Where is the Fuel Filter located on this car? And would it be possible that it is making my RPM's on my car rev down at any moment and sometimes shut the car off?

 

Should be on the firewall just on the passenger side. Look for the black box with all the vacuum lines running out of it. It is under that box.

No, I don't believe that is your problem with the idle/rev problem. If you starve the fuel rail if normally just dies. Injectors don't operate under a certain pressure. Very unlikely you are riding that knife's edge on the pressure threshold from the filter. Fuel filters are cheap maintenance, so do check that. Also look at your Main Relay. It controls the fuel pump and in early stages of failure can cause pressure fluctuations in the fuel line. They are perhaps the most notorious issues with Hondas of that period. Lot's of good information all over the web on how to inspect, repair, or replace a main relay. Does the stumbling/surging of idle happen when it is warm in the cabin?

Honda's of this age have this problem frequently. Search for FITV and IACV as well as throttle body and ERG valve cleaning. These are inexpensive preventative maintenance if nothing else.

 

As TejasNW says, the fuel filter is not really a suspect. Idle hunting is a favorite hobby of Hondas, with low coolant or a bubble in the coolant being one of the most common causes. Either way, the lack of coolant getting to the Fast Idle Thermo Valve at idle causes the valve to open, raising the idle and getting hot coolant to the FITV, which then closes and drops the idle... over and over. Stallling is a little extreme but it can happen. With the engine cold (for safety) open the bleed nipple - on the housing where the upper radiator hose attaches at the engine - about half a turn with a 12 mm socket. Close it when a steady stream of coolant comes out and top up the radiator with proper coolant and purified water.

A more harsh idle hunting occurs if the intake manifold gasket shatters. The idle will transition from a couple thousand rpm suddenly to near stall, then will go right back to high rpm, like clockwork every 2-3 seconds. It is caused by the ECU hunting for the right mixture and idle setting, neither of which is possible with a big manifold gasket leak.

 

Flagmichael,

Good point on the coolant bleed. I have not personally experienced it, but have often heard it is a common problem. I forget that easy (free) fix as the first step. Good advice.

On the manifold leak diagnosis, is there a way to isolate the ECM (via fuse, service port jumper, etc...) to take it out of the loop? I have done this before, albeit on much more 'primitive' early model PCM's. The engine still ran, but the computer was dormant. I suspect not, but would be interested in learning.

I ask here because it would be a quick check for the manifold leak. It idle stabilized with ECM asleep, then it would suggest a mixture problem as you pointed out. What is your preferred method to check for intake manifold leaks? With vacuum line leaks, one would use soapy water, but since this is the intake for your engine, perhaps not the best way.

 

Amberleakay,

In answer to your question on where a fuel filter is, look at the first picture in this post. The red arrow at the top of the picture points to it (roughly.) It is the two bolts peeking out from under the hose he is referring to.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-accord-1990-2002-2/90-accord-lx-not-starting-please-help-2996306/

 

Vacuum leaks are checked with a fuel source, typically propane. You can use carb cleaner, too.

Also, I have never replaced a fuel filter on a Honda to correct a drivability problem.