I am helping a firend diagnose a strange problem with their 2002 civic. It is an automatic and I believe it is the EX version. Here is the problem:

They say it first happened years ago, but it didn't happen very often. Over this summer it has happened more, and now that it is getting cold it happens more often. When they start the car in the morning, no problems. but for example they park it at work and then go to leave for lunch or at the end of the day it happens.

They will start and it starts fine, when they try to rev it up at all the engine falls on its face, barely staying at 1k rpm, the engine it bucking around in the motor mounts, clear that it is misfiring or something. but it doesn't happen all the time, and if it s happening it will all of a sudden clear up and rev normally. but next time she tries to take off it might do it again. Really strange issue.

What could it be? are there anything specific i should watch out for? i am going to look at it tomorrow and see it anything stands out.

Thanks!

 

Questions I would have if I had this issue:

Fuel pump failing?
Clogged fuel filter?
Clogged catalytic converter?
Failing TPS?
Water leaking into the fuel tank?

Any engine mods?

 

Bad gas?
Bad injectors?
Any codes?

 

those were some of the things was thinking, no codes, no mods. the gas i think would be fine because it has been doing it for years, regardless of new gas or not. But the pressure regulator might be an issue. but it is strange that it fixes it self. TPS could be a possibility. I unfortunately wont be getting a chance to check it out today, looks like it will have to wait till next week.

 

Just a thought, I had problems with a bad intake temp sensor. It was fine warming up on a cold morning. When I went to drive to work, it all but die. It kicked my butt for days. Strangely it never had a code. Hope it helps.