My 148k mile 4cyl accord has an intermittent problem. Sometimes I can take it to red line and it is smooth as can be and sounds healthy. Sometimes, especially in first gear, but also in others, when it's revving up the engine sound changes as if its missing or the timing is off. I lose about 15% power, similar to having the a/c on, but the power comes and goes until I hit redline and start again in the next gear. There is also a metal rattle sound, that only occurs when this 'mystery problem' occurs, and i assumed it is just from the addition vibration that is being caused. I changed the spark plugs to oem but it still does it.

Could it be a bad coil pack?

 

Has your check engine light been on?

 

Nope, except one time when I was taking an offramp at 50mph making the tires screech for the entire length of the ramp, and then light came on for low oil pressure.

 

Have you checked your timing chain for looseness?

 

No I haven't, is it located with the accessories or on the back of the engine?

 

You'll have to pull off the valve cover to check it. After you've taken the valve cover off put a 19mm socket on the crank pulley and rotate the engine clockwise, checking for any looseness every few turns. There should be NO looseness whatsoever in the chain.

 

hrmm i guess that doesnt sound too hard, can i re-use the valve cover gasket?

maybe ill just drive it until it explodes..

i have no title for this car because it was sold to me at a government auction that doesnt guarantee old liens are gone, and this one had a giant lien. maybe i should just sell it for parts..

 

I wouldn't reuse the gasket. Checking the chain is not difficult at all. It wouldn't take you more than an hour. Once you get the valve cover off its a piece of cake.