My gf has a 92 prelude si auto. Was having some spark plug wire related sputtering for a couple of months. Finally replaced the spark plug wires and valve cover gasket on Sunday. Noticed there was oil in 2 of the spark plug wells, almost covering the plugs. I cleaned the plugs and all and put it all back together. Started perfect, ran with no sputtering. We test drove it 3 times. Sunday night my gf drove it to the store and back (max 3 miles) and the check engine light came on, but was still driving fine. Tuesday morning she leaves for school, she called me and said the CEL was on but it was running fine. As soon as she got there (as she was pulling up to the parking lot entrance actually) the car lost power. The rpm's dropped, she had no power and the car was sputtering badly, she had to coast into the lot. At that time it wouldn't restart.

I got there a few hours later and it came right on, running perfectly fine. Revved it a few times and ran it for about 5 min. We decided to see what it'd do and started towards home, about 1/4 mile down the road it did it again. No power and bad sputtering/clanking. After tinkering/sitting for awhile was able to get it to start back up for 2-3 min, sounded fine. At this point the CEL hasn't been on once since we pulled out of the parking lot. Ended up having to have it towed.

Yesterday I noticed the coil wasn't getting spark, it was under warranty so we got that part this morning. It started beautifully, no hesitation, and ran smooth as could be. Ran perfect for about 10 min, revved it twice and then it just shut off. I was able to get it to start up right after but it was sputtering and knocking and did some weird engine backfire.

We have NO idea what is going on. I have called about 5 different mechanics and even an engineer that builds race cars.

Here is what we've done/tried so far:
- It's not the main relay. That works fine and we even bought a new one and replaced it. Still doing the same thing.

- The entire distributor (rotor and cap too) in march, along with with original ignition coil. Replaced that ignition coil yesterday.

-Checked timing when it ran this morning and that was fine too.

I really don't think it's mechanical, but I can't think of what else would cause this?! Any ideas???

 

codes????????? can't do anything without that if the light is coming on.

if you happen to burn it. post some pics.

but before you do that..quit guessing and take it to honda. will be cheaper in the long run if you do not possess the diagnostic skills to figure it out.

I've been turning wrench for 20 years and too many times I see parts changed unnecessarily due to poor diag. Sometimes it's less frustrating and costly to pay a pro.

Good Luck.

 

Go to Autozone and have them scan it for codes for free. Even if the CEL isn't on it'll still have the codes stored.

It does sound electrical in nature. Start by checking/repairing grounds. There should be one going from the engine block to radiator support and one under each fender.

Also, try starting the car and wiggling wires to see if that has any affect.

 

CHECK WHAT THE CODE IS FIRST!!! after that we can further assist you

 

i know this will probably be dumb out put.... but are you sure you didnt switch the wire from distributor to sparkplugs maybe got them mixed up somehow?

 

Is the set screw on the rotor tight?

 

Double check the timing, that happen to me on my F22b1 With manual tensioner, I dont know how but the screw that holds the tensioner Was losed, the exact same problrm that is happening to you happen to me, afther driving it the car died, then I try to get it back on and nothing, after 20 minures car will turn on and drive good, Also check your wires again.

 

Ignition components sound more likely, but it could be a fueling issue too. Bad injectors, resistor box or drivers inside the ECU are all possibilities, as well as the fuel pump.

 

I would say its the ignition control module inside the dizzy. very easy to test just pull it out and take it to auto zone. that happened to me where my lude would just die and after a couple hours it would start up again. the solder on the contacts of the icm get hot as the engine warms up and they seperate. as soon ad the engine cools down those solder points settle again. anyway I would take that part in and get it tested. it cost roughly 60. good luck.


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Go to your local Honda and buy a set of OEM wires, as easy as it sounds sometimes it can be overlooked. Hope this helps.

 

have you checked the spark plugs again to see if they are oiled up your valve cover gasket could be leaking causing them to fill the spark tubes?

 

^ This. Did you fix the oil leak or just clean up the oil and reassemble? If the oil leak continues, so will the misfire.

 

^^^^

I thought that was the most obvious answer. Pull the spark plugs. Are they all oiled up? if so check the valve cover gasket, if all looks well start looking into things like piston rings.

Check your oil, loosing any?