Hello, I have a 1997 Accord Ex, 135K well maintained. I have used it to tow a small boat (14 ft aluminum w/25 HP Evinrude) once a year for about 400 miles round trip. It always towed fine but for the past few years the car has started to misfire (I know it can't really backfire because of the Fuel Injection) and struggle to stay in high gear while towing, it sort of bogs down. If I shift to 3rd gear and keep the rpm at 4000 or so it's okay. The speed limit is 65 and all the traffic goes 75. I try to go about 65-70 or so. If i keep it in third gear and the rpm's high it's okay but I don't want to beat on the engine.

Is there anything that i can do ? The car runs fine with no boat. I was thinking about changing the plugs, wires, checking compression, and doing some fuel system work, like maybe the gas filter etc...

Is there an easy way to trouble shoot the issue ?

Thanks for the help in advance, CH (Don)

 

I assume by you saying well maintained, you changed the plugs and wires? What type of plugs dud you use? Also when's last chance you changed furl filter? You run 87 octane? Try 93, I've heard people say it helps, when towing. Also engine temP nice and steady?

 

4K in 3rd, so it's a manual?
I would suspect that the misfiring is from non functional or clogged EGR valve/passages. With the EGR not functioning you will get bucking or misfiring.
http://www.freewebs.com/hondadude/95...5AccordEGR.htm
http://home.comcast.net/~em-engineering/T2T013.pdf

Those two links will show how to clean the EGR.

If the car is bucking/misfiring there may be a code stored. Have you ever noticed the check engine light come on? Have the ECM checked for codes.

 

A tune up can't hurt, make sure to use ngk

 

Hello, It's an automatic transmission, i believe it have 4 gears, it does better in third gear. I always run 93 octane while towing. I use NGK plugs, I have changed the wires but not the fuel filter, i will change it. I will clean the EGR, thanks for that. I own an OBD2 code puller and there are no code, the engine light did not come on.

So I am gonna do the fuel filter and EGR valve. Thanks for your help. i actually put a trailer hitch on my other car, i forgot about the post, sorry. i appreciate your help, all of you vewry much. CH

 

The engine temp is nice and steady. i have been towing this boat once a year with this car for a long time, only recemntly has it acted up. thanks and i will report back once fixed. CH