are there some bad sensors here? do I need new injectors?
I'm a DIY guy, so if someone could point me in the right direction I'd really appreciate it!

thanks so much

 

did you check compression?

 

check out the ICM, ignition control module or buy a new distributor from another motor. it happened to me awhile back. seems like the ICM/dizzy is the culprit

 

common things to solve misfires:
new spark plug wires
new spark plugs
new cap and rotor
new coil
check your timing

 

I had the same issue.

I pulled my spark plugs and they were oil contaminated. So I changed the oil, and threw a can of 4 CYL Engine Restore, and put new plugs in.

All is good to go now.

 

Check under your distributor cap. Make sure everything is tight with no play. Check the contacts. A new cap and rotor will do wonders.

 

**** the icm for now if that was bad you wouldnt be driving it start with simple check plugs for foulness, contamination etc. Check your plug wires easiest way to is find a dark area and look for blue arching. Check dizzy cap and rotor, check coil, icm, play with the timing on the dizzy advance it a bit see if that helps

 

right on guys thanks for the replies. in the course of owning the car over 3 years now I have done 3 full tune ups. cap,rotor, wires, plugs. it has happened before and after all of them. the only thing I didn't mention is the exhaust system has been a pain in the ***. i bought the car with an off brand 4-2-1 stainless steel exhaust system. the gasket between the 4 and 2 has blown twice (probably warped by now) and now there are a few pencil width holes that some how appeared throughout the system.

could an exhaust leak/lack of back pressure be the overall cause of this?

to 99civ- checked the compression when I changed the timing belt/water pump/oil pump.

I will go check out the ICM when I replace the exhaust with my tax return!

thanks for the help everyone! really appreciate it

Jesse

 

Back pressure is a myth.